The Morning After (, lit. Bamdad-e Khomar) and also as Drunkard Morning, is a novel by Iranian author Fattaneh Haj Seyed Javadi, first published in 1995 (1374 SH). The story depicts a tragic love between a young aristocratic woman and a carpenter from the lower class. It became one of the best-selling novels of contemporary Iranian literature and is often cited as a representative example of modern popular fiction in Iran.
The Morning After reportedly sold about 150,000 copies within its first two years, and reached an estimated total of 300,000 copies during the first decade after its publication, with some editions having print runs ranging from 10,000 to 18,000 copies. The novel provoked strong reactions: supporters considered it a useful moral tale about love and social boundaries, while critics accused it of defending upper-class privilege and demeaning the lower classes.
A German translation by Susan Baghstani was published in Germany with several reprints. An English translation titled The Morning After, translated by Niloufar Madjlessi, was published by Firouz Media in 2022.
Sudabeh, a young woman from a wealthy family, wishes to marry a man below her social status. Her mother urges her to learn from Mahbubeh, SudabehâÂÂs aunt, whose life story the novel recounts.
Mahbubeh, daughter of Basir-al-Molk, falls in love with Rahim, a carpenterâÂÂs apprentice. Despite her familyâÂÂs objections, she insists on marrying him and is subsequently disowned. Her father buys Rahim a small house and a workshop, but Rahim soon spends their income on drinking and becomes abusive. MahbubehâÂÂs mother-in-law dominates their household, humiliates Mahbubeh, and destroys what remains of her dignity.
Mahbubeh bears one son who later drowns due to negligence, suffers a miscarriage, and becomes infertile. Rahim, resentful and greedy, tries to seize her property. After seven years of misery, Mahbubeh escapes back to her fatherâÂÂs home and divorces Rahim. She later marries her cousin MansourâÂÂonce her suitorâÂÂwho is now married with children, becoming his third wife. Childless and remorseful, Mahbubeh recognises that defying her familyâÂÂs advice has led to lifelong regret.
Following the success of Bamdad-e Khomar, a novel titled Shab SarÃÂb (Night Mirage) by Nahid A. Pezhvak was published by the same publisher, Nashr Alborz. It retells the same story from RahimâÂÂs point of view. Javadi sued Pezhvak for plagiarism, and the controversy boosted sales of both books.
In 2025, a television adaptation titled Bamdad-e Khomar was released, written by Hossein Kiani and streamed on the Shida platform. The theme song, sung by Mohsen Chavoshi, used lyrics by Hafez and was also titled Bamdad-e Khomar.