In the heart of Paris, within the sterile confines of a fertility clinic, Kimiâ Sadr's life unfolds in a narrative as rich and intricate as the Persian carpets of her homeland. "Disoriental" by Négar Djavadi weaves the vibrant threads of Kimiâ's family saga against the backdrop of a tumultuous Iranian history, capturing the essence of displacement and the quest for identity. From the grandiose tales of her great-grandfather Montazemolmolk with his extensive harem to the revolutionary fervor of her parents, Darius and Sara, who sought refuge from the clutches of oppressive regimes, Kimiâ's heritage is a tapestry of defiance, passion, and resilience. As she sits in the purgatory of the clinic, the ghosts of her ancestors crowd around her, their stories interlacing with her present and challenging her future. "Disoriental" is not just a story about fleeing one's country; it is an intimate exploration of what it means to stand at the crossroads of past and future, East and West. Kimiâ herself embodies this junction—a punk-rock enthusiast and a modern Scheherazade, her narrative is a bridge between worlds, a "disorientalization" that defies traditional boundaries. Djavadi's novel is a testament to the power of storytelling, where history and memory converge to create a stunning portrait of a woman navigating the complexities of belonging, identity, and the enduring legacy of one's roots. With its lyrical prose and vivid imagery, "Disoriental" captivates and transports, making visible the invisible ties that bind us to our ancestry and to each other.