Once Upon a Time in Uppsala

Shirin has just arrived from war-stricken Iran to Sweden – her new home. Her and her family must learn to acclimatise to the weather, culture and socialisation of Sweden whilst still staying in touch with their Iranian heritage.


Along with her response to such things as a traditional Swedish Christmas lunch, the dating rituals of European teenagers or the social dynamics of an unfamiliar and not always friendly classroom are fascinating glimpses into the lives of a varied community of refugees, eccentrics and drop-outs. These are interspersed with traditional Persian fairy tales and nostalgic memories of her beloved grandmother, which sustain her in her new life.


Once Upon A Time in Uppsala is a remarkable, candid and moving account of a sensitive child on the verge of adolescence transplanted from her beloved but suffering homeland into a country which, although politically safe, offers unexpected challenges of its own.


“A book of an unusual charm.”


Irma Kurtz (Author of My Life in Agony, About Time and Agony Aunt for Cosmopolitan)


“This is an exceptionally candid, sensitive and lively account of an immigrant’s experience in an alien society.”


Jonathan Keates (Writer, biographer, novelist and former chairman of the Venice in Peril Fund)


“Honest, unflinching and thought-provoking, this is a book that will stay with me for a long time...”


Awais Khan, (Award-winning author of No Honour)


“A moving and fascinating read about displacement, integration, solidarity and friendship.”


Daphna Baram (Author of Disenchantment, The Guardian and Israel)


“A beautiful, deeply moving account of love, family and friendship. Everyone should read this.”


A.A. Chaudhuri (Best-selling author of The Scribe, The Abduction, She’s Mine and The Loyal Friend)


“Perfectly captured that fish-out-of-water feeling of being thrown into a baffling new culture.”


Heleen Kist (Author of What I Hid From You)