Rooftops of Tehran

Rooftops of Tehran
Mahbod Seraji
New American Library
ISBN: 9780451226815
Fiction, Adult Fiction
Reviewed by John R. Clark

It is impossible not to compare this book to The kite Runner and it compares very favorably. It can stand on its own for a number of reasons. The writing is fluid, the story line both immersive and complex enough so even if you suspect the outcome, you can’t be certain until the last few pages and the characters are extremely real and mostly likeable. What makes it really stand out are two things: the way the author develops each character’s personality, particularly in terms of their attitudes and philosophies and the way he makes the reader see how universal most human feelings really are.

In quick summary, this is a coming of age story in a small neighborhood in Tehran in the 1970s when the Shah ruled with the help of his secret police the SAVIK. 17 year old Pashi and his best friend Ahmed spend most of the summer nights on the rooftop of Pashi’s house, speculating about everything from what life will be like in the future, to naming stars for friends, and talking about Faheemeh and Zara, the young women they are attracted to. How they work around the restrictive customs relating to being with those of the opposite sex, arranged marriage and the rigidity of public schools at the time all add quality to the story. Many scenes in the book will stay with the reader after finishing it.

There’s rebellion, brutality, young love, the beauty of honor and strong friendships as well, all adding to the beauty of this book. Some stories beg for a sequel, this one jumps up on the podium and absolutely demands one.