Rooftops of Tehran: A Novel (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in 1970s Iran during the shah's regime, this earnest, semiautobiographical debut novel is told from the perspective of bookish 17-year-old Pasha Shahed, who, along with his best friend Ahmed, plays soccer, goofs off and thinks about girls. But Pasha pines for one girl in particular—his neighbor Zari, betrothed since birth to Pasha's mentor, the neighborhood radical, Ramin Sobhi, whom everyone calls Doctor. Over a summer Ahmed orchestrates daily meetups with his own beloved, Faheemeh, and includes Pasha and Zari. Despite knowing he shouldn't, Pasha falls in love with Zari. The idyllic summer comes to an end when Doctor is abducted and killed by SAVAK, the not-so-secret police. The effects of Doctor's death on Pasha and Zari are traumatic and lead each to acts of transgression with tragic results. The prose has the simplicity of a nonnative English speaker, which could be seen as clichéd (treasure of love, dark winter of my life) or charmingly romantic. Seraji captures the thoughts and emotions of a young boy and creates a moving portrait of the history and customs of the Persians and life in Iran during this period. (May)
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From Booklist

Pasha Shahed is a typical teenage boy who likes hanging out with his friends on the rooftop terrace of his house, dreaming about life, love, and what the future holds. What makes this 17-year-old different is that he is living under the harsh reign of the shah in Iran during the summer of 1973. With his biggest worry being his feelings for Zari, the girl next door who has been promised to another since birth, Pasha has a rude awakening when the SAVAK, Iran’s secret police, hunt down and murder Zari’s fiancé. When Pasha realizes that he is the one who unwittingly gave away the man’s whereabouts to the SAVAK, he is crushed with guilt over his rival’s death and his continued feelings for Zari. No longer ignorant of the brutality of the shah’s regime, Zari makes a public display of her protest, which devastates Pasha. Told in Pasha’s unique voice and partially in flashback, Seraji’s wonderful coming-of-age story is at times funny and sweet as well as thought-provoking and heart-wrenching. --Carolyn Kubisz

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 045122681X
• ISBN-13: 978-0451226815
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #223,078 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Literary and suspenseful, May 18, 2009

By	Jennifer Donovan "www.jennifersnapshot.blogsp... (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was a lovely lovely book. I will say right off that I think that the pinkish cover featuring a red rose (though thematically appropriate) might turn off some men, and I do think that it's the kind of novel that would appeal equally to men and women.

The story follows two teenage boys through a year of their lives in Iran in the 70's. The characterization of adolescence is perfect -- first loves, first independent stands, hellos, goodbyes.

The language is beautiful, and the suspense comes in because parts of the story are told in flashbacks as the reader is brought closer and closer to the crisis event. What happened and why?

When that crisis is revealed, the end of the novel continues in a suspenseful vein, as the reader yearns to find out what is going to happen.

The comparisons to The Kite Runner are inevitable -- although they are set in different countries, they both deal with events that precipitate a coming of age, set in the backdrop of a totalitarian regime. The Kite Runner is a wonderful book, but I think that Rooftops of Tehran has more heart, more range (since in addition to being touched, I laughed aloud a time or two), and is overall a better story.

A wonderful literary page-turner -- my favorite kind of read.

4.5 stars

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book of 2009 So Far, May 7, 2009

By	Diane Hessan (Boston, MA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I finished Rooftops of Tehran, but I can't get this book and its incredible characters out of my mind. It's like the Kite Runner, but even better: a tale about Iran, but a coming-of-age story that is universal. Mahbod Seraji has a rare combination: major writing talent, deep knowledge of the culture of Iran, and yet an understanding of the American perspective and sense of humor. It made me laugh out loud, and at the book's climax, I cried too. When you read it (or, if you have a good book club, when they read it), you will find yourself wanting to go slowly -- not wanting it to end.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost innocence, courage - a story for all, May 27, 2009

By	CathyB - See all my reviews

I tried to write my review for this novel as soon as I finished reading; however, I was unable to do so. Whether it was from writer's block or from fear of writing an inadequate review, I do not know. I am leaning toward the latter. I considered stringing together a set of adjectives: brilliant, funny, original, haunting. Although they could all be used to describe this novel, it would not have been enough. Instead, I started off with the following: "Rooftops of Tehran", a debut novel by Mahbod Seraji, is a wonderfully written coming of age story of young love. After that I just stared at the page for quite some time and gave up. How could I do justice to Mr. Seraji's masterful prose?

From the rooftop of his home, Pasha and his friends talk about life - sharing their dreams, hopes, and fears. They spend an innocent summer falling in love and becoming good friends. Their innocence comes to an end when Pasha unwittingly betrays a friend and leads one friend to a self-destructive decision. But where are the rooftops? New York, London, Paris. Could be but, no, they are in Iran. Not a place nor a people that most Westerners know much about. Through his vivid characterizations and descriptions, Mr. Seraji is able to transport us to Iran and give us a glimpse into this ancient world. I could clearly picture the homes, alleyways, streets and rooftops. He breathed so much life into these characters that they will not be forgotten. I laughed when Pasha's father was unwittingly the perpetrator in ding dong ditch. I felt compassion for Grandma and was awed that the entire neighborhood looked after her - not something that is commonplace here in America. I felt for the characters when tragedy struck and I rooted for them in their moments of rebellion. In short, his characters had That - they had honor, treasured friendship, prized love, had courage and strength to stand up for what they believed in.

"Rooftops of Tehran" is much more than a love story. It is a an affirmation of shared human experiences. We all dream, love, laugh and cry. We have fears and and want good things for our children. Mr. Seraji has given us a glimpse into the unknown and it is up to us to recognize that regardless of religion or culture we are more alike than some would like us to believe.

At times, this novel is funny and at other times tragic. It is certainly unforgettable. I highly recommend to those wishing to broaden their horizons and learn more about the Persian people and culture. Mahbod Seraji is an author to watch. I know I will be looking and waiting for his next novel.