Fereshteh Sari

Fereshteh Sari is the author of eight books of poetry, six novels, two story collections, a children’s book, and a number of translations, including the selected poems of Boris Pasternak. During the Iran–Iraq War, Sari was one of the few poets to use simple observation and strong imagery to depict war’s devastating impact on ordinary citizens. Her poetry collection Days and Letters won the Parvin Etesami Prize in 2004. She has also received a fellowship from the International Parliament of Writers, a Hellman/Hammett Human Rights Watch grant, and the Erich Maria Remarque Prize. In 2009, Sari was given the Khorshid Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes established Iranian women writers. (updated 10/2025)