Tehran rooftops

"One of those rare novels that stays with you long after you've turned its last page. It reminds us of the good and evil in life, that joy has a painful side, and that love comes in many forms." - Bookreporter "A wonderful novel about young love, funny, beautiful, thought-provoking and heartbreaking... an affecting novel." - Booklist "A profound novel about courage, sacrifice, and the bonds of friendship and love. With vibrant details, Mahbod Seraji opens the doors to the enchanting world of Iran, offering a revealing glimpse into the life and customs of a country on the verge of revolution... a captivating read." - Gail Tsukiyama, author of "Street of a Thousand Blossoms" and "The Samurai's Garden" "A poignant novel about the loss of innocence, revealing a side of Iran that few understand... full of humor, authenticity, and meaning." - John Shors, author of "Beneath a Marble Sky" In this poignant and revealing novel, Mahbod Seraji uncovers the beauty - and sometimes the violence - of Persian culture, while also emphasizing the human emotions we all share. In a middle-class neighborhood of Tehran, seventeen-year-old Pasha Shahed spends the summer of 1973 on his rooftop with his close friend Ahmed, sometimes joking and sometimes asking urgent questions about life. Pasha harbors a secret love for his beautiful neighbor Zari, who has been betrothed to another man since birth. The blissful, stolen time Pasha and Zari spent together soon dissipates when Pasha, inadvertently, helps the Shah's secret police. The dire consequences awaken him to the reality of living under a tyrant, and force Zari to make a shocking decision... An unforgettable novel about love and youth while Iran boils over a volcano.