5 Souls with Asif Menghrani

When I first met Asif Menghrani to discuss his forthcoming talk at Centrepoint I was instantly struck by his fierce good looks, old-school charm and natural amiability. We talked first about our respective origins, which is how I learned that he was born and raised in Britain and is now a Basel-based Digital Transformation Strategist. He is also a passionate watch collector who became fascinated with old timepieces after observing that even mechanical precision becomes poetic when guided by grace.

Transformation, poetry, time… All three factors come together in his book 5 Souls, a collection of short stories in the spirit of The Alchemist, The Conference of the Birds, and The Kite Runner. Its five autonomous chapters unfurl a rich tapestry woven from spiritual allegory, emotional truth and the redemptive power of parable. The settings range from Soviet battlefields to Persian villages, from a master watchmaker’s library to Woodstock’s chaotic beauty. What they share is the discovery, or rather the insight, that the only true measure of time is the transformation it leaves behind.

Consequently, when Asif Menghrani comes to Centrepoint to present 5 Souls on August 27^th, the talk is likely to be more about meaning than about plot and character. In addition to readings from the book there will be opportunities for conversation, reflection and even some soul-searching in the very best sense of the word. If you would like to read one or more of the stories in advance the eBook edition of 5 Souls can be purchased for a token price from Orell Füssli or Amazon, while those who still prefer the tactile experience of paper can purchase a hard copy from Bider and Tanner. We look forward to seeing you there.

Text by Bronwen Saunders