Veil of Walls

Panahi’s engaging debut looks at Persian traditions through a story of young love. In 1962, 10-year-old Iranian American girl Ana Sadeghi first visits Iran, the land of her father’s birth. In Tehran, she’s discomfited to be stared at by family members, who say Ana resembles her aunt Scheherazade, who left the country years before. After both of Ana’s parents die in a car accident, Ana’s relatives decide to keep her in Tehran. She remains with her surly aunt Azar as well as grandmother Madar and a cousin. The new world is difficult to understand, with customs such as arranged marriages and avoiding boys who aren’t family, but Ana holds out hope for independence and to be like Scheherazade, whom Madar disowned for leaving. While trying to find out what happened to Scheherazade, Ana makes some friends, including a neighbor named Reza. Ana revels in breaking Azar’s rules, and as Ana and Reza become teens, they fall in love, leading Ana to hope Reza will join her in leaving the country. Panah skillfully weaves the various threads together with a brisk style, drawing readers into the struggles of a smart girl determined to make her own decisions. This is worth a look. (Self-published)