Best Nonfiction Finalist, Stanford University– William Saroyan International Prize.

Moving memoirs, every student should read. –OnlineCollege

In 1960s Iran, amidst the poignant aftermath of his parents' divorce, a young boy roams the streets of Mashhad, searching for a sense of belonging in the shadows of despair. As he stands on the brink of desolation, an unforeseen bond with a wise teenager brings a glimmer of hope. Solacers paints a vivid tableau, rich with intricate character depths, evocative dialogues, and the intricate tapestry of a city in flux. It is not just a memoir; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. This beautifully constructed narrative pulsates with heartfelt emotions, showcasing the power we all hold to cast light upon our darkest days. Engross yourself in a story that will remain etched in your heart, reaffirming that with faith and vision, brighter horizons are always within our grasp.

The boy’s relationship with any one of the people in his life would be the stuff of awards-nominated novels and Oscar-bait films.–Anthony R. Cardno, Author.

He was neither an orphan nor a street kid, but life dealt him such a hand that now, those who hear the story of his childhood in Iran consider him an Oliver Twist in the streets of Mashhad.–BBC

If you devoured “The Glass Castle,” vividly remember “Angela's Ashes,” and were fascinated by “Destined to Witness,” if you loved the colorful descriptions, the oriental storytelling, and the ornate language of Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner,” you will definitely get your money’s worth reading “Solacers,” by the American author Arion Golmakani.–J. Brocker, Westfälische Nachrichten.

Congratulation on writing such a first-class book.–Ehsan Yarshater, Author of Encyclopedia Iranica, founder, and director of The Center for Iranian Studies, and Emeritus Professor of Iranian Studies at Colombia University.

A story of hope, determination, and forgiveness, Solacers is a remarkable tale of resilience and optimism, with lessons for us all. Golmakani gives voice to children everywhere who long for nurturing and hunger for security. –Hans J. Massaquoi, retired managing editor of Ebony Magazine and the author of the best-selling book, Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany.