The Clown (novel)
(دلقک)
Author: Hoda Hadadi
Kanoon
Iran 2012
“The Clown” is the only novel Hoda has written so far. It tells the story of a little girl from the “clown” minority who accidentally enters the life of a college girl and transforms her from a bitter and angry person into a happy and funny one.
This groundbreaking novel, written in colloquial language, sparked anger among some in society and critics the year it was published, both for its disruption of language norms and for its content and themes.
However, the event Hoda was waiting for, happened: children loved the novel, and it became one of the most popular young adult novels in Iran.
Though the novel was boycotted by Iranian festivals and judges, it quickly found its place among its primary audience.
The children who grew up with this novel are now Hoda’s good friends. Hoda still receives enthusiastic E-mails from a new generation of “Clown” readers and has promised the children that she will write another novel for them in the coming years.