This was a compelling multigenerational domestic drama about an Iranian American family that spans generations. While I loved the audiobook narration for this debut, I felt that it was difficult to stay invested as the novel is long and alternates timelines, perspectives and countries often. Moving nonetheless, I look forward to reading more by this author and would recommend for fans of authors like Marjane Satrapi and Marjan Kamali's book, The stationery shop. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This multi-generational family drama was definitely different than a lot of others I’ve read in the genre. I liked the writing here and I thought Mahloudji did a good job exploring the characters but they weren’t necessarily likable and fewer perspectives might have worked better.

1.5 This is a reprint from 2024 Germany. Publisher ‏ : ‎ Piper ebooks; 1st edition (May 31, 2024)

Darkly funny" this book was not. Dark, yes; funny, no. Too many generations of self-centered, selfish elitists who come to this country to escape persecution (and of course never file for a green card) and try to be the same things - well, most of them try. I was trepaditious when in the first chapter we see nearly the whole lot of them doing coke, drinking, and stealing. And pretty much trashing a hotel room in Aspen, Colorado, while there for a family reunion for Christmas.

For me, the book went downhill from there. I get bored when most of any book is centered on introspection - pages and pages of woe is me.

I gave it my best shot and made it to 50% of this book. This was enough for me to give my honest opinion.

*ARC supplied by Blackstone Publishing, Inc/Scribner, the author, and NetGalley.

This story is unlike any other I’ve read. I can’t quite put my finger on the dynamics or the underlying reasons for it.

The book follows the lives of three generations of the Valiat women, from their beginnings until the Iranian Revolution and their subsequent settlement in the US. It delves into their struggle to balance tradition with modernity, portraying a ‘war’ between the two.

It explores some profound themes, including immigration, the aftermath and impact of the revolution, the stark contrast between the rich and poor, unusual behaviors, identity crises, and the interplay between history and culture.

It is filled with family drama and dynamics, as each character tells their own story in their own unique way. However, the characters themselves are shallow and one-dimensional.

To be honest, I had higher expectations for this book, but it ultimately fell short of my expectations. It felt like a never-ending story that skimmed over the serious issues while delving into rather frivolous matters.

If you’re interested in exploring complex family dynamics, then this book might be worth checking out. I received an advanced copy of the book and this review is mine and voluntary.

Seeing a novel written about an Iranian family before and after the Islamic revolution of the 1970s piqued my interest. I was so pleased when I was selected to receive an ARC. What I found instead of an in-depth look into how lives changed after the Ayatollah’s rise to power, was a glimpse into the day to day superficial going’s on of the formerly rich and powerful Valiat family- now just the rich Valiat family, some remaining in Iran and others in the USA

Grandmother Elizabeth is the matriarch. There are two daughters and two granddaughters The book is written to include the POVs of each of these Valiat women and switches again and again making it difficult to remember who is who and what each one is thinking and doing. They are all rich, spoiled and self absorbed. Eventually I didn’t care a whit about any of them. Belatedly for me a family secret comes to light which underlies the entire plot, lifting to story up toward the end.

All in all this book was sometimes dull and sometimes a bit more interesting. It had much potential which wasn’t realized for me. Two and a half stars rounded to three for a book you might enjoy more than I did. It is being published on March 4, 2025. Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for an advance copy in r change for my review.

This was a great read! The story follows three generations of women in an Iranian family. A part of them immigrate to the US, so we are given POVs about their lives and how they are deeply rooted in each other, even when a couple of them have not seen each other in years or met in person.

These women are very privileged and most of the time it made them navigate life without any regard to consequences. Even their family dynamic was affected by how they perceived themselves and their status.

Loved the secrets and the drama. This was a very fun read!

A sweeping tale of an Iranian-American family in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution. Each character grapples with what it means to be both a “somebody” and a “nobody” in a rapidly changing world.

Exhilarating, emotional, and provocative! The beginning was slow, focusing on Auntie Shirin and introducing the reader to the family. At first glance, the family seemed like they were crazy rich and completely out of touch with reality (perhaps "shallow" is a better word), but as the novel progressed, the story and characters were developed on a much deeper level.

I learned a tremendous amount about the Iranian Revolution, the complexities of identity, culture, desire, love, and the perspective of Americans outside the U.S. At times, the novel took me out of my comfort zone, but it truly pushed me to see identity and longing in a new light. I loved the strong bond of family, and the conclusion was incredibly satisfying!

complex,. interesting, and well done story about coping with change and traveling told through bouncing back and forth in time. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

3.5⭐️ Beautifully written with a lot of family drama! This book covers multiple timelines in Iran and the US. Told from multiple POV’s from 3 generations of the Valiat family. The characters are rich, and sometimes tragic.

I found the female driven storylines interesting and compelling. From grandmother Elizabeth, known for her big nose, to daughters Shiren and Seema, to the granddaughters Bita and Niaz, their lives, loves and tragedies will draw you in. A long kept family secret is revealed at the end.

Some of the language is beautiful and touching. My one complaint is it was sometimes difficult to keep the many MC voices and timelines straight.

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner Publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji is a stunning debut novel that seamlessly weaves humor, heartache, and a sharp lens on identity, belonging, and family. It’s both deeply personal and universally relatable, offering a fresh take on the immigrant experience and the ties that bind us—sometimes too tightly.

The Valiat family is unforgettable. Mahloudji masterfully crafts five complex women, each navigating her own struggles, dreams, and disillusionments. From Elizabeth, the proud yet lonely matriarch in Tehran, to Shirin, the bold and chaotic event planner in Houston, to Bita, the contemplative law student in New York, every character feels vividly real. Their tensions, joys, and heartbreaks are brought to life in a way that’s both satirical and deeply human.

What makes this novel shine is its ability to balance biting humor with poignant exploration. The Valiats’ annual Aspen vacation, a collision of personalities and unresolved histories, cracks open their fragile dynamic and sets the stage for introspection, growth, and unexpected revelations. Mahloudji’s prose is sharp, lyrical, and unflinching, moving effortlessly through time and place—from 1940s Iran to 2000s America—while addressing themes of revolution, displacement, and reinvention.

This isn’t just a family saga; it’s a profound meditation on what it means to start over, to long for a past that no longer exists, and to find meaning in a world that often feels indifferent. Funny, heartbreaking, and brimming with insight, The Persians is a triumph—a novel that will stay with you long after the final page. Highly recommended!

I was excited to read The Persians, particularly for the setting and characters. But the writing was unnecessarily long winded, and there wasn't much backstory provided to set the scene.

I think this book will be one of the hits of 2025 and can’t wait to talk about it with more people! Elizabeth, Niaz, Shirin, Seema, and Bitta are each fascinating, well developed, and unique characters. I loved the details from the different time periods and settings of their lives and seeing how they interacted with each other. It is a classic family saga but I loved all of the details on Iranian history and culture in particular.

I was glad that I received an ARC of this novel because the premise of it sounded very interesting to me and I believed that this novel would be one that I would very much enjoy reading. This book focuses on members of the Valiat family, who were prominent in Iran but who were no longer perceived this way when they moved to the United States of America. Overall, I did like this book but I did not love it. I found the pacing of the novel to be a bit off in some parts so this made me want to pause my reading of the novel at times. I also felt like many parts of this novel were repetitive, so this also put me off from reading it at times. The characters themselves featured in the story were interesting and had intriguing backstories, but I just could not find myself truly invested in their lives due to the way the novel was written. I rated this book three stars because I thought this novel was just okay and honestly I did expect more from the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The author was written a compelling narrative about the complexities of family, societal, and generational expectations and how those internal motivations color perception. Each character is portrayed realistically, and none--quite frankly--is particularly sympathetic, but Mahloudji does an outstanding job conveying the forces that have shaped each character so we have perspective on the WHY behind their beliefs and behavior. I most enjoyed the creative elements related to cultural traditions and norms I am an outsider to. There were moments the story felt ponderous, but you become so drawn into the story so learn the outcome of events, it is worth wading through some of the laborious narrative to the gems.

I wasn't sure about the first few pages of Sanam Mahloudji's The Persians: I was thrust into the middle of a chaotic, loud, excited, messy family with warring POVs, spouts of bickering, intricate family history, and ostentatious displays of wealth. However, it took less than a chapter to suck me in fully. Mahloudji's writing brings the cast of women to life so vividly that you can picture them snipping at each other in the back of cabs or over a game of cards like they're sitting on either side of you. Weaving a tale from New York to Iran and back again, from present day to past decades, from one generation to another to another, the book does an excellent job keeping the pace fast and the story moving. It's an impressive feat for Mahloudji, who has high ambitions in this chaotic and unruly story, but whose ambitions are matched by her talent in story-telling and character development. I was hooked on these women from start to end. I can't wait to read what she writes next!

The Persians is a fascinating look at one prominent (or formerly prominent) family through five of its women. Each chapter brings us a different point of view and glimpse at the lives of Elizabeth (the matriarch with a few secrets), her daughters Seema and Shirin, and granddaughters Bita and Niaz. There is a lot of humor, but also tragedy woven throughout the pages. Overall, I found this to be an unusual and entertaining read and loved learning more about the women of the Valiat family.

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.