Tehran rooftops

Author's name: Mahbad Saraji

“One of the rare novels that stays with you long after you turn the last page. It reminds us of the good and the bad in life, that joy has a painful side, and that love comes in many forms.” - Bookreporter “A wonderful novel about young love, funny and beautiful, thought-provoking and heartbreaking... A moving novel.” - Booklist “A profound novel about courage, sacrifice, and the bonds of friendship and love.” “With vivid detail, Mahbod Seraji opens the doors to the magical world of Iran, offering a revealing glimpse into the lives and customs of a country on the verge of revolution... A captivating read.” — Gail Tsukiyama, author of Thousand Flower Street and Samurai's Garden “A moving novel about the loss of innocence, it reveals a side of Iran few understand... Full of humor, originality, and meaning.” — John Shores, author of Under a Marble Sky “In this poignant and revealing novel, Mahbod Seraji reveals 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 Shahid spends the summer of 1973 on the roof of his house with his best friend Ahmad, sometimes joking and sometimes asking burning questions about life. Pasha harbors a secret love for his beautiful neighbor Zari, who has been engaged since birth to another man. The blissful time Pasha and Zari spend together is quickly shattered when Pasha unwittingly aids the Shah's secret police. The dire consequences awaken him to the realities of living under a tyrant and force Zari to make a shocking decision... An unforgettable novel of love and youth as Iran boils over.