Azar Nafisi is an Iranian-American writer and professor of English literature, renowned for her enchanting narrative style and profound insights into culture, politics, and the human condition. Born in Tehran, Iran, in 1948, she moved to the United States in 1997, where she has since lived and worked. In 2008, Nafisi became a U.S. citizen, further solidifying her ties to her adopted country.

Nafisi has held prestigious academic positions, demonstrating her commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding across cultures. She has served as the director of the Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Dialogue Project and Cultural Conversations, a Georgetown Walsh School of Foreign Service, and a Centennial Fellow. Additionally, she was a fellow at Oxford University, highlighting her international influence and respect in academic circles.

Her most celebrated work, Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books, published in 2003, has captivated readers worldwide. The memoir spent 117 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list and has been translated into 32 languages, earning Nafisi numerous literary awards, including the 2004 Non-fiction Book of the Year Award from Booksense.

Nafisi's literary portfolio extends beyond Reading Lolita in Tehran. She has authored several other notable works, such as Things I've Been Silent About: Memories of a Prodigal Daughter, The Republic of Imagination: America in Three Books, and That Other World: Nabokov and the Puzzle of Exile. Her latest book, Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times, published in March 2022, continues to explore the transformative power of literature.

Azar Nafisi's contributions to literature and academia have not only broadened our understanding of the intricate relationship between literature and society but have also inspired countless individuals to explore the depths of their own experiences through the written word.