Farewell, Aylis

The three novellas ofFarewell, Aylistake place over decades of transition in a country that rather resembles modern-day Azerbaijan. InYemen, a Soviet traveler takes an afternoon stroll and finds himself suspected of defecting to America. InStone Dreams, an actor explores the limits of one man's ability to live a moral life amid conditions of sociopolitical upheaval, ethnic cleansing, and petty professional intrigue. InA Colossal Mess, those who serve the aging leader of a corrupt, oil-rich country scheme to stay alive.Farewell, Aylis, a new essay by the author that reflects on the political firestorm surrounding these novellas and his current situation as a prisoner of conscience in Azerbaijan, was commissioned especially for this Academic Studies Press edition.