In 1999, a year before his death from a long and untimely illness and on his last reading tour in the U.S., I spoke with my uncle, Fereydoon Moshiri about my then immature plan to write a novel with the central imagery of the Simorgh, the legendary bird of the Persian mythology—the Bird of Knowledge. I remember that he was delighted and encouraged me to begin the novel. After he returned to Iran, he sent me a kind letter with useful references. He did not live longer to see the finished work, but his encouragement kept me going throughout the years of drafting the novel. This book is for him.
My special thanks go to the writer and publisher Jerry Gold who has always supported me and to my agent Lorella Belli and Sandstone Press who made the U.K publication of this novel possible.
I’m also thankful of my friend and colleague, Dr. Jane Creighton, who read a very early draft of this novel, years ago, and encouraged me to go on.
And finally, for their unconditional love, I thank my husband, David, and my son, Anoosh, who are the foundations of my life.