Summary

Part IV: The American Dream opens as Idris and Mazna return to Damascus a few times after Mimi is born. Mazna thought the city would be different but finds it cramped. Idris’s family visits on both trips and Mazna is irritated by her children’s love of Sara who feels that Idris abandoned his family. Mazna pretends that California is the worst place she has ever been, but misses the greenhouse and the solitude.

When Mimi is three, Mazna calls an agent on a day she feels like a good mother. However, she gets upset when the children complain about her food and makes Ava put Mimi to bed as she watches movies. The agent works with her as a favor to Cal and Mazna attends auditions every once and awhile. The directors...