The story takes place in Iran. 23 talking about this. Then she spits three times to atone for the thought. Long ago, my father worked as a ranger, protecting the nationalized forests from poachers who cut down the trees illegally for personal profit. And you will see why the flame of hope for this ancient land burns so fiercely in my heart, and in the hearts of so many of my compatriots at home and abroad. In fact, naming stars for our friends and the people we love is one of our favorite pastimes. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Perhaps as you read Rooftops of Tehran, as you meet Pasha’s friends Ahmed, Faheemeh, Doctor, Iraj and Zari, as you accompany Pasha down the alleys of his neighborhood and experience the injustice and tyranny of the regime that rules his country, or as you spend a night on his rooftop, peek into his neighbor’s window and fall in love with the girl next door, you’ll understand my affection for Iran and its people. If I were Ahmed and caught Iraj checking out my sister, I'd kick the shit out of him. He shakes his head in empathy. Beautiful and gripping story I warmly recommend to read. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, No Import Fees Deposit & $37.98 Shipping to Ukraine. I’d start in the early hours of the evening and stop at dawn, exhausted, elated and barely aware that the night had passed. "Brotherhood and fraternity mean the same thing. Women congregate in different parts of the alley, making it easy to tell who likes whom by the way they assemble. Rooftops of Tehran is a poetry collection by Sholeh Wolpe, published by Red Hen Press in 2008.. "Iraj is lucky your dad made us promise," Ahmed says later, making us both laugh. ROOFTOPS OF TEHRAN is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the last page has been turned. Stay in your chair," Apple Face shouts, which means I must be moving. To make things right, every night after dinner she would hold out a glass of amber liquid that smelled like horse urine on a hot summer day. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Ships from and sold by Something_About_Porridge_. Passion, revolution, love, blood and grief are five words that will mostly pop in a reader's mind as they read the novel. "You are going to be one fucked-up person by the time your mother gets done with you.". ", "When one learns how to box," Dad started thoughtfully, "he joins the fraternity of athletes who never raise a hand against people weaker than themselves.". "Rooftops of Tehran is a richly rendered first novel about courage, sacrifice, and the bonds of friendship and love. Widely celebrated for its passionate study of rebellion against political repression, Rooftops of Tehran explores friendship, love, hope, and resistance through the tale of a young man coming of age in Iran in the early 1970s. The place does not look familiar to me. I know without asking that he is amused by my eccentric vocabulary, the product of a lifetime of heavy reading. If I knew a dance, I would dance it.If I knew a rhyme, I would chant it.If I had a life, I would risk it.If I could be free, I would chance it. It reminds us of the good and bad in life, that joy has a … "Stay in your chair, honey. The experience bound us together and prompted my father, an exheavyweight boxing champion, to start teaching us how to box—much to my mother's dismay. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji. "I wouldn't live in a home with a northern exposure if it were given to me for free," my mother states repeatedly. Ahmed asks. From the beginning I was excited to read this novel. --Carolyn Kubisz. Ahmed asks with a smirk. ", Ahmed closes one eye and lifts his thumb to block out one of the brighter stars. They look lost. "I'm Pasha," I introduced myself after the fight. Your event will be unique to you and always beautiful. I have a problem with that. The Rooftops of Tehran Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. The feeling is as if I’ve eaten a small portion of a delicious meal but with every bite, I’ve tasted the rich and nourishing taste and it keeps me wanting more and more until I can no longer eat. A man in a white uniform runs over and tries to hold me down. The novel attracts every reader, making it difficult to stop reading after each chapter. So I invite you to contact me. Reading his book was an experience that never left me. This story takes place in Tehran, Iran, where 17-year-old Pasha Shahed lives. Passion, revolution, love, blood and grief are five words that will mostly pop in a reader's mind as they read the novel. https://www.harpercollins.nl/9789…/de-daktuinen-van-teheran/ Een overgetelijk liefdesverhaal in revolutionair Iran; de Khaled Hosseini van Iran In Teheran is … "This will reverse what your father is doing to your temper," she assured me, while forcing me to drink the nauseating brew. In clear, vivid details, Mahbod Seraji opens the door to the fascinating world of Iran and provides a revealing glimpse into the life and customs of a country on the verge of a revolution. The setting is Tehran in 1973 and 1974, a period when Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, a brutal dictator, ruled his country with an iron fist with the help of the United States. It reminds us of the good and bad in life, that joy has a painful side, and that love comes in many forms. 8435 Ratings. “ Rooftops of Tehran is a richly rendered first novel about courage, sacrifice, and the bonds of friendship and love. "And the better you are the bigger your star, right?". Passion, revolution, love, blood and grief are five words that will mostly pop in a reader's mind as they read the novel. I tell him he could become a great comedian if he took his God-given talent more seriously. Passion, revolution, love, blood and grief are five words that will mostly pop in a reader's mind as they read the novel. 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[...] 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. "You broke your shin in three places!" Everyone knows you don't fancy a friend's sister, as if she were a girl from another neighborhood. "I wonder why people are so unabashedly afraid of the dark," I ponder, and Ahmed chuckles. ― Mahbod Seraji, Rooftops of Tehran. There is something peculiar about each of them. Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2017, “Rooftops of Tehran” is a semi autobiography book that show the main character life and his struggles. “Rooftops of Tehran” is a semi autobiography book that show the main character life and his struggles. Ahmed leaned over and whispered that I would soon be inaugurated as the oldest seventeen-year-old in the world, especially if I kept saying things like "unabashedly" and "beautifully composed vignettes.". Hours crawl by in heavy silence. Books are full of wonderful stories about this kind of stuff, and stories aren’t just fantasies, you know. All the other kids stood by and watched, but Ahmed rushed to my aid. Over a summer Ahmed orchestrates daily meetups with his own beloved, Faheemeh, and includes Pasha and Zari. "And wouldn't it be dumb to pick on people stronger than ourselves anyway?". "Hey," he'll shout, trying hard not to smile when he startles Iraj, "stop looking at her or I'll break my pledge to the sacred brotherhood of the boxing fraternity. I love my father, and I would never disobey him, but I hate math, I hate the idea of becoming an engineer, and I would hate being called Mr. Pasha! Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2017. he asked. I discovered the gift of reading when I was ten years old, sitting on my own rooftop in Tehran and losing myself in a Farsi translation of Jack London’s White Fang. If you’d like to express a comment about Rooftops of Tehran, or if your book club would like to arrange for a chat, simply send a note via email. "Right," Ahmed replies, nodding. ROOFTOPS OF TEHRAN is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the last page has been turned. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. For now I live with my parents in a middle-class neighborhood. Rooftops of Tehran Questions and Answers. A first novel by Seraji, a San Francisco management consultant who came here from his native Iran 32 years ago at age 19, it … In clear, vivid details, Mahbod Seraji opens the door to the fascinating world of Iran and provides a revealing glimpse into the life and customs of a country on the verge of a revolution. 16 likes. Years later, I began to write stories of my own, and quickly realized that writing was more gratifying to me than anything else I had ever done. Ahmed and I have just finished the eleventh grade and will be entering our last year of high school in the fall. 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. Rooftops of Tehran is both a bittersweet coming of age tale as well as a story of the tragic loss of innocence. "Rooftops of Tehran is a richly rendered first novel about courage, sacrifice, and the bonds of friendship and love. Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020. All content is copyright of Mahbod Seraji. When we play soccer in the alley, Iraj plays chess against himself. 37 talking about this. ROOFTOPS OF TEHRAN is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the last page has been turned. You shouldn't use them in the same sentence.". Ahmed smiled and reached over for a handshake. I'm not much of a reader, but honestly I really enjoyed this book. The author did an amazing job of enabling the reader to connect with the story, and visualize every scene. He is gazing at me as he frantically repeats his mantra: If I had a horse, I would ride it.If I had a horse, I would ride it.If I had a horse…, I am taken to a room with a bed, and Apple Face says, "I'm going to give you a sedative to make you feel better, darling.". Or, I major in film and become a writer or a director, someone who has something worthwhile to say. Rooftops of Tehran essays are academic essays for citation. Engineer' for the rest of his life." The outline of Mount Alborz, usually uplifting, seems to huddle in the growing dark like a lonesome dog. The peace of each summer night fades with the noises of families starting their day, and our alley bustles with kids of all ages. My father's friends actually applauded, much to my embarrassment. "Yes, more seriously," he replies. Rooftops of Tehran takes an uncommon and refreshing view of Iran and reveals how an American immigrant is born out of a young foreigner's desperation for self-determination and social freedom. Ask Your Own Question My mother is strictly against it, and reminds me each evening, "Hundreds of people fall off the roofs every year." Iraj is a small, scruffy kid with a long pointed nose whose sunburned features make him look Indian. In clear, vivid detail, Mahbod Seraji opens the door to the fascinating world of Iran and provides a revealing glimpse into the life and customs of a country on the verge of a revolution. The year is 1973. But as I finished chapter by chapter I wanted to read more and more because not only is the main character relatable but the author has amazingly detailed every single event that makes it easier to understand and feel. 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. The characters are well developed. "A stirring story about the loss of innocence. “Rooftops of Tehran is a richly rendered first novel about courage, sacrifice, and the bonds of friendship and love. I laughed. "You didn't know? Suddenly a surge of emotions fills my chest and rushes into my throat. Rooftops of Tehran. I whisper under my breath with a smile. A 17-year-old boy finds his rooftop the perfect escape for taking in the night sky, smoking cigarettes and catching occasional glimpses of his beautiful neighbor. "I'm tired of looking at your big fat face.". ", "So," Ahmed ponders one day, "the engine oil makes you an extrovert, and the horse urine helps you crawl back into your shell." The blue robe that covers my body, the wheelchair I am sitting in, the sunlight creeping between the shades that warms me—all feel strange. Novel like these are one of a kind and I can’t express enough how much I adore this book. I don't usually want to read a book if it's not manga/anime or fiction because I’d rather watch films and movies if it is about history or any other stuff. From "a striking new talent"(Sandra Dallas, author of Tallgrass) comes an unforgettable debut novel of young love and coming of age in an Iran headed toward revolution. 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. We wait until ten o’clock, but no one comes out of Faheemeh’s house. The synopsis of the book immediately caught my attention. "What was the fight about?" Ahmed is a tall skinny kid with dark features and a brilliant smile. I can’t stop reading for each chapter are simple but each word etch in a reader’s mind and heart. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Do you know what that kind of stress does to your body?". Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Our house is the tallest in the neighborhood, which makes our roof an ideal spot for stargazing. ", "Sacred brotherhood of the boxing fraternity?" We're currently booking for  2013, so please inquire early to reserve your date. I feel a pinch in my arm, and suddenly my head and arms become unbearably heavy and my eyes slide shut. We have a typical Iranian house with a modest yard, a large guest room, and a hose—a small pool in the front yard. Each night before falling asleep they name stars after friends and family, a ritual they've shared since … Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2018, This book is a great read. I look forward to the end of preparatory school as much as the next seventeen-year-old, but this lively anticipation is tempered by my father's plans to send me to the United States to study civil engineering. Like “People do amazing things for love. “Rooftops of Tehran is a richly rendered first novel about courage, sacrifice, and the bonds of friendship and love. "I want you to promise me that you will always respect the code of our fraternity," my father insisted. I discovered the gift of reading when I was ten years old, sitting on my own rooftop in Tehran and losing myself in a Farsi translation of Jack London’s. I hear someone's voice chanting, and the repetitive verses lap like water at the edge of my consciousness. ", "Bite your tongue," Ahmed growls, "or I'll raid your mother's pantry to mix you a special brew that will grow hair on your tongue.". Rooftops of Tehran takes an uncommon and refreshing view of Iran and reveals how an American immigrant is born out of a young foreigner's desperation for self-determination and social freedom." “Rooftops of Tehran” is a semi autobiography book that show the main character life and his struggles. "I'm not preoccupied with your sister," Iraj mumbles, rolling his eyes. Ask Your Own Question Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We work hard to protect your security and privacy. "Would you join us, please? In order to cure my introversion, she insists I drink a dusky concoction that looks and smells like used motor oil. In my dreams I major in literature and study the philosophy of the ancient Greeks, evolution, Marxism, psychoanalysis, Erfan, and Buddhism. From the flowers to the favors, we strive to bring an extra dose of flair, elegance, sophistication to each event we touch--from an intimate dinner party to a wedding for 300. After a few months of training, as our punches became crisp—short and quick, but heavy when they needed to be—I began to ache for a rematch with the three bullies at school. I get distracted for a moment trying to decide if the darkness is black or so deeply blue that it just appears inky in comparison. The story’s set in Iran with narrator Pasha, … His strong but slender body, bold, broad jaw, and bright hazel eyes make him the picture of health, according to my mother's expert opinion. The Dutch translation of Rooftops of Tehran . I asked, stunned. The novel attracts every reader, making it difficult to stop reading after each chapter. The story has twists, that I never expected but kept the story going. In writing Rooftops of Tehran, I wanted to acquaint the readers with Iran, and bring to life a small part of the centuries-old Persian culture. He's smart, has the best grades in our school, and loves physics and mathematics, the two subjects I hate most. He is so good that no one is willing to play against him anymore. "Shut up and go to sleep then," I say, laughing, letting my gaze relax into the velvety emptiness between each pinprick of light. My father overheard our plans for revenge and intervened. I received, Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji, for free in exchange for a review. Since I first lost myself in White Fang so many years ago, I’ve read hundreds of books, and often wished afterward that I could share my thoughts and feelings directly with the author. There was a problem loading your book clubs. I can say that I have many favorite quotes. "Have you ever beaten yourself?" “Rooftops of Tehran is a richly rendered first novel about courage, sacrifice, and the bonds of friendship and love. One, “People do amazing things for love. Perhaps as you read Rooftops of Tehran, as you meet Pasha’s friends Ahmed, Faheemeh, Doctor, Iraj and Zari, as you accompany Pasha down the alleys of his neighborhood and experience the injustice and tyranny of the regime that rules his country, or as you spend a night on his rooftop, peek into his neighbor’s window and fall in love with the girl next door, you’ll understand my affection for Iran and its … Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. I loved boxing, but my mother’s remedy nearly drove me to quit. We met for the first time at school when three bullies were beating me up. ROOFTOPS OF TEHRAN is a richly rendered first novel about courage, sacrifice, and the bonds of friendship and love. The story revolves around Pasha who is the protagonist who deals with the issue of an oppressive government, traditional issues, love life issues, and many more. My eyes travel down the sky until they rest on the familiar rise and fall of the Alborz Mountains, which serpentine between the desert and the blue-green Caspian Sea. A person with an engineering degree from an American university secures a great future for himself and his family, in addition to enjoying the prestige of being called 'Mr. But I'm not Ahmed. "Iran is in dire need of engineers," Dad reminds me whenever he gets the chance. "And your star guides you when you're in trouble, right? We ride our bikes back to our neighborhood, have a quick dinner, then retreat to the roof. [...] 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. The dry heat of the day cools after midnight, and those of us who sleep on the rooftops wake with the early sun on our faces and fresh air in our lungs. When I object that I'm not an introvert, she reminds me of the time I was four years old and fell down the steps. Pasha and his best friend, Ahmed, spend a lot of time on the roof during the Iranian summer of 1973. It reminds us of the good and bad in life, that joy has a painful side, and that love comes in many forms. 37 talking about this. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! "I want you to promise," he repeated, his voice rising. These items are shipped from and sold by different sellers. In Sholeh Wolpe s Rooftops of Tehran , an unforgettable cast of characters emerges, from the morality policeman with the poison razor blade to the crow-girls flapping their black garments, from the woman with the bee-swarm tattoo emerging from her crotch to the author as a young girl on a Tehran rooftop with a God s eye view hovering above a city / where beatings, cheating 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. In clear, vivid details, Mahbod Seraji opens the door to the fascinating world of Iran and provides a revealing glimpse into the life and customs of a country on the verge of a revolution. There are only a handful of books that I have read without being bored or falling asleep and most of them are fiction. -Susanne Pari, author of The Fortune Catcher. I knew right then that Ahmed was going to be my best friend forever. "But, Dad, if we don't beat up people weaker than ourselves, who do we beat up?" (Please feel free to let us know if you come across a broken link.) “Rooftops of Tehran” by Mahbod Seraji is a great book that will not only mesmerize the readers with its great story but it will also teach its reader valuable life-long morals and values. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. The collection this block was previously pointing to has been removed. His life. wonder why people are so unabashedly afraid of the room you. `` the!! Not always in a good way friend forever audio edition political corruption story what makes 17-year-old... October 14, 2020 she had been doing and walked up to stand sternly next to my unsympathetic father orchestrates! The Uses of Archetypes in like Water at the edge of my,. Lap like Water at the time, of course, we had no idea such... 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