The King
2016 Nominated

The King

Translated from the Dutch by Nancy Forest-Flier
artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

It is the nineteenth century and the kingdom of Persia is at a turning point. When a young King, Shah Naser, takes to the throne he inherits a medieval, enchanted world. But beyond the court, the greater forces of colonisation and industrialisation close in. The Shah’s grand vizier sees only one solution – to open up to the outside world, and to bring Persia into modernity. But the Shah’s mother fiercely opposes the vizier’s reforms and sets about poisoning her son’s mind against his advisor.

With bloody battles, intrigue and extraordinary characters, The King brings a historical moment brilliantly to life. Reading as fairy tale and shedding light on a pivotal period in history.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Kader
Abdolah

Kader Abdolah was born in Iran in 1954. While a student of physics in Tehran, he joined a secret leftist party that fought against the dictatorship of the shah and the subsequent dictatorship of the ayatollahs. Abdolah wrote for an illegal journal and clandestinely published two books in Iran. In 1988, at the invitation of the United Nations, he arrived in the Netherlands as a political refugee.

Kader Abdolah now writes in Dutch and is the author of several novels, including My Father’s Notebook and two collections of short stories, as well as works of non-fiction.

Kader Abdolah was born in Iran in 1954. While a student of physics in Tehran, he joined a secret leftist party that fought against the dictatorship of the shah and the subsequent dictatorship of the ayatollahs. Abdolah wrote for an illegal journal and clandestinely published two books in Iran. In 1988, at the invitation of the United Nations, he arrived in the Netherlands as a political refugee.

Kader Abdolah now writes in Dutch and is the author of several novels, including My Father’s Notebook and two collections of short stories, as well as works of non-fiction.

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Nancy
Forest-Flier

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
08/01/2015
Country
Iran, The Netherlands
Original Language
Dutch
Author
Publisher
Canongate Books
Translator
Nancy Forest-Flier
Translation
Translated from the Dutch by Nancy Forest-Flier

RELATED FEATURES

Video April 7 2026

The 2026 Shortlist

Discover this year's Dublin Literary Award Shortlist
News April 7 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Shortlist is Announced

Delve into the 6 novels shortlisted this year.
News April 2 2026

Past Winner Spotlight: Michael Crummey

Reflecting on his 2025 Dublin Literary Award win with his novel 'The Adversary', libraries, literature and more.
News March 11 2026

Translator Spotlight: Jo Heinrich

Reflecting on translating the 2023 winning novel 'Marzahn, Mon Amour' and life as a literary translator.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.