Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji
Release date: 2009 / 345 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): In a middle-class neighborhood in Iran’s sprawling capital city, seventeen-year-old Pasha Shahed spends the summer of 1973 on his rooftop with his best friend, Ahmed, joking around and talking about the future. Even as Pasha asks burning questions about life, he also wrestles with a crushing secret. He has fallen in love with his beautiful neighbor Zari, who has been betrothed since birth to another man. And despite Pasha’s guilt-ridden feelings for her, over the long, hot days his tentative friendship with Zari deepens into a rich emotional bond.
First line: “I hear someone’s voice chanting, and the repetitive verses lap like water at the edge of my consciousness.”
Review: Boy, do I want to do this novel justice in this review! First, this is the most enjoyable, thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, (yet joyful) novel I have read in months. There. How’s that for an opening?!
I sat down to begin Rooftops last Tuesday and did not surface until page 150, when I was “rudely” interrupted by an online student needing help with an essay. After the opening scene on the rooftop, I felt as if I knew the narrator, Pasha, and his best friend Ahmed intimately — the characters in this novel will linger for a long time.
I do already have a fondness for Iran due to a lovely friendship I inherited when I met my husband, and this novel allowed me to experience and ultimately understand how the political machinations of any government ultimately affect the individuals in their care. However, the beauty of this novel is that Seraji never objectifies (or glorifies or denigrates) Iran. Instead, he presents a group of friends who we fall deeply in love with and witness, fearfully, how they are affected by the Shah’s oppressive regime.
And I do not use the word “love” lightly throughout this review – this is truly what Rooftops of Tehran is about: Romantic love, fraternal love, bibliophilic love (did I invent that word, book lovers?), love of country, paternal and maternal love. Love runs throughout the sometimes horrifying events of the narration and allows the light of hope to shine brighter than the darkness of even the most oppressive regime.
Another concept that warms this novel is that of “That”:
“‘That’ is all about honor, friendship, love, giving it all you have, living an alert life and not pretending ignorance because it’s an easier way out — all those things packaged together, isn’t it?”
This reminded me of the “What” in “What is the What” — and I so admire writers for putting into words concepts that most of us perceive, yet are unable to articulate.
To whet your reading appetites, let me end with a few passages of Seraji’s prose:
“Zari and I are walking up a hill that’s engulfed in a hazy mist. Down below, the prairies are wrapped in withered green weeds. The wind blows in more than one direction and the grass bends and twists passively. The skies above are an inky blue and free of the charcoal darkness that normally accentuates the luster of the stars at night. There’s a marvelous scent in the air, refreshing and clean, that leaves my nostrils craving more, my lungs longing for a finer share.”
“Zari turns around and stares right at me with a puzzled but thoughtful, crooked smile. Her gaze is loaded with questions, the kind that strike the mind like a flash of lightning, momentarily illuminating your surroundings then leaving you wondering, in the ensuing darkness, what you actually saw.”
To be honest, I hate to give this novel away since I loved it so much… But I was going to allow my desire to share outweigh my selfishness… until the author offered to give-away TWO copies! :) So, if you are interested, please let me know in the comments and I will choose a very lucky winner soon.
By the way, if you missed it yesterday (or wondered why I was interviewing an author I had not yet reviewed), please check out my interview with Mahbod Seraji. He generously responded to my request within an hour and I think you will find his answers fascinating, even before you read his novel.
I’d love to read this book. Please enter me. Thank you.
I can’t pass up a chance to win this after your review!
Hope you’re enjoying the beautiful weather lately!
I swore to myself that I wasn’t going to enter any more giveaways, but this book has definitely caught my eye. And then, I read your wonderful review and I just have to have it!
bookingmama(at)comcast(dot)net
Wow, the book sounds fantastic. I’d love to have the chance to read it! Thanks for the chance to win.
Oh good! I’m so glad I already have interested readers!! Thank you, Sandras, Laura, and Julie P.!
I am so intrigued reading about this book–after your stellar review and because I am currently deep into reading Nine Parts of Desire: the Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks. I can’t learn enough about this part of the world–I loved Not Without My Daughter, The Kabul Beauty School and Reading Lolita in Iran. I also enjoyed yesterday’s interview with Mahbod Seraji, too! Please enter me into your giveaway for this new and fascinating book!
I would love to be entered. I loved “Reading Lolita” and try to get my hands on anything about Iran. Thank you!!
Thank you for the review.
I would love to read this!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi Kristin,
I’m so intrigued by this new title and your stellar review–please enter me into the giveaway for “Rooftops of Tehran!” I am currently deeply into reading “Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women” by Geraldine Brooks and loved “Reading Lolita in Iran,” “Kabul Beauty School” and “Not Without My Daughter.” This part of the world and its cultural differences, especially for females, is so interesting and informative.
Thanks, Linda
I really would love to read this book. It sounds like a great choice for my book club!! Please enter me. Will you be doing discussion questions??
Thanks-
Leisa
This book sounds fabulous. If I don’t win I will have to get it myself.
sounds great. i would love to win a copy!
I read your review and then was so excited to see you had a giveaway too! I have been fascinated with novels about the middle east lately. I have recently read Kabul Beauty School, Reading Lolita in Tehran, Veil of Roses, and others. Queen Noor was a fascinating nonfiction look at Jordan. I think the middle east is very misunderstood, and reading is a great way to get people to understand!
Kristin,
I’d love to be entered into this free giveaway for ‘Rooftops of Tehran,’ especially after reading your author interview and review! I am deeply into reading ‘Nine Parts of Desire’ by Geraldine Brooks right now and enjoyed ‘Reading Lolita,’ ‘Kabul Beauty School,’ ‘Not Without My Daughter’ and ‘Women Without Men.’ There is so much to learn about the culture of females in this part of the world!
Thanks, Linda
I’m still looking for summer reads. Throw my name in the hat.
Wow! This book sounds terrific. I would love to get immersed in Iran. Please add my name to the giveaway – thanks!
I saw the interview with the author yesterday, and I really liked it. Review sounds good, too. Add my name to the giveaway, please.
After reading your interview with the author, I knew I would have to come back and read your review. I’m convinced now that I have to read this book! I think I could actually smell the air as described in the passage you quoted.
I hope I win your give-away, but if not, I’ll be on the look out for “Rooftops of Tehran”!
Sounds great! I would love to be in the running for a copy of the book. Thanks!
I just so happy to see the response to this review — I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks once they have read it, too!! I wish I countless review copies to give-away!!
Hi Leisa — The novel already has discussion questions at the back so I did not create my own set while reading. I wanted to, though!! There is an interview between the author and his editor in the back, too, as well as a resource list of other works about Iran (non-fiction and fiction). I’ve been meaning to read Lolita in Tehran for years and after reading the comments today, I will make it a priority!
I’d love to be included in the giveaway, I’ve been very interested in this book since I saw it (I think) on LibraryThing. thanks!
This is not the type of books I usually read, but after reading your review, I am intrigued! Thank you for entering me into your give away.
You’re both in, too, Heather and Christa!
I would like to read this book. Its sounds very interesting.
Shannanusar(at)aol(dot)com
I would love to be entered for the giveaway. Thanks for the review and the interview.
Meg and Leisa — You won!! Congratulations!
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
carlene
iluvreading(at)verizon.net
sounds good!
Please include me in your giveaway. Thanks. I’m a follower.
I would love a chance to read this book please.
I’ve loved all the books I’ve read that are set in Iran or by Iranian writers. Thank you for entering me.
Unfortunately, that giveaway has been given away already, Sandra!
I just discovered What is the What and your comparison intrigues me, along with the fact that I seem enamoured by middle eastern literature at the present point. This book has everything I want to read, please enter me!
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