The Harmless Necessary Cat · A World War II Family Saga in Allied-Occupied Iran

THE HARMLESS NECESSARY A World War II Family Saga in Allied-Occupied Iran

Tehran, 1941. The world is ablaze, but in neutral Iran, life carries on—until British and Russian tanks roll in.

Though much has been written about World War II, little is known of Iran's trials during the conflict. Many remember the Japanese surprise assault on Pearl Harbor, epitomizing deceitful warfare, just as Operation Barbarossa, Hitler's treacherous invasion of the Soviet Union, played a parallel tune of unexpected aggression.

While these events captivated global attention, the Allies launched a sneak attack on Iran, seeking to secure crucial supply lines and curb the growing threat of German influence.

Overnight, the lives of ordinary Iranian families, like the Ahangars, are thrown into chaos. As their world crumbles, the Ahangars must make impossible choices to survive amid the dangerous tides of war.

In this coming-of-age story, young Sohrab Ahangar finds solace in an unlikely bond with his sister-in-law Krista and a growing friendship with Karl, two German expatriates whose community's presence in Iran adds to the rising tension. As Sohrab confronts the disintegration of his once-peaceful life, he uncovers a web of hidden loyalties.

Inspired by a true story, Sepehr Haddad's The Harmless Necessary Cat weaves a powerful narrative of love, loss, and resilience. This mesmerizing tale depicts innocent lives caught in history's crosshairs, offering a poignant testament to the enduring power of hope and perseverance in the face of war.

KIRKUS REVIEWS:

Haddad, who is Iranian, is a consummate writer, and many readers are likely to learn a lot about his country’s history from this novel, which is set in a time before it became a theocracy. Haddad also reverentially includes passages from classic Persian poets. The book, though fiction, is inspired by true events, and the use of photographs and photocopied documents gives it a strong sense of verisimilitude, which makes for a more effective story overall. Readers will consider his prose to be richly detailed and absorbing. The characters are memorable and subtly drawn, and several scenes, including accounts of brutal interrogations and thrilling car chases, are truly gripping. A satisfying adventure and, for some readers, a primer on timely history.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:

Haddad (author of A Hundred Sweet Promises) pens a moving story, inspired by true events, of Iran during the Second World War, illuminating a lesser-known slice of history in its occupation by British and Soviet forces. The book’s title—pulled from an editorial cartoon depicting two beasts toying with a weaker one—serves as a chilling metaphor for the manipulation and control plaguing Sohrab’s country. As that reality unfolds, and Sohrab grasps the loss of his innocence, Haddad captures his confusion with precision, reshaping Sohrab’s simple journey into a harrowing adventure of loss, love, and bravery.

READER VIEWS 5-STAR REVIEW:

A capable historian, Sepehr bases his story on real events and real people that arguably shaped the nation of Iran into what it is today. Not one of those predictable historical fiction tales, this coming-of-age story follows Sohrab Ahanger, a teenage boy from an affluent family whose life is rocked by uncertainty, pain, and turmoil when Allied forces invade his home country, delivering an indelible portrait of love, loss, and war. He captures the emotions, confusion, and ominous atmosphere that engulfed a country once vibrant and full of promise, going ahead to unfurl the hidden agendas and strategic calculations that were at play as the Allied nations coveted Iran’s oil riches. The book is well-written with the author effectively balancing historical details and a family saga. “The Harmless Necessary Cat” by Sepehr Haddad will have historical fiction fans clamoring for more of the author’s work. It teaches, informs, enlightens, and entertains, ultimately arguing for peace.