Early Years in Iran
Pari Mansouri was born in Tehran, Iran, on January 23rd, 1936. From an early age, she exhibited a passion for teaching, a talent she cultivated even before pursuing higher education.
She graduated from the University of Tehran with a BA in English Literature and an MA in Social Sciences. However, she started teaching even earlier, and dedicated over twenty years to this profession.
She translated and published 9 books by renowned authors such as André Maurois, E. Nesbit, Jules Verne, George Eliot, Ivan Turgenev and Manlio Argueta, showcasing her proficiency in multilingual literary works. Pari received two awards for the best-translated book of the year (Madame Curie) in 1963, highlighting her recognition within the literary community.
In 1976, she emigrated to the UK with her husband Mahmud Kianush and their children, Kaveh and Katayoon, settling in Ealing, London.
Her Time in the UK
In the UK, Pari’s passion for translation and writing thrived. Numerous short stories penned by Pari herself, along with her translations of fellow writers’ pieces, found homes in Persian publications, both in Iran and internationally. Among her noteworthy translations is “One Day of Life,” a novel by Manlio Argueta, which was published in 2005.
Her own published works include, her novel, “Above and Beyond Love”, and three books of short stories called “Entertainment in Exile”, “No, I Was Not Dreaming” and “Freedom dies in a Cage”.
English translations of some of Pari’s short stories have been published in books worldwide. In 2002 her short story “The Glass Marbles” was published in the book “crossing The Border” Voices of Refugee and Exiled Women.
“The Glass Marbles” was also published in 2004 by the Ministry of Education’s National Book Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan, emphasising cross-cultural impact.
Pari’s short story “Anxieties from Across the Water” was published in the book “Another Sea, Another Shore” Persian Stories of Migration in 2004. Her short story “No, I was not Dreaming” was included in textbooks in the Philippines in 2020, expanding her reach to educational settings.
Timeless Legacy of a Masterful Writer & Translator
Pari possessed an exceptional talent for capturing the multifaceted essence of life in her narratives, skilfully portraying its various stages, intricate layers, subtle patterns, and profound complexities.
Through her writing, she consistently strikes a chord with readers spanning generations, evoking deep emotions and fostering a profound sense of empathy and comprehension.
Despite facing health challenges since her early forties, including chronic illnesses exacerbated by the damp weather conditions in the UK, Pari displayed remarkable resilience. Tragically, her journey was cut short when she passed away on April 10th, 2020, due to complications arising from Covid-19.
However, her legacy endures through her literary achievements, which continue to resonate with readers globally. Pari’s writings promote cross-cultural understanding and empathy, reflecting her love for life, nature, and the enduring impact of her positive spirit on those fortunate enough to have encountered her.
In the “Story and Translation Portfolio”, we showcase some of Pari’s stories in English and Persian.
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