The Harmless Necessary Cat
A World War II Family Saga in Allied-Occupied Iran
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The Harmless Necessary Cat
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Narrated by:
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Dustin Naylor
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By:
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Sepehr Haddad
About this listen
By the award-winning author of the bestselling novel, "A Hundred Sweet Promises" comes the "THE HARMLESS NECESSARY CAT: A World War II Family Saga in Allied-Occupied Iran"
- Winner of the 2024 E.M. Forster Gold Medal for Middle Eastern Historical Fiction.
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.
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.
For further information visit: SepehrHaddad.com or the publisher: AppleyardandSonsPublishing.com
©2024 Sepehr Haddad (P)2024 Sepehr HaddadCritic reviews
”Readers will find Haddad’s 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.”—KIRKUS REVIEWS
“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, …A thoughtful portrayal of Iran during its World War II occupation.”—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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What listeners say about The Harmless Necessary Cat
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mojdeh Nejad
- 02-12-25
How people’s lives change under different circumstances and how they adapt,!
I enjoyed it very much! It was beautifully written and the circumstances were explained perfectly
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