Mahbod Seraji’s first novel, Rooftops of Tehran, is an understated and eloquent tale about growing up. Seraji’s love of literature is evident in this debut effort. His language is understated and the story’s plot is well conceived and carried out. Seraji’s skill is most apparent in the finesse with which he renders the characters in the novel.
The Language
Seraji is a gifted writer. He uses language beautifully without leaving the reader feeling as if they’ve eaten cotton candy washed down with sweetened condensed milk. His clean prose seldom drops into sentimentality and so the reader leaves the book refreshed.
The Story
The story in the Rooftops of Tehran involves the delicate balance of friendship and love with which all teenagers struggle. However, for Pasha, the novel’s protagonist, the situation is complicated by arranged marriages and political intrigue.
Seraji deftly weaves two time frames while telling Pasha’s love story and subsequent nightmare. While the plot has the elements of mystery the reader is compelled to continue not only to find out what secrets will be revealed but also because the characters are familiar. Readers discover that Pasha, Doctor, Ahmed, Faheemeh, Iraj and Zari resemble people they know and love and are compelled to continue the story to find out if those they love arrive safe on the other side.
The Characters
Seraji’s characters are the high point in The Rooftops of Tehran. The characters are real people that everyone knows. Pasha is both sweet and slightly arrogant and his nervous habit of rolling his sleeves up is deftly sketched by Seraji’s words. Pasha’s parents are both funny and endearing. If the reader can’t identify his own parents in the quirky loving family, they will certainly recognize the parents of a friend.
Pasha’s friends are both unique and universal. Readers will recognize in Iraj someone that they have known in school or work. Pasha’s best friend Ahmed is a unique yet recognizable clown.
Seraji skill is creating characters that readers know. It is not necessary for the reader to ‘get to know the character’ they recognize them within a few sentences as if suddenly recognizing an old, nearly forgotten friend.
Do Not Miss Seraji’s Novel
The Rooftops of Tehran does have some regrettable humor in it. Teenagers often have regrettable humor. The moments of unrefined humor and language means that teens and those who are squeamish about language and sexuality should avoid the book. For the rest of the reading population, Mahbod Seraji’s debut novel is one that should not be missed.
Seraji, Mahbod. Rooftops of Tehran. New American Library. 2009. ISBN 978-0-451-22681-5
Melissa Howard - I am a stay-at-home Mom. My college education was in English and History and my last job was as a Technical Writer. Now that I ...
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