“In Kaveh’s debut novel, an Iranian girl’s happy life is upended by revolution and exile…the writing is poignantly introspective and Kaveh movingly chronicles (the main character’s) quest to find her place in the world and the self-destructiveness that ensues when she cannot. Kaveh provides a fascinating look into the personal repercussions of grand political history. Impressively enfolds a touching personal drama within a larger one of geopolitical significance.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“Ms. Kaveh’s extraordinary untamed writing style and brilliant searing humor shine through in her debut novel And Sometimes Why, a heart-breaking coming of age love story set against the backdrop of an apocalyptic 1979 Revolution in Iran. Suddenly forced to live within the confines of strict Islamic law, Kaveh's eccentric cast of characters take readers on a roller coaster ride of teenage emotion, as they struggle to mature in their brave new world where freedom is only a memory. Kaveh's masterful writing and penchant for creating shock and awe moments when least expected make this historical memoir hard to put down and a must-read for lovers of fiction.”
— Rudi Bakhtiar, Emmy-nominated host of CNN’s “Newsroom” and “Headline News Tonight;” Fox News correspondent; Reuters TV producer and executive producer of programing for “Voice of America”
“A beautiful story artfully told about coming of age amid revolution, war, immigration, resettlement and ultimately, love. A novel that elicits laughter and tears in the same chapter, and reads like a unique life story candidly told by a talented storyteller who reminds us that writing is an art. Kaveh playfully weaves an unmistakably personal story that engages the reader with the skills of a storyteller. Through moments of deep sensitivity or anxious mystery, she keeps the reader moving with curiosity and empathy that builds page by page. This book is a must read in a globalized world where stereotypes have no place and empathy is the key to our collective future.”
— Maryam Zar, writer, activist, policy adviser, former correspondent in Iran; Los Angeles commissioner on the Commission on the Status of Women; founder of Womenfound
“Kaveh’s masterful narrative of a young girl’s world razed by the Iranian Revolution culminates in a portrayal of émigré experience in Los Angeles that is heartbreaking and hilarious. Her landscapes are filmic. Her characters are so fully dimensional, it’s hard to believe they’re not out there. You don’t put this book down; it simply stays with you.”
— Michael Kaye, author of Mastering the Narrative
“Ms. Kaveh is a very talented writer with a distinct voice. She skillfully weaves a family’s personal struggles into a work of universal importance. She tackles multiple and difficult themes with such grace and raw honesty that the writing seems effortless. An impressive piece of work.”
— Shahrzad Ardalan, radio show host/producer
"The stories of Iranians immigrating to the U.S. are many and the experiences hardly monolithic. In And Sometimes Why, Kathy Kaveh reveals with heartbreaking honesty and humor the way one family’s decisions post-immigration result in addiction and dysfunction despite the best of intentions. A frank exploration of how no amount of privilege or planning can protect children from the unintended consequences of their parents’ actions, even when those choices are made out of an abundance of love."
— Marjan Kamali, author of The Stationery Shop and Together Tea
“Ms. Kaveh’s And Sometimes Why is beautiful, powerful and politically relevant. (Kaveh) does an extraordinary job of capturing a young girl’s physical and emotional journey growing up caught between two worlds. Her sense of humor makes the heart-wrenching parts (of the story) all the more powerful. While this is Ms. Kaveh’s first novel, she is no novice. She is an obviously talented writer with a solid debut.”
— Reza Goharzad, journalist and political analyst
“A fascinating story of a young girl’s life prior and after the Iranian Revolution. Ms. Kaveh’s poignant novel portrays the hardships, struggles and hypocrisy endured by the Iranian people, especially the youth.”
— Ketab Sara Co. (Global publishing house; Tehran,Iran headquarters)
— Kirkus Reviews
“Ms. Kaveh’s extraordinary untamed writing style and brilliant searing humor shine through in her debut novel And Sometimes Why, a heart-breaking coming of age love story set against the backdrop of an apocalyptic 1979 Revolution in Iran. Suddenly forced to live within the confines of strict Islamic law, Kaveh's eccentric cast of characters take readers on a roller coaster ride of teenage emotion, as they struggle to mature in their brave new world where freedom is only a memory. Kaveh's masterful writing and penchant for creating shock and awe moments when least expected make this historical memoir hard to put down and a must-read for lovers of fiction.”
— Rudi Bakhtiar, Emmy-nominated host of CNN’s “Newsroom” and “Headline News Tonight;” Fox News correspondent; Reuters TV producer and executive producer of programing for “Voice of America”
“A beautiful story artfully told about coming of age amid revolution, war, immigration, resettlement and ultimately, love. A novel that elicits laughter and tears in the same chapter, and reads like a unique life story candidly told by a talented storyteller who reminds us that writing is an art. Kaveh playfully weaves an unmistakably personal story that engages the reader with the skills of a storyteller. Through moments of deep sensitivity or anxious mystery, she keeps the reader moving with curiosity and empathy that builds page by page. This book is a must read in a globalized world where stereotypes have no place and empathy is the key to our collective future.”
— Maryam Zar, writer, activist, policy adviser, former correspondent in Iran; Los Angeles commissioner on the Commission on the Status of Women; founder of Womenfound
“Kaveh’s masterful narrative of a young girl’s world razed by the Iranian Revolution culminates in a portrayal of émigré experience in Los Angeles that is heartbreaking and hilarious. Her landscapes are filmic. Her characters are so fully dimensional, it’s hard to believe they’re not out there. You don’t put this book down; it simply stays with you.”
— Michael Kaye, author of Mastering the Narrative
“Ms. Kaveh is a very talented writer with a distinct voice. She skillfully weaves a family’s personal struggles into a work of universal importance. She tackles multiple and difficult themes with such grace and raw honesty that the writing seems effortless. An impressive piece of work.”
— Shahrzad Ardalan, radio show host/producer
"The stories of Iranians immigrating to the U.S. are many and the experiences hardly monolithic. In And Sometimes Why, Kathy Kaveh reveals with heartbreaking honesty and humor the way one family’s decisions post-immigration result in addiction and dysfunction despite the best of intentions. A frank exploration of how no amount of privilege or planning can protect children from the unintended consequences of their parents’ actions, even when those choices are made out of an abundance of love."
— Marjan Kamali, author of The Stationery Shop and Together Tea
“Ms. Kaveh’s And Sometimes Why is beautiful, powerful and politically relevant. (Kaveh) does an extraordinary job of capturing a young girl’s physical and emotional journey growing up caught between two worlds. Her sense of humor makes the heart-wrenching parts (of the story) all the more powerful. While this is Ms. Kaveh’s first novel, she is no novice. She is an obviously talented writer with a solid debut.”
— Reza Goharzad, journalist and political analyst
“A fascinating story of a young girl’s life prior and after the Iranian Revolution. Ms. Kaveh’s poignant novel portrays the hardships, struggles and hypocrisy endured by the Iranian people, especially the youth.”
— Ketab Sara Co. (Global publishing house; Tehran,Iran headquarters)
