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The House On Sun Street
A young girl grows up in a family uprooted by the terror of an Islamic Revolution, where her culture, her gender, and her education are in peril.
For the curious and imaginative Moji, there is no better place to grow up than the lush garden of her grandparents in Tehran. However, as she sits with her sister underneath the grapevines, listening to their grandfather recount the enchanting stories of One Thousand and One Nights, revolution is brewing in her homeland. Soon, the last monarch of Iran will leave the country, and her home and her family will never be the same.
From Moji’s house on Sun Street, readers experience the 1979 Iranian revolution through the eyes of a young girl and her family members during a time of concussive political and social change. Moji must endure the harrowing first days of the violent revolution, a fraught passage to the US where there is only hostility from her classmates during the Iranian hostage crisis, her father’s detainment by the Islamic Revolutionary Army, and finally, the massive change in the status of women in post-revolution Iran.
Along with these seismic shifts, for Moji, there are also the universal perils of love, sexuality, and adolescence. However, since Moji’s school is centered on political indoctrination, even a young girl’s innocent crush can mean catastrophe. Is Moji able to pull through? Will her family come to her rescue? And just like Scheherazade, will the power of stories help her prevail?
For the curious and imaginative Moji, there is no better place to grow up than the lush garden of her grandparents in Tehran. However, as she sits with her sister underneath the grapevines, listening to their grandfather recount the enchanting stories of One Thousand and One Nights, revolution is brewing in her homeland. Soon, the last monarch of Iran will leave the country, and her home and her family will never be the same.
From Moji’s house on Sun Street, readers experience the 1979 Iranian revolution through the eyes of a young girl and her family members during a time of concussive political and social change. Moji must endure the harrowing first days of the violent revolution, a fraught passage to the US where there is only hostility from her classmates during the Iranian hostage crisis, her father’s detainment by the Islamic Revolutionary Army, and finally, the massive change in the status of women in post-revolution Iran.
Along with these seismic shifts, for Moji, there are also the universal perils of love, sexuality, and adolescence. However, since Moji’s school is centered on political indoctrination, even a young girl’s innocent crush can mean catastrophe. Is Moji able to pull through? Will her family come to her rescue? And just like Scheherazade, will the power of stories help her prevail?
325 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2023
23 people are currently reading
4197 people want to read
About the author
Mojgan Ghazirad
6 books40 followersA native of Iran, Mojgan Ghazirad graduated from Tehran University of Medical Sciences with medical degree. She studied pediatrics at Inova Children’s Hospital and received her neonatal medicine specialty from the George Washington University. She currently works as an assistant professor of pediatrics at the George Washington University Hospital and Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. Her essays and short stories in English have appeared in Longreads, Michigan Quarterly Review, Idaho Review, New Orleans Review, Nowruz Journal, The Common, Assignment, Best American Travel Writing 2020, etc. Her Persian writings have been published in Zanan, Hengam, Shargh Daily and Salamat Magazine.
She has published three collections of short stories in Farsi in Iran and Europe: A Lover in White Jacket in 2012 in Iran, Turquoise Dream in 2014 in Germany, and her last collection In the Solitude of Suitcases in 2016 in the UK. She has earned an MFA in creative writing from the Mountainview Low-Residency MFA in January 2018. Her autobiographical novel The House on Sun Street will be published by Blair in October 2023. The novel depicts her memories of growing in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and the years of war between Iran and Iraq after the Revolution.
Mojgan Lives with her family in Great Falls, Virginia.
She has published three collections of short stories in Farsi in Iran and Europe: A Lover in White Jacket in 2012 in Iran, Turquoise Dream in 2014 in Germany, and her last collection In the Solitude of Suitcases in 2016 in the UK. She has earned an MFA in creative writing from the Mountainview Low-Residency MFA in January 2018. Her autobiographical novel The House on Sun Street will be published by Blair in October 2023. The novel depicts her memories of growing in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and the years of war between Iran and Iraq after the Revolution.
Mojgan Lives with her family in Great Falls, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 2, 2024
In a Nutshell: A historical autofiction based on a young girl’s recollections of what happened in Iran during and after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Not as traumatic as I had expected, which is both good and bad. Impactful in its writing. Disliked the final quarter or so, but the rest was great.
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Story Synopsis:
As an OwnVoices work, the story offers a genuine glimpse of Iranian history, culture, and thinking. We get to see life in Iran before the revolution as well, where women were free to wear what they want, pursue education, and have an individuality outside of the men in their lives. The changes after the revolution impacted women the most, as is always the case in a restrictive regime. The contrast between before and after is stark. Many historical events come up in the course of the story, though only in the background: the US hostage crisis, the Ayatollah Khomeini regime, and the invasion by Iraq in the early 1980s. There is also a small track about racism in the US. There is a lot of Iranian food mentioned in the story, all of which sound mouth-watering.
As the main characters come in two distinct categories: Shah sympathizers and Islamic loyalists (including some extremists), we see the tussle between their ideologies and the extent of political brainwashing on both sides. It is a clear (and scary) representation of what happens when politics mixes with religion, or perhaps I should say: when religion interferes with politics. At the same time, I really appreciate how the writing doesn’t criticise the faith itself but the extremists who misinterpret it out of their own narrowmindedness.
It is interesting to see such a drastic change of lifestyle through the eyes of a young girl, who comes of age during the revolution. As she is just six at the start of the book and it ends with her aged thirteen, we get to see a somewhat simplified version of the new theocracy, but it is still striking enough to make the historical picture clear. I expected to be more emotionally wrought after reading this book, but the choice of narrator kept my emotions firmly in control.
As Moji’s narration is in first person, the general tone of the story feels light, even though it is disturbing to read about some horrifying events from a child’s point of view. At times though, the vocabulary in the dialogues didn’t match Moji’s age; it was too highbrow. I wish the dialogues were more consistent in this sense. (I am reminded here of another compelling child narrator: Scout from ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. Moji is not at the same level, but she is still impactful, at least for the first three-quarters of the book.)
Storytelling has a strong role to play in the story, whether it is the grandfather’s habit of entertaining his granddaughter with stories, or Moji’s passion for books and her tendency to take inspiration from stories, and later, even penning a story. I loved the use of the Arabian book of ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ in the plot. Every chapter begins with a quote from a different story of this classic, with most titles being new to me.
The only *major* flaw for me was the final section, which focussed on Moji’s growing awareness of her sexuality, making the book suddenly seem like a YA novel. Even if the events herein were based on actual incidents – as it is a semi-autobiographical novel, we cannot be sure which parts are fictionalised – it still does not fit into the core plot as the events seem to go off on a tangent. The relationship between the two characters involved and Moji’s age further added to my discomfort and dissatisfaction.
The epilogue was also somewhat disappointing as it took a very big jump - going from Moji aged 13 to contemporary adult-married-parent Moji, with nary an explanation of what happened in the interim. I didn’t like it at all as it created queries instead of providing closure.
Until this final section, I was still confused whether to rate the book 4 or 4.25 stars. But the denouement made my decision easy.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 9 hrs 28 min, is narrated by Nikki Massoud. She handles the narration well. I’d definitely recommend the audio version even to newbie listeners as the timeline is linear and the cast, minimal.
All in all, this is a good book for most of the way. In fact, the final section also will be liked by many, but to me, it really killed the spirit of the main storyline. My rating would have been higher had the final scenes been edited or cut off.
Recommended to those interested in reading an OwnVoices Iranian historical work that has its roots firmly in reality.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to Blair for the DRC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of “The House on Sun Street”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
In 1978, six-year-old Moji and her younger sister love nothing more than to visit her grandparents’ house on Sun Street and listen to their grandfather narrating stories from ‘One Thousand and One Nights’. They do not yet know that the seeds of revolution have already begun to spring up, and very soon, the Shah (the monarch of Iran) will leave his country, changing all their lives.
Through Moji’s eyes, we get to see the days during and after the 1979 revolution, with a glimpse of their brief stint in the US where Moji’s dad had been studying during the uprising.
The story comes to us from Moji’s first person perspective, and covers her life from age six to thirteen.
As an OwnVoices work, the story offers a genuine glimpse of Iranian history, culture, and thinking. We get to see life in Iran before the revolution as well, where women were free to wear what they want, pursue education, and have an individuality outside of the men in their lives. The changes after the revolution impacted women the most, as is always the case in a restrictive regime. The contrast between before and after is stark. Many historical events come up in the course of the story, though only in the background: the US hostage crisis, the Ayatollah Khomeini regime, and the invasion by Iraq in the early 1980s. There is also a small track about racism in the US. There is a lot of Iranian food mentioned in the story, all of which sound mouth-watering.
As the main characters come in two distinct categories: Shah sympathizers and Islamic loyalists (including some extremists), we see the tussle between their ideologies and the extent of political brainwashing on both sides. It is a clear (and scary) representation of what happens when politics mixes with religion, or perhaps I should say: when religion interferes with politics. At the same time, I really appreciate how the writing doesn’t criticise the faith itself but the extremists who misinterpret it out of their own narrowmindedness.
It is interesting to see such a drastic change of lifestyle through the eyes of a young girl, who comes of age during the revolution. As she is just six at the start of the book and it ends with her aged thirteen, we get to see a somewhat simplified version of the new theocracy, but it is still striking enough to make the historical picture clear. I expected to be more emotionally wrought after reading this book, but the choice of narrator kept my emotions firmly in control.
As Moji’s narration is in first person, the general tone of the story feels light, even though it is disturbing to read about some horrifying events from a child’s point of view. At times though, the vocabulary in the dialogues didn’t match Moji’s age; it was too highbrow. I wish the dialogues were more consistent in this sense. (I am reminded here of another compelling child narrator: Scout from ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. Moji is not at the same level, but she is still impactful, at least for the first three-quarters of the book.)
Storytelling has a strong role to play in the story, whether it is the grandfather’s habit of entertaining his granddaughter with stories, or Moji’s passion for books and her tendency to take inspiration from stories, and later, even penning a story. I loved the use of the Arabian book of ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ in the plot. Every chapter begins with a quote from a different story of this classic, with most titles being new to me.
The only *major* flaw for me was the final section, which focussed on Moji’s growing awareness of her sexuality, making the book suddenly seem like a YA novel. Even if the events herein were based on actual incidents – as it is a semi-autobiographical novel, we cannot be sure which parts are fictionalised – it still does not fit into the core plot as the events seem to go off on a tangent. The relationship between the two characters involved and Moji’s age further added to my discomfort and dissatisfaction.
The epilogue was also somewhat disappointing as it took a very big jump - going from Moji aged 13 to contemporary adult-married-parent Moji, with nary an explanation of what happened in the interim. I didn’t like it at all as it created queries instead of providing closure.
Until this final section, I was still confused whether to rate the book 4 or 4.25 stars. But the denouement made my decision easy.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 9 hrs 28 min, is narrated by Nikki Massoud. She handles the narration well. I’d definitely recommend the audio version even to newbie listeners as the timeline is linear and the cast, minimal.
All in all, this is a good book for most of the way. In fact, the final section also will be liked by many, but to me, it really killed the spirit of the main storyline. My rating would have been higher had the final scenes been edited or cut off.
Recommended to those interested in reading an OwnVoices Iranian historical work that has its roots firmly in reality.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to Blair for the DRC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of “The House on Sun Street”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
February 2, 2024
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Nikki Massoud
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
Moji and her sister Mar Mar live in Tehran. They love the stories from The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night that their grandfather reads to them. Right before the Islamic Revolution, the father goes to study in America, and the family is supposed to go with him. But they can't go to America from Iran. The family travels to Europe and tries to get to America from there. After several attempts, they succeed and join their father. Later, the family returns to Iran and finds everything much changed after the revolution.
At the beginning of each chapter, there are excerpts from The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night. The House on Sun Street is autobiographical and tells the story of young author Mojgan Ghazirad and her memories of the Islamic Revolution. I liked the novel and the history and culture of Iran woven into this story.
The narration by Nikki Massoud is excellent.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
Moji and her sister Mar Mar live in Tehran. They love the stories from The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night that their grandfather reads to them. Right before the Islamic Revolution, the father goes to study in America, and the family is supposed to go with him. But they can't go to America from Iran. The family travels to Europe and tries to get to America from there. After several attempts, they succeed and join their father. Later, the family returns to Iran and finds everything much changed after the revolution.
At the beginning of each chapter, there are excerpts from The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night. The House on Sun Street is autobiographical and tells the story of young author Mojgan Ghazirad and her memories of the Islamic Revolution. I liked the novel and the history and culture of Iran woven into this story.
The narration by Nikki Massoud is excellent.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
November 26, 2023
not what I usually read, but wow!! the descriptions and imagery were so beautifully written, I felt like I could picture everything from Moji’s pov
October 12, 2023
The House On Sun Street by Mojgan Ghazirad is a literary fiction that almost is a semi autobiographical story. With quotes from One Thousand and One Nights, it explores a country changing and how a girl's life changes in an instant. It explores a family's changing dynamics, beliefs, tradition, cultural heritage, and religion.
The reader reads this story from the eyes of Moji, a six year old to a 13 year old teenager. The journey of Moji takes us through the transitioning of Iran during 1979 revolution, her brief stay in the US and again back to Iran where women do not have the independence or a voice.
In all honesty, this book was a difficult one to read with everything that is going on in the world right now. No matter how many times we talk about the culture shock, oppression, my heart bleeds and hurts every single time. Power and politics destroy humanity, and Moji's story made me cry. One scene where she was not allowed to play with her friend because of her nationality is particularly heartbreaking. It raises the question again and again that though decisions are taken by someone, how many times will innocents pay.
Thank you, Kaye Publicity, for this book.
The reader reads this story from the eyes of Moji, a six year old to a 13 year old teenager. The journey of Moji takes us through the transitioning of Iran during 1979 revolution, her brief stay in the US and again back to Iran where women do not have the independence or a voice.
In all honesty, this book was a difficult one to read with everything that is going on in the world right now. No matter how many times we talk about the culture shock, oppression, my heart bleeds and hurts every single time. Power and politics destroy humanity, and Moji's story made me cry. One scene where she was not allowed to play with her friend because of her nationality is particularly heartbreaking. It raises the question again and again that though decisions are taken by someone, how many times will innocents pay.
Thank you, Kaye Publicity, for this book.
January 30, 2024
Revolution is brewing in Iran as the monarchy is overthrown and young Moji’s life is about to change.
Raised in an apartment in Tehran with her parents and younger sister, she and her family move to Alabama when her father retires early from the Shah’s army to continue his education. Life isn’t easy as the Iranian hostage situation is happening while they are overseas, and many Americans look at them as enemies of the state. They get by by telling everyone they are from Jordan, but eventually home calls, and they return to Tehran.
Upon their return they have found Ayatollah Khomeini has taken over Iran, and under his theocratic government womens lives look much different than when they left. Believing Moji’s father is still loyal to the Shah, the current tenants of their apartment in Tehran refuse to leave, and they are forced to move in with her grandparents on Sun Street. While their world is in upheaval as the Iran-Iraq war is gearing up, Moji finds solace in her grandfather’s stories from One Thousand and One Nights.
The House on Sun Street is a semi-autobiographical story of the author’s upbringing in Tehran. Ghazirad tells some of her story through the character of Moji a girl coming of age during the Islamic Revolution and then the Iran-Iraq war. Raised in a Westernized Iran that worked to secularize and modernize the country, Moji was surprised to the see the changes before her eyes as the hijab become compulsory after the revolution. Already filled with angst as a girl dealing with changes in her body, the changes in her country became harder and harder to understand.
Many parts of this book were tough as power and politics dictated the direction of young Moji’s life. Her family dealing with the terror of bombings hit hard with all that is going on in the West Bank right now. As someone who was too young to understand the Islamic Revolution, I appreciated seeing it through an innocent’s eyes.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and of course the author Mojgan Ghazirad for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The House on Sun Street is out now. All opinions are my own.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
Raised in an apartment in Tehran with her parents and younger sister, she and her family move to Alabama when her father retires early from the Shah’s army to continue his education. Life isn’t easy as the Iranian hostage situation is happening while they are overseas, and many Americans look at them as enemies of the state. They get by by telling everyone they are from Jordan, but eventually home calls, and they return to Tehran.
Upon their return they have found Ayatollah Khomeini has taken over Iran, and under his theocratic government womens lives look much different than when they left. Believing Moji’s father is still loyal to the Shah, the current tenants of their apartment in Tehran refuse to leave, and they are forced to move in with her grandparents on Sun Street. While their world is in upheaval as the Iran-Iraq war is gearing up, Moji finds solace in her grandfather’s stories from One Thousand and One Nights.
The House on Sun Street is a semi-autobiographical story of the author’s upbringing in Tehran. Ghazirad tells some of her story through the character of Moji a girl coming of age during the Islamic Revolution and then the Iran-Iraq war. Raised in a Westernized Iran that worked to secularize and modernize the country, Moji was surprised to the see the changes before her eyes as the hijab become compulsory after the revolution. Already filled with angst as a girl dealing with changes in her body, the changes in her country became harder and harder to understand.
Many parts of this book were tough as power and politics dictated the direction of young Moji’s life. Her family dealing with the terror of bombings hit hard with all that is going on in the West Bank right now. As someone who was too young to understand the Islamic Revolution, I appreciated seeing it through an innocent’s eyes.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and of course the author Mojgan Ghazirad for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The House on Sun Street is out now. All opinions are my own.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
November 4, 2024
This was an OwnVoices historical autofiction story of Moji as a young girl in Iran during and after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Each chapter opens with excerpts from the Arabian book of ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ which Moji grows up listening to from her grandfather. I really enjoyed these. It was interesting to read as Moji and her family move to Alabama when her father retires early from the Shah’s army to continue his education. The racism she experiences here as a young child hit hard, as she is unaware of the world events occurring. The family's return to Iran and finds everything much changed after the revolution. Moji continues her education and we continue to explore topics of family, loss, first love, sexuality (and its repression), and an unquenchable thirst for stories. While this definitely was interesting and heartfelt, it wasn't all that exciting.
October 29, 2023
A captivating, touching, beautifully-written novel that tells the story of Moji, a curious and often mischievous young girl, who goes through the trials and tribulations of childhood and adolescence against the back-drop of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and then the horrors of the Iran-Iraq War. Not only is the novel rich with stories-within-stories (like One Thousand and One Nights) and gorgeous language and imagery, but it is also steeped with cultural and historical background for the modern-day reader to better understand what it may be like to grow up in the throes of revolution and war in Iran. At its core, The House on Sun Street is a touching coming-of-age story that explores family, loss, first love, sexuality (and its repression), and an unquenchable thirst for stories. A must read and a true page-turner!
November 6, 2023
A heartbreaking story of how politics and religion can change one���s life in every facet.
Young Moji is growing up in Tehran with her family. However, the Iranian revolution of 1979 impacts her in indelible ways. Where she can go, who she can play with, how she can learn - everything changes. Moji’s journey takes her from Iran to the U.S. and back again, following closely the ways she is affected by the new regime.
Young Moji is growing up in Tehran with her family. However, the Iranian revolution of 1979 impacts her in indelible ways. Where she can go, who she can play with, how she can learn - everything changes. Moji’s journey takes her from Iran to the U.S. and back again, following closely the ways she is affected by the new regime.
May 13, 2025
Think Persepolis, but now you’re an adult. I think this book opened my eyes to the Iranian Revolution more than I anticipated. Ghazirad did a great job weaving history into the novel. The ending felt a bit abrupt with the light touches on love and girlhood and discovering one’s sexuality, but ultimately it was a very sweet story. 3.5*
January 22, 2024
Really enjoyed the book, but did not enjoy the ending as much. Was also confused by the love story aspect to the story.
October 6, 2025
To me The House On Sunshine Street read more like a memoir than historical fiction. Let's settle on autofiction then as this is very much the story of Mojgan Ghazirad's childhood.
I loved it. The writing was absolutely exquisite. The way Moji's father loves Persian culture and history really moved me.
Seeing the events of the Islamic Revolution happen through the eyes of a kid really gave me yet another perspective on a historical period I know quite well.
I loved it. The writing was absolutely exquisite. The way Moji's father loves Persian culture and history really moved me.
Seeing the events of the Islamic Revolution happen through the eyes of a kid really gave me yet another perspective on a historical period I know quite well.
November 8, 2023
• Historical Fiction
• Set during the Iranian Islamic Revolution
• Told from the POV of a young Iranian girl
• Touches on many topics including family, oppression and sexuality all within the context of the revolution
• Beautifully written
• Includes epigraphs from The Book of One Thousand and One Nights
• This one hits close to home as my parents and siblings lived through this tumultuous time in Iran prior to when I was born
• I wish the story had a bit more closure, but I thought it was a great debut novel from this author
• Set during the Iranian Islamic Revolution
• Told from the POV of a young Iranian girl
• Touches on many topics including family, oppression and sexuality all within the context of the revolution
• Beautifully written
• Includes epigraphs from The Book of One Thousand and One Nights
• This one hits close to home as my parents and siblings lived through this tumultuous time in Iran prior to when I was born
• I wish the story had a bit more closure, but I thought it was a great debut novel from this author
August 27, 2024
This book was so good….until the last part of the novel where the author introduces an inappropriate and sexualized relationship between a young student and her teacher, which hijacked what was a compelling and interesting read.
March 23, 2024
This was a 4/5 until the last quarter of the book where I felt it got kind of random.
December 29, 2024
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Informative but with a few misses
A six-year-old Moji loves spending time with her family in their house in Tehran. What’s better than listening to her grandfather narrating bedtime stories from One Thousand and One Nights?
However, the Iranian Revolution disrupts their lives. The new regime brings Islamic laws, restricting women to their homes. Moji has to live through the changes, adjust to a new life in the US, and see her father detained by the Islamic Revolutionary Army, all the while growing up into an adolescent with new awareness, questions, and desires.
The story comes in Moji’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
It’s my second book of the month dealing with a tough topic. However, the presentation is the opposite of Tali Girls. Those who want something less traumatic and triggering will find this easier to read.
Iran didn’t go from monarchy to supposed democracy. It went from being a Persian culture to an Islamic one with the colors replaced by black chadors (or burqas) and multiple restrictions on women. A quick internet search about 'Iran then and now' will give you a clear picture of the changes.
More links:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy...
https://www.thehindu.com/news/interna...
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-...
In this book, the changes are recorded by a six-year-old Moji. We see the developments from her eyes. The first part is very strong despite the lack of detail. It presents the uncertainties, the shift from a carefree life to one filled with fear and anxiety, and how easy it is to get carried away by extreme ideas. We also see the racism and hatred little Moji faces during her short stay in the US.
Family is the central theme throughout, it certainly stands out more in the first part. We also learn about the Parsi/ Iranian culture, the language, the region, etc. Moji’s grandfather is easily my favorite character in the book.
The second part has Moji back in Iran but as a twelve-year-old. Things have changed already which soon becomes a background with her fascination for a teacher taking most of the space. I admit I lost interest as this became a bit too much. It is very common for young students to look up to their favorite teachers and develop a crush irrespective of gender. It’s a special feeling when a teacher you like spends more time with you (we’ve been there). But things here get a bit more uncomfortable at one point. No idea if it is a part of the autobiography part or if it is a fictional exaggeration. The age and power dynamics don’t show things in a good light even if I understand the reason for it.
Moreover, I’m not sure if the afterword is by the author or if it should be read like an epilogue. There’s possibly a two-decade jump, where a lot of changes took place in Iran. We get almost no information about this.
To summarize, The House On Sun Street is a worthy read dealing with some important topics. It is slow-paced with fewer triggers. However, I wish the second part was stronger.
It may not even register for others, but the mention of infidels is a trigger for me. In the name of infidels and kafirs, countless rap*s & murders (mass genocides) have been justified for centuries and continue to be even today.
Thank you, Edelweiss+ and Blair, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
One Liner: Informative but with a few misses
A six-year-old Moji loves spending time with her family in their house in Tehran. What’s better than listening to her grandfather narrating bedtime stories from One Thousand and One Nights?
However, the Iranian Revolution disrupts their lives. The new regime brings Islamic laws, restricting women to their homes. Moji has to live through the changes, adjust to a new life in the US, and see her father detained by the Islamic Revolutionary Army, all the while growing up into an adolescent with new awareness, questions, and desires.
The story comes in Moji’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
It’s my second book of the month dealing with a tough topic. However, the presentation is the opposite of Tali Girls. Those who want something less traumatic and triggering will find this easier to read.
Iran didn’t go from monarchy to supposed democracy. It went from being a Persian culture to an Islamic one with the colors replaced by black chadors (or burqas) and multiple restrictions on women. A quick internet search about 'Iran then and now' will give you a clear picture of the changes.
More links:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy...
https://www.thehindu.com/news/interna...
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-...
In this book, the changes are recorded by a six-year-old Moji. We see the developments from her eyes. The first part is very strong despite the lack of detail. It presents the uncertainties, the shift from a carefree life to one filled with fear and anxiety, and how easy it is to get carried away by extreme ideas. We also see the racism and hatred little Moji faces during her short stay in the US.
Family is the central theme throughout, it certainly stands out more in the first part. We also learn about the Parsi/ Iranian culture, the language, the region, etc. Moji’s grandfather is easily my favorite character in the book.
The second part has Moji back in Iran but as a twelve-year-old. Things have changed already which soon becomes a background with her fascination for a teacher taking most of the space. I admit I lost interest as this became a bit too much. It is very common for young students to look up to their favorite teachers and develop a crush irrespective of gender. It’s a special feeling when a teacher you like spends more time with you (we’ve been there). But things here get a bit more uncomfortable at one point. No idea if it is a part of the autobiography part or if it is a fictional exaggeration. The age and power dynamics don’t show things in a good light even if I understand the reason for it.
Moreover, I’m not sure if the afterword is by the author or if it should be read like an epilogue. There’s possibly a two-decade jump, where a lot of changes took place in Iran. We get almost no information about this.
To summarize, The House On Sun Street is a worthy read dealing with some important topics. It is slow-paced with fewer triggers. However, I wish the second part was stronger.
It may not even register for others, but the mention of infidels is a trigger for me. In the name of infidels and kafirs, countless rap*s & murders (mass genocides) have been justified for centuries and continue to be even today.
Thank you, Edelweiss+ and Blair, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
December 31, 2024
The House on Sun Street by Mojgan Ghazirad is a deeply moving and literary exploration of a young girl’s coming-of-age amidst one of the most turbulent times in Iranian history. Narrated by Nikki Massoud, the audiobook immerses you into the heart of Iran during the 1979 revolution, a period when everything that Moji, the young protagonist, has ever known is abruptly upended.
From the very start, the story captivated me with Moji’s innocent yet curious perspective on the world. As she navigates the lush garden of her grandparents' home, life feels magical and full of possibilities, especially as her grandfather tells stories from One Thousand and One Nights. But the political upheaval brewing in the country soon shatters that idyllic existence, and the narrative pulls you into the crushing weight of revolution and its consequences.
Through the eyes of Moji, we witness the seismic shift in Iran’s political landscape, the hardships of displacement, and the heartbreaking consequences of the 1979 revolution. As she goes from being a hopeful six-year-old to a 13-year-old grappling with the realities of war, oppression, and loss, I was struck by the resilience of Moji and her family. One of the most poignant scenes for me was when Moji, in her innocence, is forbidden from playing with a friend simply because of her nationality. That scene, among others, served as a gut-wrenching reminder of how politics and power dictate the lives of innocent people.
What makes The House on Sun Street stand out is its blend of personal and historical storytelling. Moji’s journey through the tumult of her family’s changing dynamics, the loss of personal freedom, and the clash between cultures is both specific to her situation and universally relatable. The cultural shock and oppression felt deeply personal and resonant, especially considering the current global landscape. The question of how political decisions affect innocent lives and force them into situations beyond their control is a theme that runs throughout, making it a thought-provoking read that I can’t shake off.
The use of the One Thousand and One Nights references adds an enchanting layer to the narrative. It provides a comforting contrast to the heavy themes of violence, loss, and displacement, while also reinforcing the power of storytelling as a means of survival. Moji’s ability to find solace in stories, despite the horrors around her, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Although it was at times a painful listen, especially with everything happening in the world today, I found the book to be a powerful exploration of how a family, particularly a young girl, deals with unimaginable loss, cultural upheaval, and a changing world. The portrayal of women’s changing status post-revolution, combined with the universal struggles of adolescence and love, makes this a multifaceted and enriching experience.
Overall, The House on Sun Street is a heart-wrenching and beautifully written book that will stay with you long after the last page is turned. It’s a timely reminder of how politics can shape our lives in ways that are often invisible until it’s too late, and how the power of stories can keep us going when everything else falls apart.
From the very start, the story captivated me with Moji’s innocent yet curious perspective on the world. As she navigates the lush garden of her grandparents' home, life feels magical and full of possibilities, especially as her grandfather tells stories from One Thousand and One Nights. But the political upheaval brewing in the country soon shatters that idyllic existence, and the narrative pulls you into the crushing weight of revolution and its consequences.
Through the eyes of Moji, we witness the seismic shift in Iran’s political landscape, the hardships of displacement, and the heartbreaking consequences of the 1979 revolution. As she goes from being a hopeful six-year-old to a 13-year-old grappling with the realities of war, oppression, and loss, I was struck by the resilience of Moji and her family. One of the most poignant scenes for me was when Moji, in her innocence, is forbidden from playing with a friend simply because of her nationality. That scene, among others, served as a gut-wrenching reminder of how politics and power dictate the lives of innocent people.
What makes The House on Sun Street stand out is its blend of personal and historical storytelling. Moji’s journey through the tumult of her family’s changing dynamics, the loss of personal freedom, and the clash between cultures is both specific to her situation and universally relatable. The cultural shock and oppression felt deeply personal and resonant, especially considering the current global landscape. The question of how political decisions affect innocent lives and force them into situations beyond their control is a theme that runs throughout, making it a thought-provoking read that I can’t shake off.
The use of the One Thousand and One Nights references adds an enchanting layer to the narrative. It provides a comforting contrast to the heavy themes of violence, loss, and displacement, while also reinforcing the power of storytelling as a means of survival. Moji’s ability to find solace in stories, despite the horrors around her, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Although it was at times a painful listen, especially with everything happening in the world today, I found the book to be a powerful exploration of how a family, particularly a young girl, deals with unimaginable loss, cultural upheaval, and a changing world. The portrayal of women’s changing status post-revolution, combined with the universal struggles of adolescence and love, makes this a multifaceted and enriching experience.
Overall, The House on Sun Street is a heart-wrenching and beautifully written book that will stay with you long after the last page is turned. It’s a timely reminder of how politics can shape our lives in ways that are often invisible until it’s too late, and how the power of stories can keep us going when everything else falls apart.
February 26, 2024
Moji is our young narrator who takes us, through her beautiful eyes, to her life in Iran around the revolution, her travelling to the US for a while with her family, and then moving back to Iran.
I wish I could have you all trust me when I say this book is an amazing example of Persian storytelling. The beginning filled me with joy and the ending made me cry as I kept thinking and relating to parts in the book about things that a lot of women in Iran have experienced.
One of the most interesting aspects of this novel is the attention to details that I have not seen depicted in any other diasporic Iranian novels. This is honestly the closest it comes to the portrayal of real life there, at least as far as my experiences go.
Moji can think and judge for herself. Something a lot of us struggled with during those times and probably still do. When we heard the propaganda or read the daily life Islamic manuals from what to do when you go to the bathroom to how to sleep with your partner or do ablutions after your period, thought if we didn't do them we would definitely go to hell afterlife. We thought the rules were constant, written in stone, and not man-made or man-interpreted. The fact that Moji can think independently and trust her parents system of humane thinking, kept my heart warm as I continued my journey through the story.
Also, there are so many tales of male fantasies and sweet stories of falling in love with older women or lovers when men were teenagers. However, I've never read of these feelings in relation to young women, let alone in a Persian novel.
And in the end I have to say that Mojgan Ghazirad has crafted a realistic and beautiful story that is uniquely focused on details that life in Iran was and is comprised of, especially the era mentioned in the book.
کتاب خانهی خیابان خورشید (اسمش به ترجمهی فارسی من البته) از مژگان قاضیراد فکر نکنم هنوز به فارسی ترجمه شده باشه اما اگر خارج از ایران هستین و خوندن داستانهای راجع به ایران و دوس دارین این کتاب خیلی نگاه واقعا بینانه و دید زیبایی به جزییات داره.
خیلی وقتها رمانها و یا داستان کوتاه از نویسندههایی که از ایران مهاجرت کردن رو میخونم بعد فکر میکنم که چه اجبارهایی حس میکنن که همش از همون جزییات تکراری بگن که آدمهایی که ایرانی نیستن اونهارو با اون مثالها میشناسن. اما مژگان اصلا ازینکه اینقدر زیبا متفاوت باشه و جزییات زندگی روزمره توی ایران اونموقع و حتی الان رو بگه نترسیده. از جزییاتی نوشته که من خیلی وقتها بهشون فکر میکنم و برای دوستای غیر ایرانی که درک میکنن و همش انتظار صحبت از چایی و تهدیگ و کوبیده ندارن تعریف میکنم..
مثلا بازی کردن بچه ها با گلهای قالی، یا سر خوردن از دسته ی راه پله یا مثلا پدربزرگ مادربزرگا که سفر حج میرفتن و عروسک و آدم آهنی میآوردن فرقی هم نمیکرد نوه ی پسر باشه یا دختر.
شخصیت اصلی این کت��ب موژیه که با چشم های جوون و دید خیلی قشنگش مارو به زندگی خودش توی ایران یکمی قبل از انقلاب، بعدش و حتی موقعی که با خانواده برای مدتی کوتاهی به آمریکا سفر می کنه میبره.
توی متن انگلیسی خیلی ازین کتاب نوشتم و حس میکنم شاید خیلی از کسایی که اینو میخونن ایران باشن و دسترسی به کتاب نداشته باشن برای همین نمیخوام اینجا بیجا وسوسه کنم. اما اگر خواستین ازین نویسنده چیزی بخونین مژگان سه تا مجموعهی داستان کوتاه به فارسی داره که فکر کنم دوتاشون توی ایران پیدا میشن. البته قیمت های کتاب ایرانم شنیدم و به همین خاطر میگم توی یه وبلاگ هم نوشتههای مژگان به فارسی در دسترس هستن.
I wish I could have you all trust me when I say this book is an amazing example of Persian storytelling. The beginning filled me with joy and the ending made me cry as I kept thinking and relating to parts in the book about things that a lot of women in Iran have experienced.
One of the most interesting aspects of this novel is the attention to details that I have not seen depicted in any other diasporic Iranian novels. This is honestly the closest it comes to the portrayal of real life there, at least as far as my experiences go.
Moji can think and judge for herself. Something a lot of us struggled with during those times and probably still do. When we heard the propaganda or read the daily life Islamic manuals from what to do when you go to the bathroom to how to sleep with your partner or do ablutions after your period, thought if we didn't do them we would definitely go to hell afterlife. We thought the rules were constant, written in stone, and not man-made or man-interpreted. The fact that Moji can think independently and trust her parents system of humane thinking, kept my heart warm as I continued my journey through the story.
Also, there are so many tales of male fantasies and sweet stories of falling in love with older women or lovers when men were teenagers. However, I've never read of these feelings in relation to young women, let alone in a Persian novel.
And in the end I have to say that Mojgan Ghazirad has crafted a realistic and beautiful story that is uniquely focused on details that life in Iran was and is comprised of, especially the era mentioned in the book.
کتاب خانهی خیابان خورشید (اسمش به ترجمهی فارسی من البته) از مژگان قاضیراد فکر نکنم هنوز به فارسی ترجمه شده باشه اما اگر خارج از ایران هستین و خوندن داستانهای راجع به ایران و دوس دارین این کتاب خیلی نگاه واقعا بینانه و دید زیبایی به جزییات داره.
خیلی وقتها رمانها و یا داستان کوتاه از نویسندههایی که از ایران مهاجرت کردن رو میخونم بعد فکر میکنم که چه اجبارهایی حس میکنن که همش از همون جزییات تکراری بگن که آدمهایی که ایرانی نیستن اونهارو با اون مثالها میشناسن. اما مژگان اصلا ازینکه اینقدر زیبا متفاوت باشه و جزییات زندگی روزمره توی ایران اونموقع و حتی الان رو بگه نترسیده. از جزییاتی نوشته که من خیلی وقتها بهشون فکر میکنم و برای دوستای غیر ایرانی که درک میکنن و همش انتظار صحبت از چایی و تهدیگ و کوبیده ندارن تعریف میکنم..
مثلا بازی کردن بچه ها با گلهای قالی، یا سر خوردن از دسته ی راه پله یا مثلا پدربزرگ مادربزرگا که سفر حج میرفتن و عروسک و آدم آهنی میآوردن فرقی هم نمیکرد نوه ی پسر باشه یا دختر.
شخصیت اصلی این کت��ب موژیه که با چشم های جوون و دید خیلی قشنگش مارو به زندگی خودش توی ایران یکمی قبل از انقلاب، بعدش و حتی موقعی که با خانواده برای مدتی کوتاهی به آمریکا سفر می کنه میبره.
توی متن انگلیسی خیلی ازین کتاب نوشتم و حس میکنم شاید خیلی از کسایی که اینو میخونن ایران باشن و دسترسی به کتاب نداشته باشن برای همین نمیخوام اینجا بیجا وسوسه کنم. اما اگر خواستین ازین نویسنده چیزی بخونین مژگان سه تا مجموعهی داستان کوتاه به فارسی داره که فکر کنم دوتاشون توی ایران پیدا میشن. البته قیمت های کتاب ایرانم شنیدم و به همین خاطر میگم توی یه وبلاگ هم نوشتههای مژگان به فارسی در دسترس هستن.
March 17, 2025
- Nothing special with the writing style and several editing mistakes (“I tried to figure out his mood from his gesture and his gate” - pg. 234)
- A meandering plot with no real direction: it felt like this book came about from stringing a series of short scenes together than a dedicated effort at an overarching narrative
- Inconsistent and underdeveloped character personalities: all characters other than Moji feel like one-dimensional fixtures in her life (Mar Mar gives her comfort when she’s upset, Agha Joon is the stable voice of wisdom) but I was never convinced of her closeness to any of them
These points wouldn’t have necessarily warranted a 1-star review, but what put the nail in the coffin was the godawful relationship between Moji and Shirin. This book is, in-part, marketed as a young girl exploring her sexuality, which would’ve been fine if (1) it wasn’t shoehorned into the last 50 or so pages and (2) it wasn’t unveiled through a relationship between a STUDENT and her TEACHER.
Never once is this relationship positioned as something incredibly inappropriate nor is Shirin written in any way that indicates that she unaware of Moji’s feelings. Rather, it seems that Shirin knows exactly what she is doing (the tattoo scene was my last straw) and is entertaining these feelings of her 12-year-old student until she decides to stonewall Moji, effectively sending Moji into a depression. I question the author’s intent in even including such a theme as it was so poorly developed and Moji’s depression so flippantly dealt with (you’re telling me she was sent to the hospital for an ED 10 pages before the book ended) - it is not necessary to have such heavy topics in a book, but when they are included they should be handled with deliberateness and care.
Moreover, why was Moji’s sexuality explored through Shirin when NUSHA was RIGHT THERE? Again, a character that existed for the span of 30 pages or so who was meant as a fixture in Moji’s life before being discarded. It seemed clear to me that the author did not truly care about exploring Moji’s sexuality as a theme as there were so many opportunities to do it in a way that approached the topic with tenderness rather than rushing through it and that APPROPRIATE means of doing so were not even considered.
This genuinely might be one of the worst books I have ever read. It might’ve started as a boring, plainly written, poorly paced historical fiction, but the last quarter proved to me that it was, in fact, an insensitive, “including certain themes as cheap cash grabs” piece of work.
Save your time for historical fiction that genuinely cares about its characters (all of them) and the issues (external AND internal) that they face.
- A meandering plot with no real direction: it felt like this book came about from stringing a series of short scenes together than a dedicated effort at an overarching narrative
- Inconsistent and underdeveloped character personalities: all characters other than Moji feel like one-dimensional fixtures in her life (Mar Mar gives her comfort when she’s upset, Agha Joon is the stable voice of wisdom) but I was never convinced of her closeness to any of them
These points wouldn’t have necessarily warranted a 1-star review, but what put the nail in the coffin was the godawful relationship between Moji and Shirin. This book is, in-part, marketed as a young girl exploring her sexuality, which would’ve been fine if (1) it wasn’t shoehorned into the last 50 or so pages and (2) it wasn’t unveiled through a relationship between a STUDENT and her TEACHER.
Never once is this relationship positioned as something incredibly inappropriate nor is Shirin written in any way that indicates that she unaware of Moji’s feelings. Rather, it seems that Shirin knows exactly what she is doing (the tattoo scene was my last straw) and is entertaining these feelings of her 12-year-old student until she decides to stonewall Moji, effectively sending Moji into a depression. I question the author’s intent in even including such a theme as it was so poorly developed and Moji’s depression so flippantly dealt with (you’re telling me she was sent to the hospital for an ED 10 pages before the book ended) - it is not necessary to have such heavy topics in a book, but when they are included they should be handled with deliberateness and care.
Moreover, why was Moji’s sexuality explored through Shirin when NUSHA was RIGHT THERE? Again, a character that existed for the span of 30 pages or so who was meant as a fixture in Moji’s life before being discarded. It seemed clear to me that the author did not truly care about exploring Moji’s sexuality as a theme as there were so many opportunities to do it in a way that approached the topic with tenderness rather than rushing through it and that APPROPRIATE means of doing so were not even considered.
This genuinely might be one of the worst books I have ever read. It might’ve started as a boring, plainly written, poorly paced historical fiction, but the last quarter proved to me that it was, in fact, an insensitive, “including certain themes as cheap cash grabs” piece of work.
Save your time for historical fiction that genuinely cares about its characters (all of them) and the issues (external AND internal) that they face.
March 17, 2024
A very good historical novel which is steeped firmly in local Iranian culture.
The story is told from the perspective of Moji from the time of the Iranian revolution (at the time she was 6 years old). Moji reminisces about how their grandfather used to read stories from ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ to her and her sister. The revolution brings stress due to the family’s ties to the previous government (Shah regime). Their father first goes over to America, and the family are forced to first go to Europe and getting to America from there proves to a challenge. The family returns to Iran from America after a few years and find a very different country. I liked the sections which describe how many believed that the revolution would usher in happy times and even defended many of the actions of the new establishment (led by clerics). This soon gives way to disenchantment and what follows is repression and curtailment of liberties, especially for women. The war with Iraq forms a good part of the backdrop as well.
The circumstances and characters are very well described. The differences between the life & liberties they had before the revolution and after comes out very well as part of the conversations among family, friends, and acquaintances. And the sense of helplessness people feel, when they know they have no power to bring about change, as retribution from the establishment follows. The story is very political – more than what I expected, but I like the conviction with which the author drives home her points through her characters. A good strong set of characters give voice to what most readers would regard as the most widespread viewpoints. I found many sections to be more matter of fact than what I would have expected with a story like this, nevertheless, the thoughts, motivations and views of the characters are very well explained.
The narration of the audiobook by Nikki Massoud was excellent.
Thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media and the author for a free audiobook review copy.
The story is told from the perspective of Moji from the time of the Iranian revolution (at the time she was 6 years old). Moji reminisces about how their grandfather used to read stories from ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ to her and her sister. The revolution brings stress due to the family’s ties to the previous government (Shah regime). Their father first goes over to America, and the family are forced to first go to Europe and getting to America from there proves to a challenge. The family returns to Iran from America after a few years and find a very different country. I liked the sections which describe how many believed that the revolution would usher in happy times and even defended many of the actions of the new establishment (led by clerics). This soon gives way to disenchantment and what follows is repression and curtailment of liberties, especially for women. The war with Iraq forms a good part of the backdrop as well.
The circumstances and characters are very well described. The differences between the life & liberties they had before the revolution and after comes out very well as part of the conversations among family, friends, and acquaintances. And the sense of helplessness people feel, when they know they have no power to bring about change, as retribution from the establishment follows. The story is very political – more than what I expected, but I like the conviction with which the author drives home her points through her characters. A good strong set of characters give voice to what most readers would regard as the most widespread viewpoints. I found many sections to be more matter of fact than what I would have expected with a story like this, nevertheless, the thoughts, motivations and views of the characters are very well explained.
The narration of the audiobook by Nikki Massoud was excellent.
Thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media and the author for a free audiobook review copy.
January 16, 2024
This was a memorable and touching story about Moji and her family growing up in Iran, living her young years inside the beauty of her grandparents’ home in Tehran, listening to her grandfather’s stories with her younger sister.
In the midst of the Iranian revolution, Moji and her family relocate to the US, where she thrives at first, until people’s prejudices create a hostility, completely breaking my heart. Moji is so full of sweetness and a thirst for knowledge, but she and her sister are shunned for their nationality.
Upon returning home, Iran feels different. The places that were normally bustling with happy faces are now drab and desolate, but Moji is thrilled to be back on Sun Street with her family.
Following Moji to yet, another school, it becomes even clearer to the reader, the drastic changes to their education in the wake of political change. But, this is where Moji starts to grow into adolescence, making friends, discovering books secreted away, embracing her love of learning and stories, and discovering herself (that made me uncomfortable… she is twelve and she is discovering her body, which is totally normal, but I was a little disturbed to read about one specific scene).
All in all this was such a beautiful story. The end got a little muddy for me with the turn it takes. It didn’t seem to fit the theme of the rest of the book, but was still valuable in its realistic portrayal.
I adored Moji! She was strong and kind. She loved stories and the beauty of storytelling. I learned things I didn’t know about the Iranian revolution and found that seeing it through the innocent eyes of a child was a powerful experience.
In the midst of the Iranian revolution, Moji and her family relocate to the US, where she thrives at first, until people’s prejudices create a hostility, completely breaking my heart. Moji is so full of sweetness and a thirst for knowledge, but she and her sister are shunned for their nationality.
Upon returning home, Iran feels different. The places that were normally bustling with happy faces are now drab and desolate, but Moji is thrilled to be back on Sun Street with her family.
Following Moji to yet, another school, it becomes even clearer to the reader, the drastic changes to their education in the wake of political change. But, this is where Moji starts to grow into adolescence, making friends, discovering books secreted away, embracing her love of learning and stories, and discovering herself (that made me uncomfortable… she is twelve and she is discovering her body, which is totally normal, but I was a little disturbed to read about one specific scene).
All in all this was such a beautiful story. The end got a little muddy for me with the turn it takes. It didn’t seem to fit the theme of the rest of the book, but was still valuable in its realistic portrayal.
I adored Moji! She was strong and kind. She loved stories and the beauty of storytelling. I learned things I didn’t know about the Iranian revolution and found that seeing it through the innocent eyes of a child was a powerful experience.
March 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really liked it, stuck with me & would recommend
For the curious and imaginative Moji, there is no better place to grow up than the lush garden of her grandparents in Tehran. However, as she sits with her sister underneath the grapevines, listening to their grandfather recount the enchanting stories of One Thousand and One Nights, revolution is brewing in her homeland. Soon, the last monarch of Iran will leave the country, and her home and her family will never be the same.
I loved Moji's childhood perspective of The Iranian Revolution. The isolation of her family, the fear, the extreme change in her daily life are described with great empathy and care.
I really enjoyed Moji's grandfather's weaving of the story of One Thousand and One Nights, throughout, representing the historical, culture rich, heritage of Iran. It's contrasted with the extreme cultural change imposed on all levels of lranian society, even down to what young girls, like Moji can and does study. Her parents, her uncle, her grandparents, and her friends within the story expressed a facet of the extreme shift in ideology and its repercussions.
The narrator, Nikki Massoud, did a good job, I had no trouble understanding who was saying what, where, when, and with what expression/intension. I don't know the traditional pronunciations, but I did like how Massoud enunciated the Farsi words and phrases.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and author Mojgan Ghazirad
for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The House on Sun Street is out January 23, 2024.
For the curious and imaginative Moji, there is no better place to grow up than the lush garden of her grandparents in Tehran. However, as she sits with her sister underneath the grapevines, listening to their grandfather recount the enchanting stories of One Thousand and One Nights, revolution is brewing in her homeland. Soon, the last monarch of Iran will leave the country, and her home and her family will never be the same.
I loved Moji's childhood perspective of The Iranian Revolution. The isolation of her family, the fear, the extreme change in her daily life are described with great empathy and care.
I really enjoyed Moji's grandfather's weaving of the story of One Thousand and One Nights, throughout, representing the historical, culture rich, heritage of Iran. It's contrasted with the extreme cultural change imposed on all levels of lranian society, even down to what young girls, like Moji can and does study. Her parents, her uncle, her grandparents, and her friends within the story expressed a facet of the extreme shift in ideology and its repercussions.
The narrator, Nikki Massoud, did a good job, I had no trouble understanding who was saying what, where, when, and with what expression/intension. I don't know the traditional pronunciations, but I did like how Massoud enunciated the Farsi words and phrases.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and author Mojgan Ghazirad
for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The House on Sun Street is out January 23, 2024.
May 4, 2024
"The House on Sun Street" is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. We meet Moji, a young girl whose idyllic life in Tehran revolves around her loving family, particularly her storytelling grandfather. This peace is shattered by the revolution, throwing Moji's world into turmoil.
We experience the upheaval through the eyes of Moji, whose idyllic childhood crumbles as the Shah's brutal regime is replaced by the Islamic Republic. Gharzirad's strength lies in presenting both sides of the coin. We see the repression under the Shah, but also the fear and limitations imposed by the revolution's new order. Moji's childish innocence makes the historical events all the more impactful. Her confusion over curfews, her longing for the stories her grandfather used to tell under the grapevines – these paint a poignant picture of a world turned upside down.
However, the book falters in its later sections as Moji develops an infatuation with a female teacher, which unfolds in a way that feels unnecessarily drawn-out and frankly disturbing. The sexual undertones in a young girl's perspective were uncomfortable and didn't seem to serve the narrative at all. This entire section overshadowed the powerful coming-of-age story and the nuanced historical backdrop I enjoyed earlier, which explains the rating. While "The House on Sun Street" starts strong, the misstep in the final quarter left me disappointed, diminishing the impact of the powerful themes explored earlier.
We experience the upheaval through the eyes of Moji, whose idyllic childhood crumbles as the Shah's brutal regime is replaced by the Islamic Republic. Gharzirad's strength lies in presenting both sides of the coin. We see the repression under the Shah, but also the fear and limitations imposed by the revolution's new order. Moji's childish innocence makes the historical events all the more impactful. Her confusion over curfews, her longing for the stories her grandfather used to tell under the grapevines – these paint a poignant picture of a world turned upside down.
However, the book falters in its later sections as Moji develops an infatuation with a female teacher, which unfolds in a way that feels unnecessarily drawn-out and frankly disturbing. The sexual undertones in a young girl's perspective were uncomfortable and didn't seem to serve the narrative at all. This entire section overshadowed the powerful coming-of-age story and the nuanced historical backdrop I enjoyed earlier, which explains the rating. While "The House on Sun Street" starts strong, the misstep in the final quarter left me disappointed, diminishing the impact of the powerful themes explored earlier.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2024
This is a beautiful coming of age story set in between Iran, the US, and Iran again, following a queer Iranian girl in an awful time in Iran's history. It's moving, at times painful, and very human. There's some weight loss/starvation/self harm content, as a heads up for anyone who's uncomfortable reading that, but it doesn't feel like trauma-porn. It feels realistic for the difficulty of the time and the situation
📚 Series or Standalone: standalone
📚 Genre: historical literary fiction
📚 Target Age Group: adult
📚 Cliffhanger: no
✨ Will I Reread: maybe
✨ Recommended For: fans of literary fiction, people who want to understand the US-Middle Eastern political conflict situation a little better through a personal lens
💕 Characters: 4/5
💕 Writing: 5/5
💕 Plot: 5/5
💕 Pacing: 4/5
💕 Unputdownability: 3/5
💕 Enjoyment: 4/5
💕 Book Cover: 5/5
Thanks, NetGalley and Blair, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
📚 Series or Standalone: standalone
📚 Genre: historical literary fiction
📚 Target Age Group: adult
📚 Cliffhanger: no
✨ Will I Reread: maybe
✨ Recommended For: fans of literary fiction, people who want to understand the US-Middle Eastern political conflict situation a little better through a personal lens
💕 Characters: 4/5
💕 Writing: 5/5
💕 Plot: 5/5
💕 Pacing: 4/5
💕 Unputdownability: 3/5
💕 Enjoyment: 4/5
💕 Book Cover: 5/5
Thanks, NetGalley and Blair, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2024
Set during the Iranian revolution, a time of extreme upheaval, The House on Sun Street illustrates the deep love of a multigenerational Iranian family. The tenderness was made all the more powerful by the stark realities of their situation.
I really loved all the history that this book introduced me to. My curiosity about this era was ignited while reading. I even did some additional research to learn more.
Unfortunately, it got REAL uncomfortable at the 85% mark for seemingly no reason.
It’s possible that it was trying to illustrate the challenge of puberty in a society where sexuality was so shamed, but that is a very challenging and complex topic to try and stick on at the end. Especially when the character is only 12.
Thank you Mojgan Ghazirad, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for my gifted audiobook. My opinions are my own.
Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 4
Character Development - 4
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 4
Final Score - 4.2
I really loved all the history that this book introduced me to. My curiosity about this era was ignited while reading. I even did some additional research to learn more.
Unfortunately, it got REAL uncomfortable at the 85% mark for seemingly no reason.
It’s possible that it was trying to illustrate the challenge of puberty in a society where sexuality was so shamed, but that is a very challenging and complex topic to try and stick on at the end. Especially when the character is only 12.
Thank you Mojgan Ghazirad, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for my gifted audiobook. My opinions are my own.
Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 4
Character Development - 4
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 4
Final Score - 4.2
June 26, 2025
The book is geared towards a middle school audience so the writing is simple but fairly interesting. I liked seeing the acute personal impacts of the cultural and political changes in Iran during this time. I also liked the use of The 1,001 Nights book as a story within a story. It focuses on the POV of a young girl experiencing personal growth struggles from second grade through middle school while trying to carefully find a safe path through knowledge, identity and relationships. Some of the themes covered are coming of age, navigating friendships, familial bonds, literary learning, book banning, political impacts on society, the drastic difference between secular and religious culture, restrictions and danger to women in the Iranian Islamic Republic of the 80s, eating disorders, long lasting influence of first intimate moments on young people, same sex attraction. I listened to it on Hoopla and it was well narrated, but I didn't love it.
October 14, 2023
I read that The House on Sun Street is historical fiction based on the author’s early life in Iran, growing up during the Iran Revolution. Young Moji spends as much time as possible in the grandparents’ garden. Her grandfather is a storyteller, and the days are idyllic and full of happy times, as a tremendous storm brews outside the garden walls.
Eventually, Moji and her family travel to the United States where she meets with racism. Traveling through the years, Moji shares all she and her family endure between societal and cultural pressures. The story is engaging, and I quickly was invested in Moji. It is quite the compelling journey of a family trying their best to survive all they encounter in a shifting, changing community, country, world.
I highly recommend The House on Sun Street for readers of Song of a Captive Bird (another book I highly recommend) and anyone who loves a well-constructed powerful story of family steeped in culture.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Eventually, Moji and her family travel to the United States where she meets with racism. Traveling through the years, Moji shares all she and her family endure between societal and cultural pressures. The story is engaging, and I quickly was invested in Moji. It is quite the compelling journey of a family trying their best to survive all they encounter in a shifting, changing community, country, world.
I highly recommend The House on Sun Street for readers of Song of a Captive Bird (another book I highly recommend) and anyone who loves a well-constructed powerful story of family steeped in culture.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
January 21, 2024
This normally isn’t the kinda of book I go for when I search for a audiobooks. But thanks to NetGalley and the editor and autor I had access to this audiobook and blow my mind. This book is settled during the Iranian revolution a not easy time, and the whole multigenerational portrait of this family. Growing in this time period and in this situation being a child then a adolescent and going throw adulthood was chef kiss. The narrator did a brilliant job, the plot was brilliant too and the character development was something I truly enjoy in this book. In the end it was a beautiful written story I enjoy lots
April 23, 2024
Very disappointed in this novel. It's strangely disjointed, like two completely different novels forced into one. The change in direction was just odd, and honestly, the theme of 1001 Nights that runs through the book just wasn't captured in the narrative itself. In the last part, the protagonist also seemed much older than 12, which made it difficult to view her as a child, especially when she was waxing poetically about her adult teacher. I think the book started out well, but lost its direction after Moji started attending her new school.
April 22, 2024
This is a fantastic book about identity and culture, focused on a young girl growing up during the Iranian Revolution. I also loved the topic of the power of stories within this book, as our main character Moji begins to read other banned texts after she notices missing books in her school library. If you love inspiring historical reads, I'd highly recommend!
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2025
There were elements of this book I liked very much. However, it felt like two separate books that did not really meet up. The half that told of the experience of the Islamic Revolution in Iran was very interesting, told from the perspective of a 12 year old girl, amidst her family who sat on both sides of the divide. The other half was a first-unrequited-love story which took up much of the latter part of the book; I did not think this added much to the story.
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