Inspired by his love for Jack London's writing, Mahbod Seraji decided to start writing himself. In his first novel, Rooftops of Tehran, he aimed to bring a piece of Persian culture and life closer to his readers. As the born Iranian felt that his country was portrayed only negatively in the modern media, especially American news, he wanted to write a story that was different to what people hear every day. It should be something about love and hope that shows the audience what they often disregard, the humans living in Iran.
He personally stated that he wanted the reader to loose themselves with the characters in the alleys at night in Tehran. He wanted his characters to become friends, so the reader understands the problems of the regime, understands the trouble these good people have to go through living in this world. Aimed mainly at the reader from the United States, as Seraji moved there from Iran, the novel has been translated into multiple languages and is lauded as one of the best first works.
