“Forty Years Old” (Chehel Salegi) by Nahid Tabatabai is a short yet powerful contemporary Iranian novel that delves into the emotional and psychological landscape of a woman approaching her forties. The protagonist reflects on her marriage, motherhood, unfulfilled dreams, and internal conflicts, triggering a midlife introspection that challenges her sense of identity and place in the world.

With a smooth and intimate narrative style, Tabatabai explores feminine experiences that are often underrepresented in mainstream literature—portraying the tension between personal desires and societal expectations. Forty Years Old is a portrait of women navigating life between tradition and modernity, searching for meaning, autonomy, and emotional truth.

This novel is a memorable contribution to contemporary Persian literature and particularly resonates with readers interested in psychological, social, and women-centered narratives.