This was an interesting read that I found my self enjoying more as I read it. I found myself wondering where it was all going many times at the beginning. This focuses on a youngish orphaned son of Iranian immigrants coming to terms with his history and seeking meaning in his (and others) life. I was initially worried that this was going to be a bit too philosophical for me but the story really picked up and I was totally into it by the end. Dare I say, I even found it uplifting. I do feel more editing would have made it a better, more focused novel--especially in the first 100 or so pages. But, that is a minor quibble. Overall, this is a book that I will recommend to anyone who likes literary fiction and does not mind slower, more thoughtful pacing in their fiction.