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.

When the women of the Valiat family make the move from Iran to America, everything changes. This is a generational family saga played out across continents and conflict. The revolution in Iran is handled fairly obliquely and with a light touch, in favour of looking at the whole lives of the women involved. This is narrated by all the key characters and moves back and forth in time from the present day to the rise of the family through the ranks of Persian society in the 1900's. I enjoyed the fact that although there are men in this story, their stories are told by women and their voices are translated by women. It's a compelling read.

Thank you to 4th Estate and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Persians before it’s published.

I was expecting a family saga spanning across USA and Iran but instead it followed three generations of hard to relate to characters. I struggled at first to get into the book, too many names were thrown around and I ended up putting down and picking it back up several times before I eventually got into it. I enjoyed reading each POV but found Elizabeth the easiest to read, and rolled my eyes every time it changed to Shirin. It wasn’t until the 65% mark that I found myself actually enjoying the story overall.

The ending felt a little disjointed and unresolved given how much time was given to other aspects of the story. I would have liked to seen a bit more resolution between the characters and possibly even a look to the future but alas.

The one thing that stuck with me was that how real these characters came across, I watched and loved the Shahs of Sunset and could absolutely see the characters interacting in similar ways to the stars of the show. I think The Persians would translate incredibly well into a miniseries for TV the plot might just need to beef up to be a little more engaging. The visual differences between Iran and USA would bring a whole other element to the story that for those of us too young to have lived through 70s/80s are missing out on.

While I didn’t enjoy the book the entire time there were glimmers of enjoyment throughout, I can see this won’t be for everyone - but these days which books are? I think this might be easier to read as a audiobook, especially if they cast it authentically Persian. Thank you again to 4th Estate + NetGalley for the chance to read this before it’s published on 30th January 2025! Kudos on ✨THAT✨ cover, it’s gorgeous!!!!!

Have I found my favourite book of 2025 before 2025 has even arrived?

The Persians is follows five woman from a wealthy Iranian family across three generations; grandmother Elizabeth, who’s still suffering the effects of a love affair with her family chauffeur’s son; older daughter Seema, watching her family’s new lives in America from the afterlife; flamboyant and outrageous younger daughter Shirin; Seema’s daughter Bita, a lawyer-in-training unsure of her future, and finally Shirin’s daughter Niaz, who is still in Iran trying to forge a life for herself in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution. When Shirin ends up in jail accused of prostitution during an eventful holiday, this formerly powerful family must face their decline in fortunes in America, their own troubled pasts, and how to finally all say what they really feel.

There’s a lot going on with so many characters and timelines, but the complexity was well worth it; I had such a great time with this. Mahloudji’s writing is witty and dry and so unique, and though I didn’t always agree with the decisions each woman made, I loved following their lives (especially Shirin, excellently described by @canreadwillread as ‘such a little sh1t’).

Though Mahloudji’s writing is ultimately a good time, she handles complex themes so deftly too; the shift in socio-economic experiences from homeland to diaspora, how we cope (or fail to cope) with loss, and whether to stay or remain in the turbulent environment of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, and why people make the choices they do. Travelling back and forward between Iran and America, we’re given insights into Persian culture and heritage, along with sensitive portrayals of intergenerational trauma, the pull of family, and how sometimes we just can’t help falling into cycles without realising it.

Thank you so much for my review copy 4th Estate, I hope everyone loves this as much as I did!

I was looking forward to reading this book as I like books showing different cultures but unfortunately this did not work for me. I started the book, left it for a while and then returned to it determined to finish it as I appreciate how much work must go into writing a story. I carried on but in the end did not finish it. I could not take to the five female characters and thought the majority of them came over as spoilt rich people who really demanded to be heard. I do appreciate that they had a terrible time having to flee Iran but I felt the book could have been more inspiring and letting the reader know more about the difficult times rather than the way the family were portrayed. I do appreciate that this is my own view and because I could not get into the story I did read other reviews and I am not in the minority. It is a shame that the story basically continued on the riches of the family rather than the integration which must have been hard – settling into another country is not easy. On saying all this I would try another book by this author and I will try the book again in a couple of months and see how I get on

The story of an aristrocratic Iranian family, who, having come to the USA after the Islamin revolution, are struggling with their identity. At the centre of the story are three generations of women - Elizabeth, the aging matriarch, who stayed in Iran and is harbouring secrets that affect her family; Shirin and Seema, Elizabeth's daughters, who left for the US and have struggled with happiness and meaning ever since; and, finally, Niaz and Bita, Elizabeth's granddaughters, who lead vastly different lives, one in Iran, and the other in a prestigious lawschool in the US. A few deaths in the family and the community begin unravelling long hidden secrets, and breaking down barriers between the various family members.

The book is incredibly well written - the author is an exceptionally talented storyteller. I was hooked on her style from the first few pages, and found it difficult to put the book down. The energy and pacing were among the best I've seen in a long time.

I also liked the complex depiction of the psychology of the different characters. While reminiscent of The Joy Luck Club, in some ways, the book is firmly grounded in Iranian and Iranian-American cultures, making it distinct and interesting, including the impact those cultures have had on said psychology. As an example, I started the book on the wrong foot, finding the opening scene revolting and annoying, but, as the book progresses, I understood the complex psychological underpinnings that led to it, and how, despite the preposterous nature, within the context of the character's psyche the events were absolutely normal.

I struggle to find anything major to fault this book with. If I were really critical I'd've said that what's missing is a further layer of depiction of the characters' motivations. There is fertile ground there to explore more, and, in some ways, the book came across as overly rushed.

Highly recommended to anyone interested by the immigrant experience in general, and that of Iranians, in particular. It's also a great book to explore generational differences through.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Persians is a fascinating intergenerational family saga about five women from a prominent Iranian family, spanning decades and set across Iran and the United States. The women are perhaps, not always likable - they are complex and interesting.

At times, the story can be confusing - there’s a fair few characters and timelines, but overall it’s a thoughtful and enjoyable read, one that explores themes of family, identity, and culture. Quite different from other family sagas I’ve read.

We follow the lives of five women of an Iranian family across decades and locations.
Mahloudji’s writing is vivid and witty - 5 stars!
The characters are not always likeable or relatable, but overall, complex or interesting, and I found this to be fresh.
I liked the setting and the themes too.
As for the plot and the multiple narratives, I sometimes had a hard time remembering whose chapter I was reading.
4 stars overall.

I look forward to reading more by this author,

I really enjoyed The Persians, a story of three generations of wealthy Iranians. Split between Iran and the USA, the contrast in their lives, the freedom and lack of it is fascinating as are the dynamics of these women as they come to terms with their history, their present and their future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Persians.

I really struggled with this book.i recognise the timeline and events that happened. But the context does not resonate with me at all.
I feel that I must not be the target audience and aimed at someone younger than myself.

This follows the odyssey of five women from three generations of Iranian Family. The book is touching, poignant and compelling. As I read their stories/ things from their perspectives, I could see through their emotions, struggles, dark moments, unsettling memories, culture and so much more. There were dark moments as well. This is such a though provoking book which makes one think about not just life of those Iranian women but politics, oppression and trauma.


Thanks to the Publisher.

A wonderful saga a book of Persian women through generations.I loved following these women hated putting it down so well written so involving.#netgalley #4thestate.

3-3.5 stars. With thanks to NetGalley and 4th Estate for the arc.

This debut novel follows five women from three generations of a once influential Iranian family some of whom fled Iran during the fall of the Shah and settled in the United States.
I found this a difficult novel to review, and to read. From the premise I was expecting a much more insightful portrayal of intergenerational trauma, diaspora and the search for identity. There is nothing wrong with the writing per se, it just felt too superficial for the way the publishers are promoting this book. More on a par with works such as Crazy Rich Asians, than with say, Martyr by Kaveh Akbar, I was a little disappointed that this novel didn’t delve more deeply into the impact of fleeing to another country on identity, faith and family. Instead we are treated to conspicuous displays of wealth (that don’t sit well in the current economic climate) and multiple povs, locations and timelines that make it even more difficult for the reader to empathise with a group of largely unlikeable main characters.
I think the author has great potential as a writer, but for me that is disappointingly unrealised in this novel.