The Rug Merchant

by Meg Mullins

In New York, far from his native Iran, Ushman has worked hard to build a clientele for his wares: exquisite handwoven rugs from his home city of Tabriz. With perfect rectitude, he caters to his wealthy clients. But when he learns that his wife is leaving him for another man, Ushman's life, shaped by the traditions of a conservative culture, is shattered and his loneliness profound. Unexpectedly, he embarks on an improbable and powerful romance with Stella, a college student who is isolated in her own way. Together this American girl from the deep South and the cultured Iranian aesthete from a tender bond that awakens them both to the possibility of joy in a world full of tragedy.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Book Club, Iran, Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Novels

258 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Meg Mullins is from New Mexico and has had short stories published in various publications.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rug Merchant is a beautiful study of isolation and human need. Ushman has come to NYC to sells exquisite, handmade rugs from his own country,Iran. He has left behind a crippled mother and a barren wife. Ushman dreams of bringing his wife to America but she is not interested in leaving Iran. Selling to the Manhattan elite requires a bit of personal attention to his clients. A story of the rug,or its purpose as a prayer rug smooths a sale. In doing so, a bit of himself is caught, being almost too transparent to a good client. Somehow, in the midst of his aloneness,Ushman finds another drifting heart in a college girl. The relationship buds and brings confusion and joy and misunderstanding. The stories that make up a life and the things we believe or tell ourselves ultimately remain only partly known by others. a life is both shared and solitary, recognized and a stranger to oneself and others. we share in our aloneness.

[Sarah Ryburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A total and unexpected surprise found on the bargain book table at Borders. I know nothing of this author or anything else she has ever written, but this slim novel is absolutely lovely. Mullins writes entirely in present tense, a technique I've often suggested to my students to lighten and enliven their short stories. The effect is equally brilliant here-–the narrative is simple and clean while the characters bloom with intensity and richness. The effect reminds me almost of a decorator's touch in cleansing a room of too much color or fuss. Perhaps to prepare it for one of Ushman's priceless kilim rugs.

I’m enchanted, too, by the character himself. Ushman. We never hear his other name (or names). I find myself, like Mrs. Roberts, drawn by his other-ness, his homeland, his culture, and his craft. By the stark simplicity of his solitude against the chaos of modern western life. And the rugs which seem to function almost at the level of character. The intricacy of their designs, the knotting by which they come to life, and the ineluctable weaving of their stories together with Ushman’s life past, present, and future. Gorgeous.

[Pearl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow this story just never took off, the characters and their relationships never quite became real. There are only three major characters in the story: Ushman, the middle-aged Iranian rug merchant who has emigrated to New York; Stella, a young girl from the Deep South who is a freshman at Columbia University. Both strangers in a foreign land. And then there's Mrs. Roberts, a wealthy, elderly society lady whose love of Persian rugs and capacity to buy them has made the rug merchant successful. And there are the characters who haunt the major characters: Farak, Ushman's wife who has remained in Iran and for whom he longs; Ushman's demanding mother whom he hates; and Stella's mother who makes an unexpected attempt at suicide. Despite the rather weary recital, this is not a depressing book.

Yes, of course, these people are needy and lonely, but this leads them into relationships which are both tender and surprising and bound not to last. They are mostly self-aware, intelligent, vulnerable, and filled with longing. I could almost see the movie develop as I was reading. The author has put together all the makings of a very good, nuanced movie and a potentially very good novel. It's a shame that she never really pulls it off.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After I got over myself and stopped editing Mullins’ writing, I really enjoyed the quick read and beautiful story.

[Saleh MoonWalker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Onvan : The Rug Merchant - Nevisande : Meg Mullins - ISBN : 670034819 - ISBN13 : 9780670034819 - Dar 272 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2006

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Billed as a novel about an unlikely romance and an unlikely love affair it offers Ushman Khan as "one of the great characters of recent fiction". Yes, Ushman is an interesting character but he never came alive from the pages of print. Still less alive was the object of his desire, a young American college student names Stella. She is written one moment like an ancient sage and the next like a typical co-ed, one moment totally self-absorbed and the next hyper-sensitive and understanding. About the only believable part was her inconsistency.

Reading The Rug Merchant wasn't a waste of time. Is is sprinkled with some interesting observations on life. The problem is that it is almost too obvious that the story was constructed as a frame to show them off.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

At least it was short.

[Jenee Rager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book while searching Amazon for cheap books to send to the jail. The premise sounded interesting so I thought I would read it first before donating it to their library. I am so glad I did. The story is sparse but poetic. It is one of the few books that I have ever come across that acurately describes the feeling of being utterly alone, yet surrounded by people. While not an immigrant myself I imagine that the author did a great job with explaining the joys and heartache of being new to this country as well. Definitely a great read.

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a beautiful story! I found myself constantly wondering what was going to happen next, and did not find it too predictable. A great short read !

[Levent Kahveci · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending was trash

[Alan Scweik · Rating 5 out of 5]

oooooh dimana terang... yang kau janjikan? aku kesepian~~

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This small/short book, took me a long time to read - I was interested enough to continue reading but easily distracted by other, more engaging reads. When I finished reading,I felt sad at the lies and deception between husband and wife, lovers, rug merchant and customer. I took away a better understanding about how it might feel to be alien in a new country, seeing its residents act with a freedom and set of assumptions that are totally contrary to generations of norms in the old world. Wanting to fit in, not sure how; liking the freedom, but feeling a betrayer of the old culture. The main character, Ushman, showed these internal struggles in his relationships with Stella and Mrs. Roberts.

While I didn't feel an affinity with any of the characters as I was reading the book, and didn't really like them, I was drawn to continue reading because I wanted to see how the internal struggles mentioned above played out. It's a good discussion book

A side note: Meg Mullins was a featured speaker at a Reader's Retreat I attended October '07. She was an engaging and sincere speaker, connecting and interacting well with her audience. I'd recommend hearing her if she visits a location nearby.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story. Most stories that I read involving Iranian life are mostly in the POV of females, and it was a unique change to read something from a male's POV, particularly one that isn't suppressing and what stereotypically you'd think of an Iranian male that'd want to control his wife, etc.

My first impression was that Usman is creepy. I don't think this because of the age difference between he and Stella; if the age difference works it works. I thought it was creepy that he went to the airport and people watched. Homeland Security didn't wonder why this guy kept showing up, especially after buying an international plane ticket that he didn't even use?

This is a very depressing story. You hope that it will shape up for lonely Usman. I was actually rooting for he and Stella, despite their unlikely pairing. The story just gets sadder and sadder, with virtually no uphill light for Usman. I guess that's a more realistic ending, and there is some inner peace on his end when realizing he has no ill feelings toward either woman that's left his life.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in the ending of this book - the tale is rich in character, and I really enjoyed the descriptions of the rugs, being the textile head I am, and there was no way not to appreciate Usman, in his awkward life, but the end was just so . . . tidy. I can't even really suggest another path that might have been more satisfying to me. Perhaps that is the difficulty in a character driven story - life goes on, even after the final sentence. That truth makes it hard to have a satisfying conclusion - Usman, Stella, Mrs. Roberts - no matter where the author left them, you know they have to get up in the morning, shower and eat and go about the day.

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hrm. I'm torn about this book. I really liked Megan's voice as an author and I found the story emotional and engaging.. it just didn't turn out how I wanted. Ever see a movie and you were like, "What?! No! The princess can't die!" Well that's how I felt having read this book. It was a good read - even great at times, but it sure left a bad taste in my mouth. Heather loved it, so ymmv.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

What would a woman named Meg Mullins know about the experiences and innermost thoughts of a middle-aged male Iranian immigrant? Nothing, it turns out. This book is trite and written by someone who hasn't lived long enough to spout the truisms that fill the pages. Embarrassing.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first heard the book reviewed on NPR. When I came across it at Big Apple Books in Ft. Lauderdale, I picked it up.
I found the story line was well written. And appreciated the references to NY. I would be interested in reading other books from this author.

[Darlene Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a non-sterotypical portrayal with intelligent cultural insights, but I was disappointed with the ending. I was left with a feeling that I wanted more.

[LiLa]

Saya tertarik ngambil buku ini karena cover dan sinopsis di belakangnya. Saya kira isinya akan mengisahkan perjuangan Ushman bangkit dari keterpurukan karena ditinggal istrinya dan berusaha membuka hati untuk cinta kedua.
Ternyata saat baca, saya lebih sering diselimuti emosi. Saya tergoda buat masuk ke dalam cerita ini dan menggetok kepala beberapa tokohnya dengan batu besar. Awalnya saya berpikir, relasi mertua-menantu di buku ini mungkin terasa tidak asing di kehidupan nyata mari kita lanjut. Tapi lama-lama saya lelah; dengan relasi mertua-menantu yang kurang sehat, dengan Ushman yang nyebelin, dengan hampir semua karakter di buku ini.
Belum sampai setengah cerita saya sudah hampir menyerah. Saya lalu melompat ke bab terakhir dan rasanya saya mau melempar buku ini, hahaha. Isinya kurang sesuai dengan saya. Jadi saya putuskan untuk meletakan buku ini di pojokan dan biarin buku ini berdebu. Bertahun-tahun kemudian, buku ini saya samber bersama beberapa buku lain dan saya tinggalkan di rak yang tersedia di salah satu halte transjakarta. Semoga dia menemukan "keluarga baru" yang bisa menyayangi dan cocok.
Sayonara, buku~

[Emily Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a charming love story set in New York City. You're inside the head of an Iranian immigrant who has come to the US to sell rugs selected and shipped by his wife is back home in Tabriz. Ushman's confusion seemed familiar to me as someone who moved away from my home town--though not to a different country. He had dreams that were shaped by his past experiences. But, in a new world, he has to decide what to cherish and what to let go. Most of all, he has to learn to embrace his new world and his new identity so that he can build new dreams.
The love story is tender and touching. His interactions with his demanding client are charmingly awkward and reinforce the sense of never knowing quite how you are perceived or quite where your place is which must be a frequent experience for anyone who has left their home culture for a new one.
The prose is subtle, and it is a quick read. But the feeling of being in Ushman's head will stay with you.

[Andréa Fehsenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small, quiet book. No complicated or high stakes plot.

Ushman is a rug dealer from Iran living in New York City. He pines for his wife, Farak, who remains in Iran looking after Ushman's crippled mother. While Farak is supportive of Ushman doing well in the US, she refuses to join him. When he learns Farak is leaving him for another man, he finds unexpected solace from his loneliness in the form of college student Stella.

A brittle West-Side doyenne, Mrs. Roberts, one of Ushman's main clients, weaves in and out of the narrative. She too is lonely, and when her ill husband dies unexpectedly during one of Ushman's rug deliveries, their tight rope relationship shifts.

A wonderful story about yearning and regret and the immigrant experience, I was captivated from beginning to end. I loved the details about life in Iran and the history of rug making.

[Saros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sebenarnya kasih sayang Ushman kepada istrinya Farakh sangat tulus dan suci. Bahkan setelah perlakuan Farakh terhadap Ushman yang mengecewakan dan membuat Ushman putus asa, Ushman tetap tidak memilih untuk membenci Farakh. Itu poin plus dari kisah ini.
Takdir yang mempertemukan Ushman dengan Stella juga terbilang unik. Ada konflik di akhir yang sebenarnya mudah untuk diselesaikan. Hanya saja ending novel ini mengecewakan. Penyelesaian konfliknya tidak ada dan kurang bijak. Memaksa pembaca membayangkan endingnya masing-masing.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book more stars but the ending is what made me give it less.

The story between Ushman and Stella is so pure and real and the ending for them is so childish and sudden and an awful ending to the book / their relationship. The ending does make sense considering Stella is a 19 y/o college student who would make assumptions like the ones she made. When I was that age I definitely would have made similar assumptions. I was just rooting for them and hoping for a happy ending to their pure relationship

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a novel about dysfunctional people. The title character is a 30-something Iranian immigrant who becomes involved with a college student. At first the relationship seems to be a surrogate father daughter type, but it does not stay that way. This unlikely pair becomes sexually involved and temporarily obsessed with each other. The end result was pretty depressing as was the bulk of this story.

[Mark Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear 5 stars, with writing that paces along with the situations and characters. I saw with new eyes as American meets Iranian. This book moves among intimate moments and thoughts that are very moving. NYC. Persian rug dealer. Wealthy. But behind the stereotypes real life lived. Relationships drive our perception of life in ways we can never imagine. This book beautifully illustrates it.

[Matt Schuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book, and it's not because I'm sympathetic or sensitive to others.
I disagree with those who found it limited, sparse, or only poetic. The Rug Merchant has substance beyond measure, and it's a true tale about the fragility and strength which simultaneously unite people, yet keep them apart (only to understand, feel genuine emotions, and then find happiness again).
I'd give The Rug Merchant more than five stars, YO.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a bit of a hard time getting into this story, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. The idea of two people who were very much outside of their comfort zones finding each other and being each others comfort was joyful and heartening. There is much more to this story than that, but I'll not spoil it, other than to say this is a complicated and yet simple book that is worth the read.

[Kathleen Suess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, though disappointed by the ending. There were many fine moments of observation, insight and visual triggers.

I was confused by one scene in the book ( no spoilers) that takes place in an Italian restaurant. I wonder if others might notice something that I perceived as 'missing'. Still, it is a good book.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed following Ushman's inner dialog and interactions as he relates to family members, his customers, the people and customs in NYC and a young college coed with a range of insight and emotions. Several of his decisions and actions seem implausible, perhaps a hasty way to close out the book. This limited my rating to 3 stars.

[Celeste Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was just the perfect book. Don't want to write any spoiler comments.

"And in this way, they enter the dark night, crossing over the bridge with neither of them bothering to initiate a conversation. Like so many couples, they have carelessly shrugged their relationship from its bright newness into the territory of neglect."