Ali Alizadeh

Towards the End presents the contemporary world as broken and dying, a world that is moving irreversibly towards collapse as well as rebirth. The collection begins with the speaker’s disillusion with the ideals of capitalism, and the ironic realisation that happiness and prosperity may no longer be attainable. The middle section of the collection reflects, with dark humour and a controlled anger, on the dysfunction of our socio-political systems and the signs of their disintegration. The final poems in the book imagine a universal humanity beyond the failures of the contemporary world, and prophesy global resistance, rejuvenation and revolution. The collection may be described as a fusion of social satire, gothic dystopia and historical materialism, interwoven with autobiographical reflection.

Ali Alizadeh’s novel The Last Days of Jeanne d’Arc is a provocative new portrait of one of history’s most captivating and mysterious figures. Countless books have been written about the young Frenchwoman who claimed to hear the voices of saints, led the armies of France in the war against England in the Middle Ages, and was captured and burnt for heresy by her enemies. Driven by a passion for justice and forbidden desire, her courage changed the course of Western history.

Alizadeh’s innovative storytelling is based on rigorous study of the historical material, and draws on his lifelong fascination with this enigmatic icon. His reimagining of Jeanne’s story weaves together multiple narrative perspectives to illuminate her presence as a figure of history, myth and obsession.