What The Book Is About
This beautifully produced picturebook tells the love story of Bijan & Manije, taken from the 10th-century Persian epic poem known as the Shahnameh or Book of Kings. It was originally written in couplets by the renowned Iranian poet Ferdowsi and has been adapted in prose by Ali Seidabadi and further rewritten for UK audiences by Nicolette Jones.
Published in August 2016 by Tiny Owl Books
This particular tale, which is taken from that much longer work, has been adapted in prose for a younger audience by Ali Seidabadi and further edited and rewritten for a British audience by the author and editor Nicolette Jones.
Bijan, a brave young Persian knight falls in love with Manije who is a Princess and daughter of his greatest enemy, the tyrant and ruler of the neighbouring territory, King Afrasaib. Manije smuggles Bijan into her palace and seeks to hide him from the tyrant but the lovers are found out and punished.
Bijan is sealed alive into a well by a massive boulder that keeps him imprisoned – but he is kept alive by Manije who is able to get food and drink to him via a small gap between the huge stone and the edge of the well. News of Bijan’s plight finds its way home and, desperate to get him released, King Khosrow of the Persians calls on the renowned warrior Rostam to help because he is:
‘Iran’s greatest knight, it’s undefeated hero, known for his horned helmet, his blue beard, his superhuman strength and his cunning.’