A contemporary whirlwind comedy drama starring the obscenely wealthy Milani family of Los Angeles, Tehrangeles by Porochista Khakpour (The Last Illusion, Sick) is the ultimate parody of a nouveau riche clan of Iranian Americans eager to downplay their immigrant roots.
Ali Milani lives with his wife, Homa, in an opulent mansion with their four daughters and a Persian cat named Pari. Aspiring model and eldest child Violet would prefer to be known by her Iranian name, "Banafsheh." Fiery second daughter, Instagram queen, and high-schooler Roxanna is the beating heart of Tehrangeles, her ambitious ideas for courting fame propelling much of the story's glittery action. Mina is serious and studious, and grappling with matters of sexuality that go beyond geopolitics. Whatever leisure time Haley, the youngest at 14 years old, has is channeled toward her obsession with fitness. Tehran-born writer Khakpour's characters struggle with questions of identity arising from the hostilities between their native country and their adopted home.
Set in early 2020, the story opens with the Milanis poised to star in their very own reality TV series. But when the global pandemic delays production, Roxanna pivots to planning an opulent party, ignoring concerns about hosting a super-spreader event. With speculation heightening on whether the family home will be graced by any of the A-list celebrities invited to the event, what transpires is a spectacular family meltdown that only the Milanis could pull off, with the author clearly enjoying every minute of the action.
A treat for fans of Crazy Rich Asians, Tehrangeles is pure literary entertainment poking good-natured fun at "the world's largest community of Iranians outside Iran." --Shahina Piyarali