Tehran – The Persian translation of “Sam You Reached” by Vietnamese American author Dustin Tao was recently published by the Paydesh Publications in Tehran.
This book has been translated into Persian by Fatemeh Sabeti.
“You’ve Reached Sam” tells the story of 17-year-old Julie. With their small town together, dreaming of going to college and spending the summer in Japan, Julie finds herself caught in grief.
As she tries to deal with it, she skips Sam’s funeral, discards his belongings, and desperately tries to erase the painful memories of their time together.
However, the message Sam leaves in her yearbook brings her back to the past and rekinds her longing for him. In a desperate moment, Julie calls Sam’s phone, hoping to hear him one last time. To her surprise, Sam answers, and in that miraculous moment she is given a second chance to say goodbye. Their conversation becomes Julie’s lifeline and she is able to reunite with Sam in ways she didn’t think it was impossible.
As their calls continue, Julie finds herself falling to Sam again. The emotional pull of their connection complicates her sadness process as they cherish their conversations at the same time as the reality of her absence.
However, we find it increasingly difficult to keep this supernatural link secret. Julie witnesses the pain that Sam’s family endures after her death.
Engraved between her desire to reveal the truth about her call and the fear of losing Sam forever, Julie faces an emotional dilemma. She feels compelled to alleviate the suffering of those around her, including Sam’s family, but doing so may cut off connections with the boy she loves. This internal conflict moves the story forward as Julie navigates the complexities of her sadness, love and loss.
Through heartfelt moments and difficult choices, “You have reached Sam” explores the themes of love, memory and struggle to advance after tragedy. Julie’s journey is one of self-discovery and acceptance as she learns to respect Sam’s memory while finding her progress. Ultimately, the story captures the bittersweet nature of love that transcends death, reminding readers of the enduring bonds that shape our lives.
sab/