If Only I Were a Bit Older

If Only I Were a Bit Older is mainly about the Iran-Iraq war. The book focuses on Sohrab's life during that war. Sohrab was 12 years old.[2] In 1980, a surprise attack on the Iranian city of Abadan marked the beginning of the Iran-Iraq war. Hundreds of thousands of people fled the badly damaged city but a small number of civilians chose to stay, living in a city under siege. The story focuses on the experiences of Sohrab, a young soldier defending his hometown.[3]

The book was first published in Persian as If Only I Were a Bit Older in 2007. The original book was translated into English by Sofia Koutlaki in 2012. The English version was launched at the 64th Frankfurt Book Fair.[4]

Sofia Koutlaki is an independent researcher and author, born in Athens, but equally at home in Iran, Britain and Greece. Koutlaki has written Among the Iranians about Iran’s culture and customs based on a mix of personal observation and intercultural theory.[5] Her book was released by Nicholas Brealey Publishing in April 2010.[6]

This book had received an award at the 2nd festival organized by the Qom Seminary.[7] The book has received the 4th Book of the Season Award in 2007. If Only I Were a Bit Older was named the 12th Sacred Defense Book of the Year in the children’s book category in 2007 and 2008.[8]

• One Woman's War: Da (Mother)
• Noureddin, Son of Iran
• The Night Bus
• That Which That Orphan Saw
• Eternal Fragrance
• Fortune Told in Blood
• Journey to Heading 270 Degrees
• Baba Nazar (book)

• Onelight Theatre, project of Chess with the Doomsday Machine
• Theatre Nova Scotia
• Chess with the Doomsday Machine: Canadian debut presented by Onelight Theatre