I'm sorry to say this disappointed me. The premise of following the women of a multigenerational Iranian family is enticing as they leave Iran in the wake of the Shah in 1979 and emigrate to America. But this feels essentially frivolous where I wanted something that deals more seriously with the big topics being teased.

The book this reminds me of most is [book:Crazy Rich Asians|19047093] but where Kwan is self-conscious about the satire, throwing us all in to the ridiculous label-and-luxury lifestyle with full throttle irony and offsetting all the snobbery, greed, money and class friction with a cute true-love romance - in The Persians the lines aren't drawn in that way.

I can see that perhaps one of the things this book would like to do is challenges the stereotypes of, especially, Iranian women and to broaden the prevailing western view of the country with its long history of culture and knowledge. But these stories of women obsessed by their looks (Elizabeth's nose...) fall into other pigeonholes and are typecast in different but equally sterile ways.

This feels like a debut novel: the revolving narrators (five, I think?) all sound the same; the prose is chatty and sweary as if that makes it cool; there are family secrets to be uncovered for anyone who cares - frankly, I'd lost interest fairly soon.

A giveaway for me is an early scene where the Shah is deposed and the family is fleeing to America - what should be a traumatic experience for anyone feels like it's over in a few pages and the biggest concern is not leaving a daughter - conveniently - behind, but to not forget the gold and jewellery. And then we're on the plane, Louis Vuitton suitcases stashed and taking up space on the middle seat because heaven forbid this family shouldn't be allowed to spread out across the aisles.

I think this is a well-intentioned book but I soon found myself bored and skimming - if this weren't an ARC, I'd have DNF within the first 40 pages. Sorry, just not a book for me.

Absolutely loved! From the characters, to the settings, to the dialogue, chefs kiss! If you love female-centric stories about generational trauma and a collision of cultures, this is a must-read.

A great family saga, centered around the women of the once powerful Valiat family, from Iran, and spanning several timelines and points of view. The matriarch, Elizabeth, lives in Tehran with her granddaughter Niaz; her daughters Shirin and Seema left during the revolution of 1979 and settled in the US - Shirin leaving behind six-year-old Niaz. We follow them and Bita, Seema's daughter, as they meet again and as Shirin is going through a trial.

It was interesting to follow these women and the way the ones who left struggled to adapt to a new life in America. In Iran they came from a powerful and wealthy family; in America they are "just" wealthy, their family's links to power unknown and uninteresting to anyone they meet. There was a lot about money and appearances, about looks and clothes, and I enjoyed the different voices of the characters, even if Shirin, spoiled and entitled, was more difficult to get used to. It was well written as well and I found it easy to get into.

Free ARC sent by Netgalley, book due to be published on 30 January 2025.

Wonderful and beautifully written this is a debut that deserves all the praise. The storytelling was by turns moving and funny and I learnt so much about a period in history I’d only ever seen on the news. I became fully invested in all of the women, each with their own strengths, making me wish I had a sister and also at times glad I didn’t. I loved this book and look forward to more from the author.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Even a few days after finishing this book I am not sure how I feel about it - and perhaps that was the author's idea, keeping the reader on their toes and at a distance from the action.
I didn't like any of the characters particularly and found it hard to really care about any of them - their sense of entitlement was astounding,
I'm glad I read the book but it really wasn't for me

The Persians reminded me of a lot of different things. A little bit Gossip Girl, a little bit Cleopatra and Frankenstein, a little bit Persepolis. The character's lives are uber luxurious and yet feel empty - a tension I'm always drawn to in fiction. Yet (sadly!) there was something missing here for me. Moving between Iran and the US, told in multiple POVs from 3 generations, and delving into topics such as displacement, politics, oppression, and trauma, I felt a disconnect from the characters I couldn't quite bridge, which left me a little disinterested in the story.

However, Mahloudji is clearly a very talented writer, and I'd be very interested to see what she does next!

Interesting story of Iranian family and their exploits in USA. Quick read from a new author to me. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

I find this a difficult book to review.
It's style of jumping between various characters' stories is a little jarring and leaves, this reader, at least, a bit adrift.
Some of the characters appear, at first, extremely unlikeable, and their way of living is, frankly, offputting.
That, of course, is exactly how the author wants us to feel; unsettled and alienated.
Gradually, however, we are drawn behind the facades of "The Persians" and gain some measure of sympathy and understanding of each complicated life. Each woman has such a different pattern to their life and a very different response in how they live out the hand they have been dealt
Would I recommend it to others? I don't think so.
Do I commend the author, whose own situation, having left Tehran during the revolution, gives her an insight into the world of the rich Iranian emigrees, yes I do.
Did I find it difficult to get into the book, yes, did I think it was worth the effort, on balance, yes.
4th Estate and NetGalley provided an earc of this novel in return for an honest review

Fantastic read, following 5 members of a Persian dynasty who are now rich and unknown living in America and Iran following displacement. It’s a funny read full of love and hope, family - mothers and daughters, tinged with loss and identity. A great read

An Iranian family who had clout in their homeland move to America where they struggle to belong. Some interesting insight into Iranian culture and history

This book uses time wonderfully, taking us back and forth to life in the US and previous life in Iran.
Complex female characters and family relationships, I thought this was great.

A sweeping family saga spanning decades told through the viewpoints of the women of the influential Valiat family. The writing is sharp and unflinching. The books doesn't have one cohesive plot to follow but it is a character study of a few rule-breaking Iranian women whose stories are interspersed with the history of Iran.
This narrative can be hard to follow if you are not paying attention but fans of literary fiction and readers used to Latin American family Sagas will be familiar with the style. Whilst none of the women were particularly loveable they each had quirks and are differentiable. I liked Elizabeth's storyline the best.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my review copy.

Really enjoyed this, the writing was superb and I found the premise and the history fascinating. I loved that we followed these women and the family through the ages, both personal, moving and political. Will recommend.

The female characters in this book are beautifully complex, adding depth and richness to the narrative. Their development throughout the story offers a profound insight into the intricacies of life within the Iranian community, which I found particularly interesting. The author skillfully weaves their experiences and challenges into the broader cultural context, making the exploration both engaging and enlightening.

A deceptively light touch covers a lot of ground in this exploration of modern Iranians in America, how they came to be there and the complicated history behind their flight. Strong women abound in this book, and their different paths show the ways that they choose to live their lives free of older restraints and when working within new frameworks.

Complex, well-written characters abound, generational differences come to the fore, and writing is very vivid and evocative.

I really enjoyed this novel. I was totally unaware that there was a strong Iranian community in America and found the depictions of their life there very interesting. I also learnt a lot about Iran and its recent history. Beyond all this though I was fascinated by the characters and how they interacted with each especially in light of their own culture versus western culture.

I really tried but failed to get into this book on several occasions and ended up with a DNF. Everything about it jarred with me. The characters, the language, the lifestyle being described. I didn't care about any of the characters or want to know any more about what they got up to. I think perhaps The Persians may be better aimed at a younger age group than me (early 70s). I'm sure from other reviews it will have a big following but not for me I'm afraid.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

A wonderful read with complex and deeply interesting female characters. I really enjoyed this book. Some very interesting insights to Iran's history from 1970s onwards. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy

Really loved this one. Enjoyed getting to know all the characters, who all felt so real and so well-rounded. Each narrative perspective was so firmly embedded in each character's voice that you knew who you were reading from the writing alone. Think a lot of people are going to absolutely love this when it comes out next month!

The Persians is a compelling exploration of identity, generational conflict, and the weight of the past.

The story follows the Valiat family—once prominent in Iran, now grappling with their place in America. At the centre is Elizabeth, the ageing matriarch who stayed in Tehran during the revolution, and her daughters Shirin and Seema, who left for the US in 1979. Elizabeth lives in a rundown apartment, while Shirin and Seema struggle with their sense of self in a foreign land.

The complex relationships between Elizabeth and her granddaughters, Niaz and Bita, unfold as the family’s fragile equilibrium is disrupted. When Shirin is arrested during a family trip, Bita bails her out, forcing each member to confront their fractured identity.

Shirin embarks on a misguided mission to restore the family’s name, but in a country where the Valiats have faded into obscurity, is that even possible?

The author’s exceptional writing and tight pacing keep the reader engaged. The characters’ psychology is intricately depicted, rooted in Iranian and Iranian-American cultures. Scenes that initially seem baffling are revealed to be authentic to the characters’ experiences, making this a poignant, thought-provoking read that stays with you long after the final page.

Read the full review on my website - The Secret Book Review.