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The Walk-In Closet
Winner of the 2015 Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBT DebutWinner in the “Gay and Lesbian Fiction" category of the 2014 International Book AwardsFinalist in the Best Multicultural Fiction Category at the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards"Absorbing entertainment. I walked into Nazemian's walk-in closet and didn't want to walk out." Kelly Oxford, author of Everything is Perfect When You’re a Liar"Absolutely engrossing read from page one- Abdi Nazemian has painted a world so vivid and real that even if you know nothing of 'Tehrangeles', by the end you feel as if you are a part it. I simply COULD NOT put this book down! " Busy Philipps“At once wickedly funny and devastatingly moving, The Walk-In Closet is a thrilling ride from start to finish. Nazemian surprises with every turn he takes, telling a story that vividly illustrates the price of living in a closet.” Chaz Bono, author of Family Outing, The End of Innocence and Transition"I relished every moment of this warm, funny, brutally engaging novel. Abdi Nazemian's Los Angeles is both uncannily familiar and entirely foreign. Put this in the canon of LA Nazemian has written a side of Los Angeles prevalent in real life but rarely seen in fiction." Katherine Taylor, author of Rules for Saying Goodbye" If you like Shahs of Sunset you'll love The Walk-In Closet. Abdi Nazemian shines a white hot, entertaining spotlight on the ins and outs of Tehrangeles. Abdi will get your inner Persian princess purring. Curl up and enjoy this fabulous debut!" -- Jessica Bendinger, author of The Seven Rays, screenwriter of Bring it On and Sex and the City"The Walk-In Closet is a contemporary fable of love, loss and redemption, set between cultures and between the sexes. Written at a spanking pace, with humor, suspense and a heart, it captures the voice of a generation and paves the way to a new genre of literary fiction." Lila Azam Zanganeh, author of The Nabokov and HappinessKara Walker has never found much glamour in her own life, especially not when compared to the life of her best friend Bobby Ebadi. Bobby, along with his sophisticated parents Leila and Hossein, is everything Kara always wanted to be. The trio provides the perfect antidote to what Kara views as the more mundane problems of her girlfriends and her divorced parents.And so when the Ebadis assume that Kara is Bobby’s girlfriend, she willingly steps into the role. She enjoys the perks of life in this closet, not only Leila’s designer hand-me-downs and free rent, but also the excitement of living life as an Ebadi.As Kara’s 30th birthday approaches, Leila and Hossein up the pressure. They are ready for Kara to assume the mantle of the next Mrs. Ebadi, and Bobby seems prepared to give them what they the illusion of a traditional home and grandchildren. How far will Kara be willing to go? And will she be willing to pull the Persian rug out from under them when she discovers that her own secret is just one of many lurking inside the Ebadi closet?•About the Abdi Nazemian is the screenwriter of The Quiet, Celeste in the City, Beautiful Girl, and the short film Revolution, which he also directed. He is an alumnus of the Sundance Writer’s Lab, a mentor at the Outfest Screenwriter’s Lab, and has taught screenwriting at UCLA Extension. He lives in Los Angeles with his two children, and his dog Hedy Lamarr. The Walk-In Closet is his first novel.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2014
6 people are currently reading
1076 people want to read
About the author
Abdi Nazemian
13 books1,070 followersAbdi Nazemian is the author of Only This Beautiful Moment - winner of the 2024 Stonewall Award and 2024 Lambda Literary Award - and Like a Love Story, a Stonewall Honor Book and one of Time Magazine’s Best YA Books Of All Time. He is also the author of the young adult novels Desert Echoes, The Chandler Legacies, and The Authentics. His novel The Walk-In Closet won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Debut Fiction. His screenwriting credits include the films The Artist’s Wife, The Quiet, and Menendez: Blood Brothers and the television series Ordinary Joe and The Village. He has been an executive producer and associate producer on numerous films, including Call Me by Your Name, Little Woods, and The House of Tomorrow. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband, their two children, and their dog, Disco. Find him online at abdinazemian.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 8, 2025
This was a bit disappointing after such stellar books by this author. I really didn’t care for any of the characters but it was still an interesting read and, from my experience, a pretty good representation of this community within a community of west side Los Angeles.
May 30, 2014
I didn’t know anything about the world of the rich, vulgar, dark-haired, ostentatious, desperately human and real Persians whom Abdi Nazemian
writes about in his debut novel THE WALK-IN CLOSET, and I thought I didn’t want to know. But beware of the power of the comic
artist, which Mr. Nazemian most abundantly is. I laughed and laughed at how awful his people were, until I realized how, through
his generosity and expert selection of detail, he was offering them up not as targets to be sneered at but as people to be loved, as he
loves them. Which he does — and so I did, too. The book is irresistible, hilarious, brave, and I can’t say ultimately deeply moving because,
beneath its shiny, farcical surface, it has been deeply moving all along.
writes about in his debut novel THE WALK-IN CLOSET, and I thought I didn’t want to know. But beware of the power of the comic
artist, which Mr. Nazemian most abundantly is. I laughed and laughed at how awful his people were, until I realized how, through
his generosity and expert selection of detail, he was offering them up not as targets to be sneered at but as people to be loved, as he
loves them. Which he does — and so I did, too. The book is irresistible, hilarious, brave, and I can’t say ultimately deeply moving because,
beneath its shiny, farcical surface, it has been deeply moving all along.
June 26, 2014
In "The Walk In Closet," Kara has been intrigued by the Ebadi family for a long time. She loves them and wants nothing more than to please them that she is willing to pretend that she is the serious girlfriend of their son, who is gay. When Kara accidentally discovers that there may be more family secrets there, she is torn between protecting the family she loves and making sure that the secret stays hidden.
This book has a little bit of everything for a lot of kinds of readers. There is an interesting storyline, spurts of comedy, and a fascinating setting (Los Angeles in the Persian community also known as Tehrangeles). Though for me, the most interesting aspect of this book was really the characters. The author writes them in such a way that they stay really interesting as they change throughout the book. This book is filled with flawed characters who have some pretty heavy schedules. Everyone seems to be hiding something and living in a way that isn't true to what they really want in life.
This book started out very differently than it ended. At first the book focuses on Kara and Babak (nicknamed Bobby) trying to hide the true nature of their relationship from his conservative parents. The book turns into something wholly different as Kara discovers even more secrets and there is where it gets really interesting but I don't want to give anything away. Just know if you're looking for a good page turner with secrets in spades, this is a great pick!
This book has a little bit of everything for a lot of kinds of readers. There is an interesting storyline, spurts of comedy, and a fascinating setting (Los Angeles in the Persian community also known as Tehrangeles). Though for me, the most interesting aspect of this book was really the characters. The author writes them in such a way that they stay really interesting as they change throughout the book. This book is filled with flawed characters who have some pretty heavy schedules. Everyone seems to be hiding something and living in a way that isn't true to what they really want in life.
This book started out very differently than it ended. At first the book focuses on Kara and Babak (nicknamed Bobby) trying to hide the true nature of their relationship from his conservative parents. The book turns into something wholly different as Kara discovers even more secrets and there is where it gets really interesting but I don't want to give anything away. Just know if you're looking for a good page turner with secrets in spades, this is a great pick!
May 29, 2014
What a great and perfect book for summer - it immediately immerses you in an exciting world one doesn't often get perspective into, and once you are in, you won't put the book down til you finish! The author created a perfect lead character in Kara. She guides the reader around culturally as an observer, and as a bonus you get to be a voyeur into her life. There are so many layers to both learn about and from, as well as connect and relate to. This story will appeal to everyone.
June 7, 2014
The Walk In Closet first opens to walls of white lacquered surface, filled with opulence and, well, surface. We meet a wealthy Persian family, the Ebadi's, immigrants from Iran who arrived after the fall of the Shah and have only one remaining son. The family showers their son's live in "girlfriend" with over the top gifts and wills them to make their union official and produce some offspring. Our narrator is the beard, Kara, and she and Bobby, her best friend and would be husband agree that if they will never out right lie about their relationship and will end it if one of them ever meets someone. However, Kara, nursing a broken heart accepts a celibate existence and Hermes hand me downs to indulge the Ebadis. Bobby, her best friend and would be husband to be is a writer manqué who devotes most of his energy to online cruising and anonymous hook ups. We also meet Kara's group of chirpy sorority sisters who provide the Greek chorus to her slow motion slide into the Ebadi family facade.
At first I felt this shallow cast was tiresome and longed for Bobby to be the narrator, for some meat behind how a bright and functional kid could so easily shed his family trappings in private but also feel compelled to appease them.
However as the "Nowruz" (Persian new year) and Kara's 30th birthday approach she begins to cave to the pressures of the chorus and hear the voices of her less exotic but more practical parents, divorced but still present, who urge her to be aware of her own interests. Under Bobby's tutelage she creates a Craigslist persona and arranges to meet "Kyle" at the Four Seasons. (Does this really happen? I should be using CL for more than selling old couches...) A serial monogamist, Kara cannot stop herself from asking questions or suppress the urge to learn about this intriguing tall dark stranger.
The introduction of this character starts the opening of the shiny lacquered closet doors and we get to the heart of the characters. Kara begins to come to terms with her serial monogamist identity and realizes that she can no longer perpetuate the deception. She takes charge of her career and love life. We learn more about how Bobby evolved over the years and we begin to understand the texture of Ebadi family, where they come from and why they've built the facade they all support. In particular the mother Laila who we learn is not shallow but a survivor who, more than being a 'Shah of Sunset' character, merely uses an expensive aesthetic as her shield against suffering, hardship and loss.
I really enjoyed peaking into cultural traditions and learning the distinction between Persian and Iranian identity. The story illustrates the duality of the farsi language, which in my limited understanding, that by saying one thing actually intimates the opposite. (e.g. When someone says "Please, you should stay!" they really mean "It's time for you to be on your way.") I did crave an insight to the closed door conversation that led to the resolution between family members, but the description of the culture and background of the Ebadi's in the story makes it explicit why the forgiveness of past deceits would be made. In the end it's a story about the knots and kinks of growth in relationships something that transcends all cultures.
At first I felt this shallow cast was tiresome and longed for Bobby to be the narrator, for some meat behind how a bright and functional kid could so easily shed his family trappings in private but also feel compelled to appease them.
However as the "Nowruz" (Persian new year) and Kara's 30th birthday approach she begins to cave to the pressures of the chorus and hear the voices of her less exotic but more practical parents, divorced but still present, who urge her to be aware of her own interests. Under Bobby's tutelage she creates a Craigslist persona and arranges to meet "Kyle" at the Four Seasons. (Does this really happen? I should be using CL for more than selling old couches...) A serial monogamist, Kara cannot stop herself from asking questions or suppress the urge to learn about this intriguing tall dark stranger.
The introduction of this character starts the opening of the shiny lacquered closet doors and we get to the heart of the characters. Kara begins to come to terms with her serial monogamist identity and realizes that she can no longer perpetuate the deception. She takes charge of her career and love life. We learn more about how Bobby evolved over the years and we begin to understand the texture of Ebadi family, where they come from and why they've built the facade they all support. In particular the mother Laila who we learn is not shallow but a survivor who, more than being a 'Shah of Sunset' character, merely uses an expensive aesthetic as her shield against suffering, hardship and loss.
I really enjoyed peaking into cultural traditions and learning the distinction between Persian and Iranian identity. The story illustrates the duality of the farsi language, which in my limited understanding, that by saying one thing actually intimates the opposite. (e.g. When someone says "Please, you should stay!" they really mean "It's time for you to be on your way.") I did crave an insight to the closed door conversation that led to the resolution between family members, but the description of the culture and background of the Ebadi's in the story makes it explicit why the forgiveness of past deceits would be made. In the end it's a story about the knots and kinks of growth in relationships something that transcends all cultures.
August 6, 2014
Wealthy Persians, gay culture with sprinkles of dirty secrets.
Personally, this book felt like one big roller-coaster ride, I liked it , then I didn't like it, then I did etc.. I felt confused at the start of the book. I wasn't sure what was going on with Kara and her relationship with Bobby, the two main characters. I felt the author thought it was a good idea to reveal that later in the book. However, the character of Bobby himself was a surprise all by himself, why wait. Due to this disconnection, I had to mentally go back to the start of the book and try to plaster things together.
This book is a mix of wealthy Persians, gay culture with sprinkles of dirty secrets. Realistically, this is not a book I would normally purchase. To be honest, if it wasn't for this summer reading challenge, I would not have given a second thought to this book if I came across it on my own.
I know the book is fiction but Kara was not a realistic character for me. I just couldn't relate to her and her situation and her wanting to toss her own life away like she did. The book was funny at times and Bobby is a real flamer, even when the author tries to give him a low profile. Bobby seems to be a good friend to Kara, that is until you begin to think about their situation and wonder what a good friend consists of. Bobby's parents the Ebadi's were presented well in this book and I got a good feel of them and their culture from an American perspective. Overall the book does have moments were the author had clarity and the characters seem to be more perky, almost manic and then settle down just as quickly.
I decided to stick with the book after the first couple chapters and I felt it did keep my interest until the end. I can see this book being controversial and stepping on some peoples toes, so I will not recommend this book to just anyone. First off, this book is for adults only and stating that this book is x-rated is being unrealistic.
Personally, this book felt like one big roller-coaster ride, I liked it , then I didn't like it, then I did etc.. I felt confused at the start of the book. I wasn't sure what was going on with Kara and her relationship with Bobby, the two main characters. I felt the author thought it was a good idea to reveal that later in the book. However, the character of Bobby himself was a surprise all by himself, why wait. Due to this disconnection, I had to mentally go back to the start of the book and try to plaster things together.
This book is a mix of wealthy Persians, gay culture with sprinkles of dirty secrets. Realistically, this is not a book I would normally purchase. To be honest, if it wasn't for this summer reading challenge, I would not have given a second thought to this book if I came across it on my own.
I know the book is fiction but Kara was not a realistic character for me. I just couldn't relate to her and her situation and her wanting to toss her own life away like she did. The book was funny at times and Bobby is a real flamer, even when the author tries to give him a low profile. Bobby seems to be a good friend to Kara, that is until you begin to think about their situation and wonder what a good friend consists of. Bobby's parents the Ebadi's were presented well in this book and I got a good feel of them and their culture from an American perspective. Overall the book does have moments were the author had clarity and the characters seem to be more perky, almost manic and then settle down just as quickly.
I decided to stick with the book after the first couple chapters and I felt it did keep my interest until the end. I can see this book being controversial and stepping on some peoples toes, so I will not recommend this book to just anyone. First off, this book is for adults only and stating that this book is x-rated is being unrealistic.
June 18, 2014
Kara and Babak, called Bobby, have been living together for years. Now that Kara is turning thirty, Bobby's parents are upping the pressure for them to get married and have kids. The only problem is that Kara really is just Bobby's roommate; they let his traditional Persian parents think otherwise so that Bobby can stay in the closet. It helps that she loves his family's traditions.
I swung back and forth on whether I liked THE WALK-IN CLOSET. I laughed quite a bit, and enjoyed the peek into the lifestyle of Tehrangeles. One of the themes of the novel is that both Kara and Bobby need to grow up. Their immaturity can make parts of THE WALK-IN CLOSET a difficult read. For instance, when Kara confronts her ex-boyfriend and he gives her some lame philosophical line about her inability to have multiple relationships, she decides that he's right and she should just have some casual sex. Thus, she has Bobby set her up a profile on Craigslist. Craigslist.
(And let's not even get into the scene where Kara tells a man that only women can use "No means no." I probably would've stopped the book there if I wasn't reviewing it.)
These attempted hookups lead Kara to Kyle, a man she can see herself having a relationship with. Her continued relationship with Kyle and the pressure from Bobby's parents push her to finally confront what she wants and to stop being complacent about her life. It's a bit of well-needed character development, but the pressure definitely gets to Kara.
THE WALK-IN CLOSET is fairly fun if you accept the heightened reality and the arrested development of the characters. The final twist is fairly telegraphed, but it still added a strong plotline that the book needed. This was a good enough summer read, but I prefer something somewhat more mature.
I swung back and forth on whether I liked THE WALK-IN CLOSET. I laughed quite a bit, and enjoyed the peek into the lifestyle of Tehrangeles. One of the themes of the novel is that both Kara and Bobby need to grow up. Their immaturity can make parts of THE WALK-IN CLOSET a difficult read. For instance, when Kara confronts her ex-boyfriend and he gives her some lame philosophical line about her inability to have multiple relationships, she decides that he's right and she should just have some casual sex. Thus, she has Bobby set her up a profile on Craigslist. Craigslist.
(And let's not even get into the scene where Kara tells a man that only women can use "No means no." I probably would've stopped the book there if I wasn't reviewing it.)
These attempted hookups lead Kara to Kyle, a man she can see herself having a relationship with. Her continued relationship with Kyle and the pressure from Bobby's parents push her to finally confront what she wants and to stop being complacent about her life. It's a bit of well-needed character development, but the pressure definitely gets to Kara.
THE WALK-IN CLOSET is fairly fun if you accept the heightened reality and the arrested development of the characters. The final twist is fairly telegraphed, but it still added a strong plotline that the book needed. This was a good enough summer read, but I prefer something somewhat more mature.
July 20, 2025
i really liked this! i think it could be slow at times for some ppl's pace but the world building and characters are so gorgeous. plot was tea.
June 20, 2014
Kara has just turned thirty and she's living a fabulous life. She had a gorgeous apartment, designer clothes and a car, all courtesy of the Ebadi's. Leila and Hossein Ebadi are the parents of Kara's best friend, Bobby. Bobby is a one-hit wonder screenwriter and party boy, with a serious failure to launch problem. The Ebadi's have fallen in love with Kara and they fund her lifestyle in hopes that she will marry Bobby. They desperately want to see their son settle down, the only problem is Bobby is gay. Gay and very much in the closet when it comes to his family. The arrangement is mutually beneficially and they keep the guise of being in love to keep the financial benefits from his parents. There are two problems, first, the Ebadi's are not the type of parents to stay uninvolved and second, Kara has met a mysterious man whom intrigues her.
Abdi Nazemian's debut novel, The Walk-In Closet, isn't going to be for everyone. The novel, which centers around the lives of friends in their late 20's/early 30's, living in Los Angeles, is filled with frank and often crass dialogue. It's a bit like Sex and the City for a new generation. I found this often salacious story, to be a guilty pleasure read and I enjoyed every minute of it. That said, I would be very careful of which friends I recommend this novel to, just because of the language and subject matters discussed. It presses comfort levels.
Another layer that made the story compelling, was the peek into a different culture. The Ebadi's have made Kara an honorary member of their family and through this, she learns a lot about Persian culture and the thriving Persian immigrant community in Los Angeles. Growing up in Los Angeles, this is not a community in which I know very many people, so I found it fascinating. Overall, this is a very "Los Angeles" story, filled with many references to the city. I'm not sure how much will be lost on someone who is not familiar with the L.A. As a native, all of the references rang true and felt relevant.
If I were to try to describe these characters, they wouldn't come across as very likable people. They would probably seem shallow and vapid. However, I actually cared for all of them. These are people who are raised during a time of mass consumerism and delayed adulthood. They may have the fortune of being wealthy, but I don't think that makes them unique, it just gives them the ability to consume on a grand scale. These characters feel real, because they are echoed in people that I know. They act the way they do, because it is how they were raised and it's hard to overcome it, especially when the parents keep giving them money. Nazemian has written a very timely story.
The Walk-In Closet is highly entertaining, socially relevant and it even has a few good plot twists. I look forward to future novels by Nazemian, he is a strong new voice in the literary world.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
Abdi Nazemian's debut novel, The Walk-In Closet, isn't going to be for everyone. The novel, which centers around the lives of friends in their late 20's/early 30's, living in Los Angeles, is filled with frank and often crass dialogue. It's a bit like Sex and the City for a new generation. I found this often salacious story, to be a guilty pleasure read and I enjoyed every minute of it. That said, I would be very careful of which friends I recommend this novel to, just because of the language and subject matters discussed. It presses comfort levels.
Another layer that made the story compelling, was the peek into a different culture. The Ebadi's have made Kara an honorary member of their family and through this, she learns a lot about Persian culture and the thriving Persian immigrant community in Los Angeles. Growing up in Los Angeles, this is not a community in which I know very many people, so I found it fascinating. Overall, this is a very "Los Angeles" story, filled with many references to the city. I'm not sure how much will be lost on someone who is not familiar with the L.A. As a native, all of the references rang true and felt relevant.
If I were to try to describe these characters, they wouldn't come across as very likable people. They would probably seem shallow and vapid. However, I actually cared for all of them. These are people who are raised during a time of mass consumerism and delayed adulthood. They may have the fortune of being wealthy, but I don't think that makes them unique, it just gives them the ability to consume on a grand scale. These characters feel real, because they are echoed in people that I know. They act the way they do, because it is how they were raised and it's hard to overcome it, especially when the parents keep giving them money. Nazemian has written a very timely story.
The Walk-In Closet is highly entertaining, socially relevant and it even has a few good plot twists. I look forward to future novels by Nazemian, he is a strong new voice in the literary world.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
June 30, 2014
finished The Walk-In Closet when I was on vacation and now that I’m back, I still cannot stop thinking about this book. From first glance at the synopsis, I could never have imagined how much I would love this book. The Walk-In Closet is a beautifully written novel full of Persian culture and a wonderful set of characters. This book truly has it all: a very intriguing storyline, a beautiful setting, family and relationship drama, high-end fashion and LA nightlife, and even some comedy sprinkled throughout.
The story centers on Kara, a woman who just turned thirty and has been in a fake relationship with her gay best friend (and online sex addict) Bobby, whose family is one of the wealthiest in the Los Angeles Persian community (also known as Tehrangeles.) Kara has kept up this appearance in order to help Bobby who is afraid of coming out to his parents – plus, Kara has truly become part of the Ebadi family by attending dinners, family and cultural events, and even receiving lavish gifts from Bobby’s parents especially his mother Leila. All members of the Ebadi family are harboring secrets of their own and the author takes you through an emotional and drama-filled journey to unveiling the truth.
I loved reading about the different characters and the author let them all develop beautifully throughout the book. Everyone in this story struggles with their own issues and I loved reading how they eventually embrace their flaws instead of trying to hide them.
The Walk-In Closet is a wonderful new read that will move you and have you wanting more throughout the book – I couldn’t put this one down and I guarantee you won’t be able to either
The story centers on Kara, a woman who just turned thirty and has been in a fake relationship with her gay best friend (and online sex addict) Bobby, whose family is one of the wealthiest in the Los Angeles Persian community (also known as Tehrangeles.) Kara has kept up this appearance in order to help Bobby who is afraid of coming out to his parents – plus, Kara has truly become part of the Ebadi family by attending dinners, family and cultural events, and even receiving lavish gifts from Bobby’s parents especially his mother Leila. All members of the Ebadi family are harboring secrets of their own and the author takes you through an emotional and drama-filled journey to unveiling the truth.
I loved reading about the different characters and the author let them all develop beautifully throughout the book. Everyone in this story struggles with their own issues and I loved reading how they eventually embrace their flaws instead of trying to hide them.
The Walk-In Closet is a wonderful new read that will move you and have you wanting more throughout the book – I couldn’t put this one down and I guarantee you won’t be able to either
June 18, 2014
When I first started Kara's story, I wasn't too sure where it was going. Kara was trapped in a dead end fake relationship, a dead end cover of a job, and just at a general dead end in life.
She was searching for something new and fresh and didn't even realize it. I think we've all been there. Luckily, she had incredible fake in-laws and a best friend, that while sex-driven, really cared for her.
Eventually, through some shoddy decision making things come round about and she unravels a mystery she didn't even know existed. It's funny how things just coincidentally fall into your lap. -hums it's a small world after all-
I loved the culture through the book. I loved that while I at first couldn't find the plot, I stayed hooked because I just wanted to live my life with these characters. The writing was fantastic. I love the way it ended so tidily. This is definitely a fling you want to have this summer. Get it for your beach reading or summer night pleasure. Best book I've read in a while.
She was searching for something new and fresh and didn't even realize it. I think we've all been there. Luckily, she had incredible fake in-laws and a best friend, that while sex-driven, really cared for her.
Eventually, through some shoddy decision making things come round about and she unravels a mystery she didn't even know existed. It's funny how things just coincidentally fall into your lap. -hums it's a small world after all-
I loved the culture through the book. I loved that while I at first couldn't find the plot, I stayed hooked because I just wanted to live my life with these characters. The writing was fantastic. I love the way it ended so tidily. This is definitely a fling you want to have this summer. Get it for your beach reading or summer night pleasure. Best book I've read in a while.
August 12, 2014
Sharply written by an author with a definite eye for delicious detail, The Walk-In Closet was my beach read of the summer. I loved diving headfirst into this pool of Persian wealth, excess and designer clothing. While I agree with the reviewers that said they would have loved the book to have a section of Bobby's narration, I found that Kara's voice was honest in its simple humility, especially from the perspective of a shallow but beautiful girl who takes her everyday beauty for granted. Nazemian's voice is unique and cuts it own path in women's fiction, and possibly gay fiction, I imagine.
All said and done, this was the equivalent of a lavish cocktail that goes down with a strong bite.
All said and done, this was the equivalent of a lavish cocktail that goes down with a strong bite.
May 31, 2016
The beginning of the book was interesting - setting up the premise & meeting the characters. After that, I felt it really bogged down. The plot moved on & there was activity, but through it all where these characters. A completely non-sympathetic lot. They were all stuck in a carefully crafted patently false structure. But it didn't really matter. Noone was going to be cast out - not really. Noone was going to starve or be reviled. The central dilemma was less dilemma & more conflict avoidance.
Perhaps another reader would be intrigued by the double lives or the opulence shown. I just wanted them all to get real & move on.
Perhaps another reader would be intrigued by the double lives or the opulence shown. I just wanted them all to get real & move on.
May 21, 2016
While this story does not take place in the Middle East, you will get a sense of the culture as it is in America.
The main character, Kara, who is not of middle eastern descent gives her perspective on the L.A. and Hollywood singles scene. She also has some hilarious experiences of a 29 turning 30 year old.
I liked the interaction between all the characters and their issues with lies and truth.
Loved how this story unravelled and revealed itself from the "walk in closet".
Some steamy sex scenes and references.
The main character, Kara, who is not of middle eastern descent gives her perspective on the L.A. and Hollywood singles scene. She also has some hilarious experiences of a 29 turning 30 year old.
I liked the interaction between all the characters and their issues with lies and truth.
Loved how this story unravelled and revealed itself from the "walk in closet".
Some steamy sex scenes and references.
July 7, 2014
This book was a delight to read. It is a book about the secrets we keep and how in the end they tend to tear us apart. It has a little bit of everything. Romance, sex, laughs, and a bit of mystery. Also the great thing about this book is it is written about the Iranian culture in Los Angeles but is done so in an anthropological way so you feel like you become a part of it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels they may have secrets in their life.
June 17, 2014
Loved this book! Kept me entertained and laughing until the very end. I couldn't wait to read the last page to find out if the secrets the characters were keeping would finally revealed. I was not disappointed. My favorite books are ones that makes me wonder "What next?" This was definitely one of those books.
October 4, 2015
Simply outstanding. I couldn't put it down. Smart, relevant, engaging and fun! This is an author to watch. I cannot wait for his next book!
September 2, 2020
Don't you love it when you discover a new writer who excites you? Abdi Nazemian is one of those writers. I so enjoyed this novel. Set in the expat Persian/Iranian community in what the author calls "Tehrangeles," the novel is told from the point of view of an outsider, Kara, who has been accepted into the Persian community with open arms, but does not quite get all the nuances of events going on around her. She is a "beard" for the gay son of wealthy Persian parents, whose generosity is only outweighed by their duplicity. Everyone is telling and living lies, and the guts of this novel is Kara's attempts to find out what is really going on.
In retrospect, the big "secret" of the novel seems obvious, but I was completely surprised. Also, did I mention that Mr. Nazemian's wit makes the book fun to read? I highly recommend that you give this novel a shot. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
In retrospect, the big "secret" of the novel seems obvious, but I was completely surprised. Also, did I mention that Mr. Nazemian's wit makes the book fun to read? I highly recommend that you give this novel a shot. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
December 4, 2018
Engaging tone sets up a somewhat light-hearted approach to this important content--especially as it relates to the current impact Persian culture has on one's ability to be out with their sexuality. Also interesting choise of a narrator--since she is not the person whose sexuality drives the story, she allows for an outsider's perspective to process the content that both provides a close proximity to its importance without being weighed down by the understandable emotional implication Bobby's POV would have provided. The tone shifts once the weighty family issues surfaces 2/3 of the way in, and the build-up to the conclusion gets a little forced--would she really have this backbone all of a sudden, and what right does she really have to insert herself at this level in this family's drama? Still, a cool read, especially in its cultural setting and located in Los Angeles.
February 3, 2021
Vile. I had to close my eyes to read this book and tell my mom NOT to read it. I didn't like any of the characters and the way they treated each other. They were rich but didn't have jobs. Real jobs, that is. They lived in LA but everything was less than 20 minutes away. They were hip but went to his parents all the time. The sexual encounters were out of my comfort zone, yet one wished she could share with her mom -- yuck. Yet, I couldn't quit. And it did end up having a story at the end that tied it up in a pretty bow. And don't be fooled by the less than 300 page count. Over-sized paperback that I still had to hold at arm's length with my glasses on to read the fine print, single spaced.
April 10, 2021
So, this is why I don't give up on books. Honestly, for the first half of this book or so I hated it. But I also hate not finishing things, so I kept reading. And the second half was great! I really, really loved the second half and I loved the ending. But the first half is such a slog of intensely boring Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous type stuff that I don't know that I would actually recommend it.
December 11, 2018
I don’t usually read adult contemporary, but when there are Iranians in it, it becomes much more my thing.
Anyway, this book is great. Not just because it references my favorite Googoosh song and discusses what it means to be Iranian vs Persian, but also because it’s written in such a clever way and has so many insane things happen that you can’t help but keep reading.
Anyway, this book is great. Not just because it references my favorite Googoosh song and discusses what it means to be Iranian vs Persian, but also because it’s written in such a clever way and has so many insane things happen that you can’t help but keep reading.
September 25, 2019
Fun chick-lit with a more serious side. I enjoyed the story and the characters but there were a couple of rape-y jokes throughout that didn't really work for me.
August 21, 2020
i think i felt every emotion known to the human condition while reading this book.
August 2, 2019
Really beautiful book - such an important portrayal of the Iranian immigrant experience, the LGBTQ experience, and of love despite family complications. Very glad to have read this.
October 24, 2014
I’ve never read a novel about a Persian family before, and I can’t say it’s something I would ever aspire to read about, because it simply would never occur to me to read about a Persian family. So when I saw that The Walk-In Closet was one of the picks for the Summer Reading Challenge that Book Sparks are hosting, and I’m taking part in, I wasn’t entirely sure this novel would be up my alley. Of all the books in the challenge, it was the one I was most worried about reading, and enjoying, but I was actually pleasantly surprised, and I’m quite pleased with myself for trying so many new books during 2014 as it has introduced me to some wonderful new authors, and characters, and people I would never normally read about.
In terms of opulence, and the nosiness of neighbours, The Walk-In Closet reminded me a little bit of Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan! The Ebadi family are Richie-Rich-rich, with money being no issue, and Leila Ebadi regularly spring-cleaning her closet and giving all her old clothes to her son’s beard Kara. (Not that Leila knows Kara is a beard.) Money isn’t an issue for the Ebadi’s, but I admired that fact that their money was made by them – it wasn’t family money, it was made thanks to the hard work of Hassein, the head of the household, Leila’s husband. It’s also blatantly obvious from the off that in “Tehrangeles”, as Kara calls it, everyone knows everyone and everyone knows your secrets, so if you’re trying to keep secrets, it’s best to keep them far, far away from the people of Tehrangeles, because otherwise EVERYONE will end up knowing what’s going on in your life. Because of that, I could totally understand why Bobby was loathe to spend time with anyone other than his parents, because that kind of pressure, where any peep is heard by all, makes me feel claustrophobic and I wasn’t even the one being pressurised!
Obviously I wasn’t sure The Walk-In Closet would be my kind of read but it was very appealing and the narrative skips along very well, helped by the fact that Kara is our narrator; I very much enjoyed getting to know her and I loved how deep her friendship with Bobby was, and how welcoming the Ebadi’s were about her being a part of their family. I thought the cast of characters were bonkers, but adorable. I adored the Ebadi’s, they’re the type of family you’d love to have around you, even if they were blinded by Bobby’s (very obvious to anyone else) secret. I loved how open and honest they were, except when it came to their sons, ironically enough, and despite their flaws, which I suspect is part to do with their being Persian (not to cast aspersions on Persian people), I liked them and thought they were lovely. I liked Kara, too. She’s flawed, which I liked, and the only aspect of her I didn’t really like were the way she acted with her friends Fiona and Joanne. She was kinda awful to the two people she says is meant to be her best friends, and it made me cringe to see her putting them down.
The Walk-In Closet is a tad cruder than I normally read, which was surprising but only because it’s rarity I come across it when reading, which is entirely coincidental. I’m not averse to bad language, it was just a bit coarse at times, Kara and Bobby were obviously totally honest with each other about literally everything, and it was just surprising to see the way they talked to each other sometimes. The addition of Kyle was perhaps my favourite addition to the novel, I wished we had seen more of him than his hotel room, mind, because I rather liked his mysterious ways and he and Kara seemed to click immediately, easily riffing off each other, as Kara tried to learn more about him. It led to a very interesting reveal. The only disappointment with the book is I would have liked to have seen more of Kara’s job. She works for a lady whose name I have forgotten, but eventually stands up on her own two feet and decides to go it alone, and I’d have liked to have seen how that panned out, because why make her go it alone if we aren’t going to be shown how it pans out?! It just petered out, so they may as well have just left her working where she was before ya know? But otherwise it was a very entertaining read, and I loved learning more about Persian people, they certainly lead interesting lives, and I rather yearned to become one of the Ebadi’s myself…
In terms of opulence, and the nosiness of neighbours, The Walk-In Closet reminded me a little bit of Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan! The Ebadi family are Richie-Rich-rich, with money being no issue, and Leila Ebadi regularly spring-cleaning her closet and giving all her old clothes to her son’s beard Kara. (Not that Leila knows Kara is a beard.) Money isn’t an issue for the Ebadi’s, but I admired that fact that their money was made by them – it wasn’t family money, it was made thanks to the hard work of Hassein, the head of the household, Leila’s husband. It’s also blatantly obvious from the off that in “Tehrangeles”, as Kara calls it, everyone knows everyone and everyone knows your secrets, so if you’re trying to keep secrets, it’s best to keep them far, far away from the people of Tehrangeles, because otherwise EVERYONE will end up knowing what’s going on in your life. Because of that, I could totally understand why Bobby was loathe to spend time with anyone other than his parents, because that kind of pressure, where any peep is heard by all, makes me feel claustrophobic and I wasn’t even the one being pressurised!
Obviously I wasn’t sure The Walk-In Closet would be my kind of read but it was very appealing and the narrative skips along very well, helped by the fact that Kara is our narrator; I very much enjoyed getting to know her and I loved how deep her friendship with Bobby was, and how welcoming the Ebadi’s were about her being a part of their family. I thought the cast of characters were bonkers, but adorable. I adored the Ebadi’s, they’re the type of family you’d love to have around you, even if they were blinded by Bobby’s (very obvious to anyone else) secret. I loved how open and honest they were, except when it came to their sons, ironically enough, and despite their flaws, which I suspect is part to do with their being Persian (not to cast aspersions on Persian people), I liked them and thought they were lovely. I liked Kara, too. She’s flawed, which I liked, and the only aspect of her I didn’t really like were the way she acted with her friends Fiona and Joanne. She was kinda awful to the two people she says is meant to be her best friends, and it made me cringe to see her putting them down.
The Walk-In Closet is a tad cruder than I normally read, which was surprising but only because it’s rarity I come across it when reading, which is entirely coincidental. I’m not averse to bad language, it was just a bit coarse at times, Kara and Bobby were obviously totally honest with each other about literally everything, and it was just surprising to see the way they talked to each other sometimes. The addition of Kyle was perhaps my favourite addition to the novel, I wished we had seen more of him than his hotel room, mind, because I rather liked his mysterious ways and he and Kara seemed to click immediately, easily riffing off each other, as Kara tried to learn more about him. It led to a very interesting reveal. The only disappointment with the book is I would have liked to have seen more of Kara’s job. She works for a lady whose name I have forgotten, but eventually stands up on her own two feet and decides to go it alone, and I’d have liked to have seen how that panned out, because why make her go it alone if we aren’t going to be shown how it pans out?! It just petered out, so they may as well have just left her working where she was before ya know? But otherwise it was a very entertaining read, and I loved learning more about Persian people, they certainly lead interesting lives, and I rather yearned to become one of the Ebadi’s myself…
April 5, 2025
Every time you think you're starting the get the hang of what kind of book this is, it becomes something different. Is it a sex comedy? Is it a family drama? Will there be twists and turns? Yes, yes, and oh, yeah.
I had a little trouble getting through the first chapter, because all the characters seemed so superficial and brand-obsessed, but I'm glad I stuck with it because they grew on me. First, it was the relationship between the protagonist and her fake boyfriend's mother that compelled me, then the relationship between the protag and her fake boyfriend, then her relationship with her first online hookup after she decides to break her long celibacy streak. The only relationships that lacked depth were those of the protagonist with her own (female) friends and family.
It was an interesting choice to make the protagonist an honorary member of the family that the plot revolves around rather than an actual member, but it gives her the freedom in crucial moments to say things that actual members of the family can't or won't say. This was a complicated story well told, with lots of lines that made me laugh out loud. Would definitely recommend.
P.S. This book will make you want a chopped salad from LaScala's.
I had a little trouble getting through the first chapter, because all the characters seemed so superficial and brand-obsessed, but I'm glad I stuck with it because they grew on me. First, it was the relationship between the protagonist and her fake boyfriend's mother that compelled me, then the relationship between the protag and her fake boyfriend, then her relationship with her first online hookup after she decides to break her long celibacy streak. The only relationships that lacked depth were those of the protagonist with her own (female) friends and family.
It was an interesting choice to make the protagonist an honorary member of the family that the plot revolves around rather than an actual member, but it gives her the freedom in crucial moments to say things that actual members of the family can't or won't say. This was a complicated story well told, with lots of lines that made me laugh out loud. Would definitely recommend.
P.S. This book will make you want a chopped salad from LaScala's.
April 2, 2016
Abdi Nazemian's first novel promises an interesting concept, but unfortunately it fails to deliver a compelling narrative. Iranian-American Babak "Bobby" Ebadi lives a double life: while his high-society parents believe him to be in a respectable heterosexual relationship with his best friend, Kara Walker, he's actually a closeted gay man addicted to sexual encounters with men he meets online.
Set in Los Angeles, the novel is told from Kara's perspective, falling into the swath of chick-lit novels about a straight, single woman with a gay best fried. Welcomed straight into the lives of the rich and glamorous Ebadi family, Kara's life is full of designer labels, expensive shoes, and fancy parties. She longs to have a real boyfriend — one, who, unlike fake-boyfriend Bobby, will actually give her orgasms — but, naturally, can never find the perfect guy. So she takes a page from Bobby's book and begins meeting men online for sex.
Nazemian's novel offers neither nuance nor emotional depth, so if you're looking for an insightful multicultural read tackling LGBT issues in modern-day America, this is probably not the book for you. It's full of rape jokes, endless dick references, and lots of straight sex. None of the characters are fully developed, so it's hard to get too invested in their lives.
The Walk-In Closet fits the style and tone of the chick-lit genre. It's lighthearted, despite occasional moments of shocking melodrama, and the prose isn't terribly literary. Despite the front and back covers' promises of an impossible-to-put-down read, it wasn't until at least halfway through the novel that I felt compelled to continue, when the secret-filled family drama began to emerge. (Until then, I was stuck on an international flight, having already finished the other novel in my carry-on.)
It's not the kind of book I'd read again, but it may appeal to straight women looking for a light summer read about Tehrangeles.
Note: I received an advance readers' copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.
Set in Los Angeles, the novel is told from Kara's perspective, falling into the swath of chick-lit novels about a straight, single woman with a gay best fried. Welcomed straight into the lives of the rich and glamorous Ebadi family, Kara's life is full of designer labels, expensive shoes, and fancy parties. She longs to have a real boyfriend — one, who, unlike fake-boyfriend Bobby, will actually give her orgasms — but, naturally, can never find the perfect guy. So she takes a page from Bobby's book and begins meeting men online for sex.
Nazemian's novel offers neither nuance nor emotional depth, so if you're looking for an insightful multicultural read tackling LGBT issues in modern-day America, this is probably not the book for you. It's full of rape jokes, endless dick references, and lots of straight sex. None of the characters are fully developed, so it's hard to get too invested in their lives.
The Walk-In Closet fits the style and tone of the chick-lit genre. It's lighthearted, despite occasional moments of shocking melodrama, and the prose isn't terribly literary. Despite the front and back covers' promises of an impossible-to-put-down read, it wasn't until at least halfway through the novel that I felt compelled to continue, when the secret-filled family drama began to emerge. (Until then, I was stuck on an international flight, having already finished the other novel in my carry-on.)
It's not the kind of book I'd read again, but it may appeal to straight women looking for a light summer read about Tehrangeles.
Note: I received an advance readers' copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.
February 11, 2015
FANTASTIC!! I absolutely LOVED so many things about this book! First and foremost - it was an easy, enjoyable read that held my interest and made me smile. Although a meaty book is great from time to time, being an elementary school teacher and raising two young boys, strips my ability to focus and comprehend extensive story lines. Not having to reread passages or try to figure out confusing revolving plots and/or sudden character twists was right up my alley. Secondly, the characters were easy to relate to (at least for me, being gay and always having a best "girlfriend" assumed "lover") - and Abdi's descriptive talent made it easy to visualize them throughout the story. I loved learning all about a new culture, the often unrealistic expectations and the family dynamics that go along with tradition. Although I am Italian, I laughed at the parallels and reread those parts out of pure enjoyment! Lastly, Abdi's writing style is SUPERB. I felt as if I could walk right into the story and greet everyone (and understand them) as if I had known them for years. Well done Abdi Nazemian...This is definitely one I will highly recommend!
September 27, 2015
This book was an absolute delight to read. Written from a unique yet identifiable perspective, the book tells its story from the viewpoint of Kara, a young woman who is a prisoner of her own choices, until her decision to free herself frees everyone around her as well. The writer leads us into the glamorous world of Tehrangeles, where moneyed malaise is the norm, while weaving in poignant distinctions of the Iranian (or Persian, depending on your political viewpoint) culture. It is smart, funny, modern and emotionally complex. It was also a page turner with a plot twist. In short, it has everything. Bravo, Mr. Nazemian.
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