What happens when a ruler decides that being tall or having a small nose is a crime punishable by exile?

In The Dwarf King and Forty Big Troubles, Mehdi Mirkiaei weaves a whimsical and satirical tale about a petty tyrant with a very big nose. In his kingdom, physical traits become political crimes, and anyone who doesn't fit the king's mold is banished to the freezing cold lands. His bizarre whims don't stop at people; even trees and birds are subject to his absurd punishments.

Winner of the Book of the Year Award in Iran, this story uses humor and allegory to explore the nature of power, intolerance, and the trouble that ensues when a small leader tries to cast a shadow bigger than himself.