NEW RELEASE
The Walk-In Closet - Abdi Nazemian (2014)
Kara loves everything about the Ebadis - Bobby has been her best friend for years, and his glamorous parents Leila and Hossein have always welcomed her with open arms and showered her with gifts. In fact, most people presume she's Bobby's girlfriend and that married life is just around the corner for them. But Bobby is gay - and still in the closet because he doesn't want to disappoint his parents, who have already lost a son. The story gives an engaging insight into a different culture - the Ebadis are weathy Persians who settled in the US (in "Tehrangeles") after the Iranian Revolution. It also makes a timely social comment on why some people still have to hide their sexual orientation in this day and age. After Kara hooks up with a mystery man in a hotel, can she continue to live the lie? Despite a twist that was perhaps a bit too convenient and easy to guess (or maybe it was just me?) this book is well worth a read. But some might find it a bit crude at times.
The Walk-In Closet, the debut novel by Abdi Nazemian, provides a glimpse into the lives of Iranian-Americans living in LA. The summary: "Kara 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 want: 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?"