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Dina Nayeri's 'A Happy Death' Explores Midlife Chaos
5 Aug
Summary
- A former consultant seeks contentment by moving from New York to Edinburgh.
- The protagonist restarts life with jiu-jitsu, antidepressants, and new relationships.
- Author Dina Nayeri describes the novel as her most personal and authentic work.

Dina Nayeri's new novel, "A Happy Death," is set to be released in spring 2027. The story centers on Mina, a former consultant who leaves her life in New York behind to seek contentment in Edinburgh.
Mina attempts to restart her life as a freelancer through a combination of jiu-jitsu, antidepressants, and new relationships. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets an alluring older woman, whose own complex life mirrors Mina's.
Nayeri characterizes "A Happy Death" as a deeply personal work, reflecting her own experiences with middle age. She describes it as her most honest writing, written in her natural, uninhibited voice, exploring themes of laziness, play, and the unexpected turns life can take.