A literary testimony from Afghanistan

In his urgent novel "Midnight collector" Zia Qasemi tells the story of Musa, a symbolic character that stands for the political and social upheavals in Afghanistan. Growing up in the small village PowderedMusa meets everyday life with courage and dignity - until his tragic death changes everything due to the cruelty of the Taliban.

Qasemi draws an authentic picture of village life, embedded in the cultural traditions and social structures of Afghanistan. Musas' death becomes a shattering turning point that leaves the entire village in grief and fear. But at the same time there are also traces of hope and resistance.

With poetic language and deep compassion, Qasemi interweaves personal fates with historical realities - a moving book about loss, humanity and survival in dark times.

Translated from the Persian by Kurt Scharf & Ali Abdollahi

Midnight collector_lese sample

novel | 1st edition 2025 | Softcover | 219 pages | 978-3-96202-152-8 | in stock

In the online magazine “Qantara.de” you have the opportunity to read an article about the author Zia Qasemi and his new novel “Mitternachtssammler”. In this, journalist Gerrit Wustmann (author of “Dying in Your Antlers”) takes a look not only at the plot of the novel, but also at its political relevance.

Link to article: https://qantara.de/artikel/mitternachtsammler-zia-qasemi-afghanistan-land-ohne-beine

Zudem gibt es eine spannende Rezension von "Lesenswertes aus dem Bücherhaus".

Link to review: https://lesenswertesausdembuecherhaus.blogspot.com/2025/10/mitternachtsammler-von-zia-qasemis.html