The Harmless Necessary Cat: A World War II Family Saga in Allied-Occupied Iran
by Sepehr HaddadPublish: Oct 21, 2024 Historical FictionLiterary Fiction
Book Overview
THE HARMLESS NECESSARY CAT: 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.
BIOGRAPHY Sepehr Haddad, born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Tehran, Iran, is an Iranian-American author. His latest historical fiction novel, published in October 2024, is "The Harmless Necessary Cat," a World War II Family Saga set in Allied-occupied Iran.
Sepehr's debut novel, "A Hundred Sweet Promises," won the 2023 American Fiction Awards for Historical Fiction and Historical Romance. It was also the #1 Amazon Bestseller in Middle Eastern literature and Historical Russian fiction and was featured on National Public Radio (NPR).
Sepehr is also a Universal Music Group (UMG) recording artist with the Billboard chart-topping duo "Shahin & Sepehr." He lives in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Other Awards:
FINALIST- 2022 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS - Historical Fiction & Literary Fiction
SHORTLIST- 2022 HAWTHORNE PRIZE - Historical Fiction
WINNER OF THE 2021 AMERICAN WRITING AWARDS - Historical Fiction