Mirrors of the Unseen. Journeys in Iran (Picador)

Drawing on three years of travel and research, Mirrors of the Unseen offers a rare and timely portrait of Iran, introducing us to the sublime architecture of Isfahan, the forests of the north, the bleak landscapes of Kurdistan and the urban contradictions of the capital, Tehran. An exploration of Iran's immensely rich heritage and a personal enquiry into the nature of Persian and Islamic art, it is a book rich in detail, wit and discovery.

'A work of profound thought, imagination, passion and ambition' Sara Wheeler, Guardian

'Masterfully comprehensible accounts of Iran's long and complex history, beautiful impassioned descriptions of Islamic art and architecture, some surprising and fascinating encounters with the locals - this is travel writing at its very best' Daily Mail

'Informed by intelligence, humour, erudition, descriptive power and poetic prose, Mirrors of the Unseen is a joy to read' Independent