Mahbod Seraji - Rooftops of Tehran

READERS GUIDE

A CONVERSATION WITH MAHBOD SERAJI

A. Thank you for letting everyone know that Im an old man!

A. Ah, but its well known that editors remain forever young. Anyway, getting back to your question, Ive wanted to write ever since I was ten years old when I read my first book, Jack Londons White Fang, a translation into Persian from the original English, on the same rooftop thats depicted in this novel. But life always got in the way of my writing. Then, a few years ago, I lost my job, and that was the best thing that ever happened to me. I started writing and havent stopped since.

As for the novel, some of it is based on actual events, but not all of it. So its important to point out that this is not an autobiography. Its also important to note that I fictionalized Golesorkhis trial by changing the date and some of the words he used defending himself in court.

A. I wish I could say that Ive mastered the English language. Theres always more to learn! Learning a new language is a challenge faced by millions of people living in countries other than their homelands, and learning English is hard. One of the hardest things Ive ever done. When I first came to the United States, I ate Big Mac, Small Fries, Small Coke for six weeks because thats all I knew how to order. Im sure the McDonalds Corporations revenue skyrocketed that quarter! The trick to learning any foreign language lies in assimilating yourself into the culture of your host country, mingling with the native speakers, watching lots of television, andthe one factor that unfortunately many people ignorereading as much as you can. The first non-textbook English-language book I read was Erich Fromms Art of Loving. And for me that translated into the Art of Loving to Read. Since then, Ive been reading religiously. Some of my favorite authors are named in Rooftops of Tehran: Emile Zola, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Maxim Gorky, Jack London, John Steinbeck, Bernard Shaw, Noam Chomsky, and many others.

A. I dont want to generalize or offend anyone in either country, so please forgive me if I do. Americans are wonderful people: kind, accepting, honest. They tend to do as they say and act in fair-minded, balanced ways. This countrys higher education system is excellent, both in terms of quality and accessibility. Here anybody can go to college. Many countries simply cant accommodate many students. And by the way, most people who came here in the seventies came to get an education. They didnt wake up one morning and say, Im going to America to be free. They said, Ill go there to get an education. Thats an important distinction. It was only after they were here for a while that they fully appreciated the freedoms we enjoy here.