The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji (2024): A Review

Title: The Persians

Author: Sanam Mahloudji

Publication Year: 2024

Pages: 384 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction

Awards: Women's Prize for Fiction Winners (shortlisted)

Source: Audiobook @everand_us

"The Persians" (not the one by Aeschylus) tells the story of several generations of Iranian women from a prominent and wealthy family. Some women remain in Iran after the revolution, while others uproot their lives and escape to the U.S. to find a life away from the chaos and oppression during and after the Iranian revolution.

The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Elizabeth (the grandmother who stays in Iran), Shirin (the daughter who leaves her own daughter, Niaz, behind and moves to the U.S. before the revolution), and Seema (another daughter who also moves to the U.S.). The next generation includes Bita (Seema's daughter living in the U.S.) and Niaz (Shirin's daughter, who is left behind in Iran to live with Elizabeth).

Each woman shares her story, discussing their experiences in Iran, their wealthy and prominent family background, their varying attitudes—whether obnoxious or humble—toward others, family, and wealth, as well as themes like motherhood, family relationships, and the pride or shame associated with their ancestors. I have mixed feelings about this novel, and I can't quite explain why. Perhaps it's the storytelling, the weak character development, and the familiarity of their experiences with displacement that resonate with me, reflecting aspects of my life as an Iranian living abroad—even though I don't come from a wealthy or prominent family.

One undeniable aspect is the significance of the historical events shaping these characters' lives; however, they remain mainly in the background, like a domino effect triggering each woman's journey forward. This portrayal of history feels realistic and relatable; once you leave, your history and homeland become a backdrop as you continue your life, especially if you cannot or choose not to return. If you're interested in reading about Iran and how women live there, focus on Niaz's story. However, be warned: this is not a historical narrative; it merely references a few key historical events.

While many parts of the story made me uncomfortable—and some even annoyed me, particularly those regarding Shirin—there is a scene where all these women are together in America. At this moment, Niaz tells Bita, "You, with your Western liberal perspective, want to be so tolerant of everyone that you can't make distinctions."

I wanted to write a very detailed review, but I found it exhausting, especially when going through ancient and recent history, especially when it is not history but your experience! For now, discussing the novel in detail is beyond my energy, as reading it mentally fatigued me. Although we appreciate representation in literature and media, when we do get it—at least for me—it feels exhausting to look into the mirror and see ourselves reflected in it, especially when we do not want to be reminded!