Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Colonel
Historical Fiction· Iran

The Colonel

by Mahmoud Dowlatabadi
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2009Persian
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Few works of historical fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that The Colonel (2009) by Mahmoud Dowlatabadi continues to receive. The Colonel is a gripping novel that delves into the tumultuous history of Iran, examining the impact of political upheaval on a single family. The narrative is a poignant exploration of guilt, loss, and the search for redemption. Dowlatabadi's work is acclaimed for its deep psychological insight and its unflinching portrayal of Iran's modern history. Themes of political upheaval, family tragedy, guilt run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorMahmoud Dowlatabadi
Published2009
Country of Origin🇮🇷 Iran
LanguagePersian
Category🗺️ Historical Fiction
ISBN9781905583570
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🗺️ Historical Fiction

Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

Explore all Historical Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇮🇷 Iran

This book is part of Iran's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Iran →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 2009, Mahmoud Dowlatabadi's The Colonel is a work of historical fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with political upheaval, family tragedy, guilt, redemption gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Its aggregate editorial score of 30/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes The Colonel is how it handles its central concerns — political upheaval, family tragedy, guilt, redemption — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Colonel reflects Mahmoud Dowlatabadi's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Iran's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
notable · global
20120
✍️
About the Author
Mahmoud Dowlatabadi
Iran
View Author →

Mahmoud Dowlatabadi is a Iran author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

The Tribe Manager
The Leadership Companion
The Tribe Manager
Leading People the Way Evolution Intended
Manage with human nature, you get loyalty. Manage against it, you get quiet quitting.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Tin Drum
literary-fiction

The Tin Drum

Günter Grass· 1999
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score98/100
Cover of Celestial Bodies
literary-fiction

Celestial Bodies

Jokha Alharthi· 2010
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score93/100
Cover of A Brief History of Seven Killings
literary-fiction

A Brief History of Seven Killings

Marlon James· 2015
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score89/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Colonel about?

The Colonel is a gripping novel that delves into the tumultuous history of Iran, examining the impact of political upheaval on a single family. The narrative is a poignant exploration of guilt, loss, and the search for redemption. Dowlatabadi's work is acclaimed for its deep psychological insight and its unflinching portrayal of Iran's modern history.

Who wrote The Colonel?

The Colonel was written by Mahmoud Dowlatabadi, from Iran. First published in 2009.

What awards has The Colonel won?

The Colonel has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Colonel worth reading?

The Colonel is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in political upheaval, family tragedy, guilt.

Where can I buy The Colonel?

You can buy The Colonel on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Colonel?

The Colonel is classified as Historical Fiction. Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

What country is The Colonel from?

The Colonel originates from Iran's literary tradition. Explore more books from Iran on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🗺️More Historical FictionBrowse all Historical Fiction books🇮🇷Books from Iran🇮🇷 Iran literature📅2000s BooksPublished in the 2000s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time