Hossein Asgari’s Only Sound Remains delves into themes of confession, culpability, shame, desire, sex, religion, language, poetry, father-son relationships, truth, lies, memory, and history. The narrative intertwines the lives of Saeed, an Iranian-Australian novelist, and his father, Ismael, who visits him in Adelaide. Ismael recounts his unrequited love for Forugh Farrokhzad, a controversial Iranian poet, prompting Saeed to reassess his understanding of his father. The novel explores the complexities of Iranian identity, the impact of political upheavals, and the enduring influence of literature and art. It also examines the challenges of communication, the elusiveness of truth, and the intricate dynamics between personal desires and societal expectations.