37 pages • 1 hour read
The Blind Owl
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
148
Novel • Fiction
Iran • 1930s
1936
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat is a fragmented, symbolic narrative told by an unreliable narrator who falls into mental and physical decline due to unfulfilled desire for a beautiful woman he ultimately murders. The narrator recounts two parallel versions of events: his increasingly withdrawn and substance-dependent life haunted by visions of the woman, and his troubled domestic life leading to the murder of his wife. The book contains depictions of sexual assault, murder, necrophilia, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, and stillbirth.
Dark
Mysterious
Melancholic
Unnerving
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
30,116 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Sadegh Hedayat's The Blind Owl is heralded as a masterpiece of Persian literature, known for its profound existential themes and dark, surreal narrative. Critics praise its poetic prose and psychological depth. However, some find its abstract style and bleak outlook challenging. Readers appreciate its emotional intensity but note it may not appeal to everyone.
Who Should Read The Blind Owl?
Readers who appreciate existentialist and surrealist literature, such as Kafka’s The Metamorphosis or Camus’ The Stranger, will be drawn to Sadegh Hedayat’s The Blind Owl. Its haunting narrative and exploration of themes like despair, isolation, and the human psyche cater to those who enjoy dark, introspective works.
30,116 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
148
Novel • Fiction
Iran • 1930s
1936
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.