Memories of an Impossible Future: Mehdi Akhav膩n S膩les and the Poetics of Time
In Memories of an Impossible Future: Mehdi Akhav膩n S膩les and the Poetics of Time Marie Huber traces the quest for a modern language of poetry through different figurations of temporality in the works of one of Iran鈥檚 foremost poets. Akhav膩n is placed in dialogue with European thinkers and emerges as an original voice in world literature. Chapters examine aspects of rhythm and metaphor, messianism and historicity, and functions of time in Akhav膩n鈥檚 lyric and epic poems. Through a range of close readings Huber seeks to understand Akhav膩n鈥檚 texts as crystallisations of a historical moment, both rooted in the Persian tradition and pointing beyond it. Her analyses combine attention to philological detail with meditations on the philosophical significance of Akhav膩n鈥檚 poetics.