Zapach szafranu

by Marjan Kamali, Xenia Wiśniewska (Translator)

Wyjątkowe połączenie Pamiętnika Nicholasa Sparksa i nastrojowych powieści Khaleda Hosseiniego.

Roya, rozmarzona, idealistyczna nastolatka, żyjąca pośród politycznych przewrotów 1953 roku w Teheranie, znajduje literacką oazę w sklepie papierniczym pana Fakhriego, gdzie zaopatrzyć się można w książki, długopisy i butelki atramentu w kolorze klejnotów. Właściciel przedstawia ją swojemu ulubionemu klientowi – przystojnemu Bahmanowi, młodzieńcowi o wielkim poczuciu sprawiedliwości i ze słabością do poezji Rumiego. Młodzi natychmiast tracą dla siebie serca - romans kwitnie, a mały sklepik papierniczy pozostaje ich ulubionym miejscem w pełnym niebezpieczeństw Teheranie.

Roya i Bahman zaczynają planować ślub. Ich kilkumiesięczną idyllę przerywa jednak zamach stanu - kochankowie tracą ze sobą kontakt, a wszelkie próby odnalezienia siebie nawzajem okazują się bezowocne. Zrozpaczona Roya przenosi się do Kalifornii, a następnie do Nowej Anglii, gdzie wychodzi za mąż za innego mężczyznę.

Mija sześćdziesiąt lat... Przypadek sprawia, że dawni narzeczeni spotykają się raz jeszcze. Nastaje moment, gdy pora odpowiedzieć na pytania, które dręczyły ich oboje od ponad pół wieku: Gdzie zniknąłeś? Dlaczego się nie odzywałeś? Jak to się stało, że mogłaś o mnie zapomnieć?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Book Club, Historical, Audiobook, Iran

368 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2019

About the author

Marjan Kamali is the New York Times bestselling author of The Lion Women of Tehran (Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster), The Stationery Shop (Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster), and Together Tea (EccoBooks/HarperCollins). Kamali’s novels are published in translation in more than 30 languages. he is a 2022 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship. Marjan's essays have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Literary Hub, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. Kamali holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from University of California, Berkeley, an MBA from Columbia University, and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from New York University. Born in Turkey to Iranian parents, Kamali spent her childhood in Turkey, Iran, Germany, Kenya, and the U.S. She now lives in the Boston area with her family.

The Lion Women of Tehran:
New York Times best-seller
Instant national best-seller
International best-seller
USA Today best-seller
One of NPR's best books of the year
A Book of the Month Main Selection
Goodreads Choice Nominee for Historical Fiction
An Indie Next Selection
Amazon's Editor's Pick Best Literature & Fiction
Editor's Top Pick from Real Simple magazine
Apple Books Must-Listen pick
Apple Best Book of the Month Pick


The Stationery Shop:
National and international best-seller
Prix Attitude Award in France
Boston Globe best-seller
Publishers Weekly best-seller
Indie Next Pick
Amazon's Editor's Pick Best Literature & Fiction
Amazon Best Book of the Month
Editor's Top Pick from Real Simple magazine Newsweek's 30 Best Summer Books
Solstice Literary Magazine Pushcart Nomination


Together Tea:
Massachusetts Book Award Finalist
NPR WBUR Good Read
Target Emerging Author Selection
Adapted for the stage and performed in California.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look at love,
How it tangles
With the one who falls for it.
Look at spirit,
How it fuses with the earth,
Giving it new life.

Five lyrical, heart-wrenching, soul-shaking, perception-changing, revolutionary, magical, eternal love stars!

The list of things you’ll urgently need after finishing this book:

• Rolls of tissues! Toilet paper, napkins, paper towels—anything to help wipe away the ugly-cry evidence!
• Fresh air! You’ll need it as you howl at the moon, releasing all your bottled-up emotions, anger, and frustration.
• Punching bag and gloves! Some characters will infuriate you beyond belief (I’m looking at you, She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named), so use the bag instead of smashing up your house!
• A good comedy show or movie to binge! Because trust me, you’ll need to remind yourself that there are still funny things in life!
• Pasta and chocolate! To lift your mood out of the blues!
• Stay away from Xanax or heavy alcohol! It might seem tempting, but stick to smoothies, ice cream, or lighter drinks to avoid deepening your post-read depression.
• Good makeup products! To hide those puffy, red eyes from all the crying.

This story begins in Tehran, in a stationery shop owned by Mr. Fakhri, a man who quietly supports the political awakening of young people seeking reform while offering a safe haven for book lovers hungry for intellectual growth.

At just 17, young Roya, a bookworm, finds herself drawn to this shop—both for the books and for self-discovery. There, she meets Bahman Aslan (his name means “lion,” fitting his brave, passionate nature). From the moment they meet, they know their lives will never be the same.

They fall in love at 17 and get engaged, despite Bahman’s mother’s disapproval (she struggles with mental illness). They plan to marry in the summer, even as the political unrest looms like a sword of Damocles over their heads.

But then Bahman and his family suddenly vanish. Roya can only communicate with him through letters hidden in books, with Mr. Fakhri’s help.

At last, they plan to marry and arrange to meet in the town square to head to the mayor’s office with their paperwork. Roya waits for Bahman but instead witnesses Mr. Fakhri’s tragic death during a political upheaval. Then, she receives a letter from Bahman saying he wants to break up.

Heartbroken, Roya decides to move to the U.S. for college with her sister, hoping to mend her shattered heart.

This is a 60-year-old story of two lovers who went their separate ways, struggling to pick up the pieces of their broken hearts. After decades apart, they reunite for closure. But you know, lovers don’t finally meet somewhere; they’re in each other all along—just like Bahman and Roya.

I cried so much! I hurt so much! I cursed so much! This is a poignant, emotional, life-changing story—filled with passion, ideals, dreams, sisterhood, trauma, betrayal, abortion, loss, devotion, trust, friendship, and psychological struggles.

I still feel a lump in my throat! Especially the final pages—they’re so hard to get through! But it’s all worth it. This is an incredible journey of faith, love, and beautiful Rumi poems.

I enjoyed every second of it. I’m so lucky to have received this amazing ARC from the publisher, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. I can safely say I loved this book, and once again, thanks to NetGalley for introducing me to this gifted writer!

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[Jananie (thisstoryaintover) · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022 re-read

this is a book from which I can never recover 😭 just as enchanting as the first time

*********

someone hold me, that was beautiful

[jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is such an bittersweet book. its the kind of story that is so lovely, yet so sad, so you are left overwhelmed with all of the different emotions you are feeling at the end.

the wonderful parts are such a joy to read. but the depressing parts are so sorrowful that i was constantly asking myself, ‘why am i reading this?’ i was sad at the end and im not sure i like how things turned out - im a fan of a happy ending - but this story is real. life does not always give a happy endings, as one moment can change a life forever.

so i would recommend this to readers who dont mind a more melancholy love story. but honestly, the really touching moments are worth dealing with the unhappy ones.

↠ 4.5 stars

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice enough tale about a lost romance but I was not able to see why so many people have raved about it. Maybe because I am not romantic enough to seriously believe two people could carry a torch for each other for fifty years. A few nostalgic thoughts maybe but not enduring love. And I felt sorry for Walter having to put on a brave face while his much loved wife indulged in a teenager fantasy.

Not knocking the whole book though. There were lovely parts about food and really interesting bits about history. There was just too much about romance for my taste! That's just me though ( obviously, since the ratings are through the roof!)

[luce (cry bebè's back from hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

| | blog | tumblr | ko-fi | |

Maybe I shouldn't have read this alongside a book by Elif Shafak...a writer who brilliantly evoke multiple cultures and cities populating them with vastly differentiating, and realistic, people. Although in The Stationery Shop there are glimpses of a talented writer, the writing was incredibly repetitive with an abundance of clichéd phrases and observations. The few scenes which managed not to make me roll my eyes were the ones which revolved around cooking.

Perhaps I was hoping for a story with a greater focus on the political conflict in 1950s Tehran but The Stationery Shop is first and foremost a love story. This love story features many clichés and banalities which seem more fitting of a soap opera.
Many of the 'key' plot points were predictable and demanded a huge suspense of disbelief, such as the two lovers not realising that their final letters had been written by someone else, this pages after the narrative has informed us that Roya could always recognise Bahman's writing. Really?! Consistency, where are you?.
The story follows as Roya spends most of her life pining away for Bahman, and that's about it. The revolutions, wars, and marriages that occur are merely a prop to this lacklustre love story which was filled by saccharine declarations and obstacles that were frankly laughable.
And I am sick of reading of 'evil' mother-in-laws. That the story then tries to use mental illness as the instigator for this character's evil actions was little more than a cheap trick.
Kamali should have trusted her readers more rather than reiterating the same things time and again. A lot of pages repeat the same information using exactly the same words, and I was frustrated by this constant 'spoon-feeding'. We get it! There are paragraphs and paragraphs that are just useless or poorly phrased and add little to the narrative.
The story makes completely avoidable, and unnecessary, things happen to its characters as a way of making readers 'feel bad' or sympathize with them..which didn't really work for me. Roya was a boring character whose main characteristic is that she loves Bahman. Bahman is a poorly rendered character whose spotty characterization makes for a really unbelievable love interest. The characters rotating around Roya alternate between being bland and cartoonish.
Overall, this books was frustrating. Not only is everything that happens in this story is predictable but the way in which the narrative reveals major plot points is incredibly grating. I probably won't be trying other novels by Kamali anytime soon...

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Sad but lovely. This is the kind of book you will enjoy reading indoors with a glass of wine or a mug of tea. Because tissues are involved.


This book left me sobbing as it ended. There's too many times where you would want to hug each of these characters and tell them everything was going to be okay when it actually wasn't.
The book is written so beautifully and amazingly. I just couldn't put the book down. The book is unpredictable yet it unfolds many tiny secrets from time to time.
It's a story about loss and grieving; regrets and guilt; political unrest and suffering; acceptance and forgiveness.
The story is based in Iran and America; goes back and forth in the story sequence when the main characters were seventeen and when they're in their seventies.
The first part reminded me of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility in which it portrays the relationship of two sisters and parents who are worried about their future.
The second part reminded me a bit of Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook but it turned out to be more than that.
Misunderstanding, miscommunication and a mental health issue of an important character played a major role leading to heartbreaking events.
I have some issues regarding the mental health description/depression of the character as it's not just depression that she was suffering from. There's also this issue of paedophile which was not made much of a problem in the story.
However, I find this book so damn satisfying to read. It feels complete and soothing for something this sad and heartbreaking. There has been so many deaths of which I find the dead of kids to be most disturbing and sad.
My favourite character is Walter, the husband of one of our main characters, Roya. I wish I come across a person like this in my life.
The ending was everything. It explained everything about the book.

I love the book more because it talked more about the love of books and poetry especially Rumi; food and cooking; old age health issues as well as for showing a complete sense of difference between young everlasting love and the love we end up having.

The characters are so alive and right there in front of you. One of the best character driven stories I have ever read.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

LONG ....BUT NO MAJOR SPOILERS....

There is much to like about “The Stationary Shop”, where we are taken back to the year, 1953 when Mossadegh was the Prime Minister in Iran, during political devastating-havoc.
Many people in Iran loved Mossadegh. They believed he was their democratic leader who had the courage to stand up to foreign powers wanting their oil. Mossadegh was ‘hope’ for the many people in Iran who believed in him. They felt he was the right man to achieve democracy.

The anti-Mossadegh folks were angry - they thought Mossadegh was a communist and many not only wanted to replace him - plotting against him for General Zahedi as post-coo Prime Minister replacement - they wanted Mossadegh dead.
Demonstrations got ugly and frightening. Protesters were shouting “Marg Bar Tudeh”....death to Mossadegh. History had never been more frightening- dangerous and ugly. The protesters managed to enter Mossadegh’s house... but he managed to escape through a window to a neighbors.
The coup d’Etat conspirators looted the prime misters house - burned some of the contents -completely destroying his house. The coop had succeeded. The world would be changed the world forever.

The political history written by Marjan Kamali, is clear, accurate, uncomplicated, straightforward, and easily accessible.....making this a great book choice for anyone who is unfamiliar with the political history & culture of Iran. This novel would make a a great pick for American High School and college students.
The history was written simple to understand - yet frustrating for many in Iran to understand why American government had a hand in the coup.

I spent several months in Tehran in 1974....I cherish my memories ....with some crazy stories and great times!

Back to this story.....
During the summer of 1953, a couple fell in love. Roya and Bahman were 17 years old. Both bright educated students. They were engaged to be married.
But for reasons - (much for the reader to ponder), they never married each other.
Bahman literally vanished from Roya’s life on the very same day that they had planned to meet at Sephah Square at Cafe Ghandi.....the same cafe where Roya first tasted coffee during the New Year holiday: ‘Nowruz’.
Bahman ordered them both a steaming Italian espresso with cream.
Passing on Roya’s normal drink - tea - to try coffee - wasn’t the only change for Roya during the most memorable summer of her life. Everything was changing fast and faster since falling in love with Bahman. Her thinking opened politically in ways they never had until she fell in love with an activist.
She planned to secretly marry Bahman at the office of Marriage and Divorce...a few weeks before their real wedding. But on August 19th, 1953....when demonstrations - and violence in the streets were at an all time high....during the overthrow of Mossadegh....the day hundreds were killed...
Roya was alone waiting for her fiancé. August 19, 1953, they were going to marry - meeting at their favorite cafe, but Bahman never showed up.

Roya and Bahman first met in a Stationary/ Book store Shop, run by Mr. Fakhri.
Mr. Fakhri used to refer to Bahman as “the boy who would change the world”. Symbolically....the title of this book will be clear in many more ways than one, once the reader is finished reading it all.

Four and a half years after the coop...four and a half years since Roya and Bahman were to marry....
Bahman was working at a petroleum company....married to another women....with a baby on the way. I found it shocking and sad to learn about Bahman’s job.

The suspense of why - how come - and what happened- that broke up Roya and Bahman, will keep you guessing to the end.

Time kept moving on....
Roya and her sister Zari came to California- both having received an international scholarship at Mills College in Oakland....( a small private college not far from UC Berkeley)....
Our own daughter went Mills College.......and UC Berkeley.

I kept thinking about how political demonstrations changes people ....
I thought about the protesters against the Vietnam war when I was attending UC Berkeley.

Time keeps moving on.....
Bahman - and Roya - both senior Citizens - looked back on their summer - of love - during political chaos. ...August 19, 1953 is a day neither had forgotten -

Time ‘still’ keeps moving on....
Sixy years later....
Bahman wondered what his generation learned. He had worked hard to do all the right things to bring about political change… Democracy…
but in one day, in one afternoon, foreign powers and corrupt Iranians destroyed all his dreams. What had he learned? What regret did he have?

Getting older....
Roya married Walter. Her sister Zari married Jack. Both sisters married Americans...had children .....jobs ....( we get lots of juicy stories about living in America as an Iranian).....
From the SF Bay Area ...to New England....it seemed no matter how many years went by - births...events... happiness and tragedies... when Roya was alone in her thoughts....Bahman was who she reflected on.

I felt incredibly sad for people who worked hard for good changes in the world, but then saw themselves as failures, or worse....dead.
I felt even sadder ....when I learned the why’s and ‘what happened?”
It’s amazing to think about how one WORD can be ‘life-changing’.

Iran was a complex nation in 1953 - still is. History repeats itself...
Politically charged....
In 1979 Iran had its Islamic Revolution- no longer ruled by the Shah - but religious clerics.

This was also a wonderful story exposing the many complex relationships - the challenges facing cultural traditions vs. progressive changes - love and loss.
Young-adult-coming of age - falling in love and all the influential complexities including parents - in-laws - siblings - friends - aging (memories, ailments, regrets, sorrows, perspective)
Besides Iranian political history being brought to life, which historical fiction readers will appreciate...fans of romance novels might enjoy this book as well. Universal themes include family, and friends.....with ‘love’ being at the heart of everything that really matters.

If you enjoy Persian food.... there are many wonderful dishes being served. Yum!

Besides being a very engaging enjoyable book.....this story is timely - given the political relations between the United States and Iran today.

Kudos to author Marjan Kamali! Terrific heartfelt storytelling - written with intimacy and compassion.....
This book - a lovely tribute - offers an understanding of life for Iranians and Iranian-Americans.

Thank you Marjan Kamali. I plan to read more by this lovely author.
Thank You Netgalley and Gallery Threshold

[Canadian Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these middle eastern stories. Fascinated by their traditions-charmed by some; repulsed by others.

This one is a reflection back on a love story that took place in 1953, Tehran. With a country who fought for democracy; for a couple who fought for it within their family. A couple who are destined to be together until torn apart for reasons unbeknownst to Roya. Fifty years later, she gets her answer.

The beauty and description as well as the character depiction , were captivating.
A beautiful cover to go with this beautiful story of love, loss and the reconciliation of destiny.
5⭐️

[Meagan✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.85 ⭐️

”Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.”

I love when you finish a book and you are in complete awe of what you just read. The Stationary Shop will be ingrained in my brain forever. This story was about love and loss and it was absolutely beautiful.

Brief Summary-
The Stationary Shop takes place in Iran in the 1950s, during the ousting of the prime minster. Bahman and Roya first meet at the Stationary Shop and you get to witness their beautiful love story. They are set to get married, but as we know life tends to have different plans for us. You then follow Roya and Bahman as they continue life without one another. Sixty years after their love falls apart they get to see each other again…..

”You might think the world is complicated and full of lost souls, that people who've touched your life and disappeared will never be found, but in the end all of that can change.”

My Thoughts-
When I tell you I felt all the emotions when reading this book I’m not even exaggerating. I laughed. I cried. I felt anger and sadness. This story absolutely destroyed me in the best possible way. This story consumed me with the beautiful love story, the art, culture, family and the cruelty of timing. A love story that makes you feel the butterflies of young first love & understanding of old matured love.

The writing in this book was magical. I felt like I was in Iran. I could smell the saffron. I could almost taste the tea. Truly incredible. The Authors descriptions of Irans culture is evocative and really come alive for readers. This is definitely a slow burn. The beginning of the book the pace was slow but once it picked up I didn’t want the story to end. I loved how the author added Iran’s political history in the 1950s i definitely learned a few things and I loved that added depth to this love story.

If you are looking for a book with a happy ending unfortunately this isn’t it. This is a story that plays out very real and real life doesn’t always have happy endings. I would still recommend this book as it’s truly such an amazing read.

“May you always be happy and may all your days be filled with beautiful words.” 🥹💖

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

My goodness. Another beautiful and enthralling read in a year full of them for me! I am going to be brief as the less said the better for potential readers of this wonderful novel.

The Stationery Shop (the perfect title for this story) is set in two timelines—1953 and 2013. I would estimate, however, that 90% of the story takes place in 1953, including, believe it or not, the epilogue. Our protagonist is Roya, a young woman who turns 17 years old in 1953. She meets her first love, Bahman, in a stationery shop run by a kind man eager to nurture young people who come in looking for knowledge. Both Roya and Bahman love poetry. The 1953 setting is Tehran, Iran, which is in political turmoil. The author’s research is obvious as we are presented with what Iranian life was like at that time, including the culture, the state of the unstable government, and the accompanying unrest. We also get a flavor of Persian food. And a most touching young romance.

Things do not go as hoped and much grief and sadness ensues. To say more would risk saying too much. What happens to these people involves social mores of the time, mental illness, lies and deceit, familial wishes, deep regret, and again, political unrest. This is NOT your usual young romance - in no way, shape or form. Ultimately, although I felt drained at the end, we get understanding, compassion, acceptance and an abundance of love in many different forms. The Stationery Shop, a most moving and unforgettable tale with exceptional characterization, gets all the stars and is highly recommended.

[Debbie W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. a GR friend's favorable review a few years ago, along with the stunning cover art (yes, I sometimes judge a book by its cover), had me adding it to my WTR list; and,
2. it became available for free to download on cloudLibrary.

Praises:
1. I love stationery and bookshops, and Mr. Fakhri's shop sounded like a sanctuary I would have reveled in by browsing his wares, just like MC Roya. As the story progressed, I learned just how central this setting and its owner were to so many lives;
2. I'm not into romance, but I do enjoy a good love story, even/especially if it's ill-fated. What the heck happened between Roya and Bahman during that day in August 1953? I had my suspicions, but naturally, I was wrong 🤦‍♀️;
3. I learned something about Iranian politics and how the 1953 coup d'etat changed this country's future. Also, the love and care that went into the Persian cuisine featured in this book had me salivating; and,
4. when Roya and Walter lose their infant daughter, Marigold, to croup, it broke my heart!

Niggles:
Nothing of major note to speak of!

Overall Thoughts:
I was pleasantly surprised as to the unpredictable direction this storyline went! It's a story about strong family bonds, about betrayal and regret, about love, loss and reconciliation.
A lovely read!

[♛ may · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 6 completed for #RamadanReadathon

@ author, please let me know where i can send the bills for the therapy that i now need

i get this deep ache in my chest every time i think about this book

the profound emotions of timeless love and loss and grief and missed chances and forgiveness punched me in the throat and i'm still not over it omg can someone make it STOP HURTING

the Stationery Shop is the story of a teenage girl in tehran during 1953 just before the iranian coup and the whirlwind romance she experiences with a boy (who is going to change the world) she meets in a small, cozy stationery shop.

from the beginning of the story, we know the time they have together is numbered and yet you cannot stop yourself from getting swept up in the love and passion and adoration they share

the aspects of iranian culture are history are so seamlessly entwined in the story. it's like you've entered a time machine and gone back to experience life with these characters during this time. it's not so much a commentary on the iranian coup, but more just a reconstruction of historic events and how life changing they were for the people in that time

i am so attached to the characters aaaaaaaaaaa

the author has a way of being so real and honest with the reader about these characters. she's able to grab that special aspect of human interaction and vulnerability and put it into words and give you a glimpse of something so personal and precious.

something like making a favourite childhood meal with someone left me with so much yearning jfkldjfkla my goodness it's just SO, SO, SO GOOD

there are so many subtle hints that the author leaves for the reader to piece together and theyre left in such a clever and brilliant way that when they do come together, you're left breathless and shaken

the parallels between the lives of the characters are truly incredible. in some ways the main couple of the story are doomed to repeat the actions of those before them. and the reader is well aware of this. which makes it so MUCH MORE HEARTBREAKING because you know where it's headed but there's nothing you can do but watch your own heart shatter into a million pieces :D yay for pain :D

AND THE ENDING!!!!!!!! I KNEW IT WAS COMING!!!!!!!

AND STILL!!!!!!!

the way the story is crafted with absolute care and attention to fine detail is what makes it such a timeless story about two young people falling in love during a turning point in their country's history

and my goodness, what a story this was

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. This book. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Roya lives in Tehran in the 1950s. She’s a teen brimming with idealism, at a time when it could be dangerous with the political upset in Iran. Roya finds peace in Mr. Fakhri’s book and stationery shop. (Can you even believe? This made this paper and book love over the moon with happiness!).

The store is dusty, warm, and inviting, and Mr. Fakhri is kind. There are fountain pens, bottles of ink, and special papers.

Mr. Fakhri introduces Roya to his other favorite customer, Bahman, with hopes love will develop. Bahman is also an idealist with a yearning for change. They are an instant match and continue to visit the shop together.

A couple months later, Roya and Bahman are to be married, and just before they are supposed to meet, the coup d’etat occurs that changes Iran forever. And Bahman never shows up.

Years pass- sixty years, in fact, until Roya and Bahman are reunited. Roya understandably has many questions for him about where he’s been.

Friends, this book is as lovely as that stunning cover. I savored every word. This reminded me a little of another gorgeous book I read about Iran last year, Song of a Captive Bird, which took place during the same time period. I adored both books.

I enjoyed learning more about the culture of Iran, and especially that tumultuous time in the 50s. The love between Roya and Bahman was effervescent, and I loved that they were reunited for some closure.

Overall, The Stationery Shop is not to be missed for fans of stories about families, cultural/diverse reads, historical fiction, and book and paper lovers like me who love all these other things, too, will be absolutely giddy to read this powerful, emotional love story set on a strong historical backdrop. I’m adding Together Tea, the debut by Marian Kamali, to my cart right this very instant.

I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com

[Dorie - Cats&Books :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

review to follow. This is a good book but I would classify it more as historical romance, there is little history in this book :(

[Em Lost In Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mediocre read with too many coincidences and a bit unbelievable on the romance part.

[Taufiq Yves · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story begins with a boy and a girl at the age of 17. The early parts of the book are sickeningly sweet, like Turkish delights - young love, you know. A coup changed everything.

At the age of 27, the girl had settled in a house with green shutters in New England. This part was particularly heartbreaking because the girl lost her daughter, Marigold, who was less than a year old. I specifically looked up what croup is - it's a relatively common childhood illness now.

At 77, the girl accidentally walked into a stationery store, which felt like she was transported back to Tehran 60 years ago. It was like a small stone dropped into a pond, disrupting her life that had been rekindled after giving birth to her son at the age of 42. When the girl visited the boy in a nursing home, she learned that their love letters had been switched, and before the boy passed away, they finally reconciled with each other and with their past selves.

This story also intertwines 2 important moments in Iranian history: the 1953 coup (when Prime Minister Mossadegh was overthrown and the Shah Pahlavi came to power), which changed the protagonists' fates; and the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which witnessed the death of their friend on the frontlines.

In Tehran in the 1950s, most middle-class girls got married right after high school. Who would have thought that the girl and her sister would end up far from their homeland in the US because of a failed engagement? It's neither good nor bad; for their parents, not having their children around them would certainly not be ideal, but missing the turmoil of the past 60 years is not necessarily a bad thing.

This novel is not long but spans a large time period; 70 years suddenly passed. While reading, I couldn't help but think of Blake Lively's movie The Age of Adaline, where the elderly grandmother calls Blake's ageless character "Mom".

The girl's mother always said, "Our fate is written on our foreheads when we're born. It can't be seen, can't be read, but it's there in invisible ink all right, and life follows that fate." I think that apart from some innate personality traits, everything else is impermanent. Just like the girl and her sister came to America together, but they still lived completely different lives.  

This is a simple story with simple premise, plot, narrative and characters. And, that’s it.

Persian food is everywhere in the novel. It represents the girl's youth and her nostalgic homeland. I might try some someday.

3.4 / 5 stars

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

How powerful young love can be. ❤️ This book is a very slow, sometimes agonizing, burn. But it’s heartbreakingly good. 🤓 There is so much packed in those last several chapters, that it really makes it worth the read. 👍

[Lisa (NY) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I have ice in my veins or am too cynical, but this "romantic" novel about two doomed lovers just didn't captivate me. The political background in 1950s Tehran was interesting as was the delectable cooking, but most of the novel was formulaic and predictable. And I was impatient with mopey, sorrowful Roya. I'm feeling generous, so three stars for potential.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ stars
In Tehran 1953, Roya and Bahman both 17 yrs old, first meet at a stationary shop that they both frequent. They are rapidly and intensely taken with each other, a romance blooms and quite soon they are engaged.
Fate has other things planned for these two souls and theirs is a powerful love story with feelings that last a lifetime, despite occurrences and people that separated them.
This book made me cry.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book for its messages about how political tumult can affect our relationships, romantic or otherwise. I appreciated the portrayal of what it’s like to live with a family member with mental illness and how mental illness can intersect with sociopolitical disenfranchisement. What moved me the most, perhaps, was how Marjan Kamali shows that sometimes life doesn’t pan out the way we want and we can find some meaning and purpose even if our hopes aren’t fully realized.

The writing, while easy to read, didn’t have that extra spark to make me give a five star rating. The twist at the end was also a bit predictable for me. Still, I could tell Kamali put her heart in this book and these characters so I give her props for that.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written love story set against the political upheaval of Iran in August 1953, which saw the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh ousted by a coup designed to keep Iran in the hands of the Shah and its oil under control of the British and Americans.

Roya, a poetry loving teenager in her last year of high school in Tehran loves nothing more than spending time browsing Mr Fakhri's stationery shop where as well as paper and pens he stocks all her favourite Persian poetry as well as translations of International novels. There she meets and falls in love with a handsome young man, Bahman who is a political activist supporting Mosaddegh. For both of them it is their first love and with help from Mr Fakri to continue meeting in his shop they fall head over heels. However, after they become engaged to marry their plans go badly awry for reasons that neither of them fully understand and they end up going their separate ways. Set in 1953 and 2013, Roya looks back at the events of August 1953 that stole away her first love and shaped the rest of her life.

Not only is the novel beautifully written and moving, it's also filled with the sights and sounds of Tehran during its brief period of democracy. The scents of delicately flavoured mouth watering Persian food leap off the pages whenever Roya or her family cook for special events or a dinner to cure homesickness. The book is also filled with wonderful characters from wide-eyed Roya and her fun loving sister Zara to the energetic but tender Bahman, the nostalgic, kind-hearted Mr Fakhri and Bahman's mentally fragile and bitter mother. A book I have no hesitation recommending to those who enjoy a tender love story.

With many thanks to Simon & Schuster AU for a copy of the book to read.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this after reading reading the enthusiastic review from my GR friend, Elyse. Unfortunately I didn't respond in the same manner. There are parts of it that I really liked and parts that just drove me up the wall.

I don't know if it's because I am old and cranky but the romance section just dragged out so long I wanted to scream. It just went on and on. I know many people like that so this could be the book for you. I was more interested in the political situation of Iran in 1953. There was a democratic Prime Minister overthrown by the Shah, backed by the Americans. That was fascinating. In fact it was that political situation that broke up the young lovers, Roya and Bahman. Bahman is a staunch supporter of the Prime Minister.

The couple meet at a Stationery Shop that also operates as a post office for young lovers. Roya is determined to read all the foreign translated novels. Bahman enjoys the poetry. The romance blossoms and blossoms and blossoms.

I did enjoy the food descriptions. It all sounded quite delicious. I also liked the story of the two young sisters traveling to America on scholarship to Mills College in the Bay Area. It was quite interesting to read of them making new lives in America. This could have been a better book. for me, if there was less romance.

Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

[Esil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A high 4 stars!

The Stationary Shop was an unexpected treat. This novel is partly set in Iran in the 1950s and partly set in contemporary US. The story focuses on Roya, who is a teenager in the 1950s and in love with Bahman. Through politics and family, things don’t work out for them, but they meet again in their 70s in the US. Roya and her journey are told lovingly. A number of characters do terrible things, but no one is terrible — life is complicated and people make bad choices. It’s a story about class, politics, Iran, food and family bonds. There’s one coincidence that was necessary but a bit irksome. But otherwise I loved this story of love, regret and strength and of character. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Zoulfa Katouh · Rating 5 out of 5]

“i’ve been waiting.”

yes, officer. this book right here.

[Olivia (Stories For Coffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. My heart aches for these characters, this story that consumed me with its lyrical writing, beautiful love story, and exploration of time, culture, religion, family, and the cruelty of fate.

The Stationery Shop is a poignant, moving novel infused with a rich writing style that left me in awe of how moving it was. This is the type of story I have been looking for in 2021, a book that would leave a lasting impression on me, that would have me hooked from the beginning, a story I won't forget.

God, read this book.


AT A GLANCE
• Persian MC dealing with heartbreak, finding herself, moving to a new country
• Star-crossed lovers
• Heartbreaking yet absolutely beautiful




TW: Gun violence, sexual assault, abortion

[Hoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The minute I heard my first love story,I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was.Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere.They’re in each other all along.”

Omg this was such a heartfelt, wonderful, emotional, utterly heartbreaking read. It’s the perfect eye opening to the Iran culture and customs and it’s political conflicts and what happened to their country in the past. It’s story of loss and love and remembrance. The book taught me so many things and effected me so deeply 💕

- the only thing that bothered me is that the writing was very very repetitive. It annoyed me sm but other than that it was so beautiful 🫶🏻

“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.”

bahman & roya:
Their love and relationship was so beautiful and adorable. I was in love with them from the moment they were stealing glances at eachothers in the stationary shop to the very end. The letters and how they were always in each other mind even after so many years 🥹 how bahman kept calling her roya joon ( which means the essence of his life and soul 😭🫶🏻). Their love for eachothers never stopped. i love them 🫶🏻🫶🏻

“Roya’s mother had always said that our fate is written on our foreheads when we’re born. It can’t be seen, can’t be read, but it’s there in invisible ink all right, and life follows that fate. No matter what.”

walter does men like him still exists? Like how can u find someone who loves u and give u everything even if you gave him so little he still will give u everything he has. Like please i need him🫶🏻 he’s so sweet and understanding. Always rational and considerate 💕💕

“You are in everything I see. In every moment, you are with me, Roya Joon.”

bahman mother ( the evil soul): I’m burning with hate for this woman. Omg i loath her. She outdid satan guys . I’m pretty sure his proud of what she did 😭 the woman is evil. She’s the one responsible for my misery rn 🌝 her name is on top on my death list 🔪

zari: tbh she didn’t do anything but I always got angry when she opened her mouth 🌝

Quotes

“I only heard your voice. In your presence, I found a calm.”

“Maybe old love just ran through the decades unfettered, unimpeded, even when denied.”

“I never stopped loving you.”

“. “This world is without compassion.”

“I loved you. I loved you then, I love you now, I will always love you”

“the love will continue to live the young will continue their hope the fight for democracy won’t die his books the words the notes the letters the hope cannot ever end. It is a love from which we never recover.”

“People lament the loss of a leader, but all I feel is the loss of you.”

[Stephanie ~~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely magnificent! I'm still trying to catch my breath and dab away a few last tears after gently closing the cover. Ahhh my.

This was a historical fiction novel that took place during the 1953 political uprising in Tehran, Iran. Roya and Bahman meet in Mr. Fakhri's stationery shop, a favorite place for them both. After falling in love against all odds, they plan to meet in secret and marry, but when that day comes, Roya finds that Bahman doesn't show. There is commotion in the square, and great tragedy strikes.

Years later Roya and Bahman meet again, and secrets are unearthed about what happened on that fateful day.

This story romanced me with how beautifully it was written. I learned so much about the politics, customs, clothing, food. It was a delight for the senses, and I felt as if I was almost reading one of Jhumpa Lahiri's novels, the way the author used sensory imagery.

Oh my gaaaawd, if you have been thinking of picking up this little masterpiece, I assure you, you will adore this novel. Adore it!

[Helia · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Persian girl born in Iran who immigrated to North America at age 17 with my family (including a younger sister), you can see how I would have had a particular interest in reading this book. This book is about a Persian girl raised in Iran who packs up her life and leaves Iran and all its political turmoil behind at age 18 and moves to the United States with her younger sister after all!

And as a person who started a bookclub over 10 years ago and has read 100+ books with said bookclub, many of which are about many different countries and cultures, but never before about the country I was born in or the culture I was raised in, you can imagine how very invested I was in picking this book so I can discuss it with my bookclub. So you could say I was VERY excited.

So it saddens me to give it a lukewarm 3 stars (2.5 stars rounded up). Now go get yourself a cup of tea, because I have a lot to say.

Here’s the thing: if you’re looking for a meet-cute romance novel filled to the brim with clichés and a paper-thin plot that takes a turn into “sad sob story” avenue pretty early on and then just sits there where nothing really happens for the rest of the novel, then sure, go ahead. But if you’re looking to learn about Iranian history or politics, the “immigrant experience”, meaningful dialogue or character development, then this book is not for you.

The main character Roya falls in love at age 17 when she’s a high school senior with a 17-year-old very politically active boy, her first love, first boy she’s ever kissed, etc. She has a relationship with him for 6-8 months during a very politically volatile time in Iran in 1953. Then a year later, she moves to America and proceeds to live there for 60 years.

So here’s the thing: This storyline fooled me into thinking that this book would focus on Iran, its people and their culture, its political turmoil, what happened there in the 1950s and considering the story spans 60 years, even more interestingly, what happened there in the late 1970s. I thought the love story is a meet-cute story of 2 teenagers in the backdrop of a nation fighting for something big and meaningful. This story is NOT that. This story is about 2 lovesick teenagers who, unfortunately and frankly embarrassingly, never grow up past the age 17. (The book does proudly mention multiple times that they are forever 17!)

When the story followed Roya to America when she was 18, I wasn’t disappointed that we’re moving away from Iran and its political climate and everyday life. I thought, an 18-year-old immigrant girl moves to America and goes to University. Hmmm who does this remind me of?! Let’s get to the business of showcasing the immigrant experience of Persians in North America. Yay. I’m sooo ready for this! This is NOT that story either.

You see, when Roya moves to America, ummm, nothing happens! The story just follows Roya, as she spends the next 60 years of her life pining for her high school crush. That’s it! That’s the story! The coup, the revolution, dethroning the Shah, the religious clerics taking over Iran and destroying every hope and dream, the wars, the marriages, the jobs, the children, the losses, all of it were just pale and insignificant occurrences in the background to this dull “love story”.

Ok, so now, major spoilers ahead as I really need to get my actual thoughts down:

Roya was a weak and truly boring character, with the personality of a yogurt (Yes, a “Yogurt Personality”, It’s a Persian saying. If you know, you know. (And you really should if you’ve already read this book!)) She lacks any agency whatsoever, and in the span of 60 years, she shows little to no character growth. Her defining characteristic is that she loves Bahman. That’s it.

Things just happen to her, and she simply does things people tell her to do. We are told she has interests: reading, writing, novels, poetry. We are told she wants to pursue a career one day in the world of books and stories and novels and literature. So naturally, we are never shown any real interest or potential beyond some high school reading. Naturally, her father tells her to pursue science, so she does. Naturally, her husband tells her to get a job as an admin assistant, so she does. Naturally, she has a kid one day and thank God her husband makes serious dough, because as it happens, she actually didn’t have any interest in writing, science or administrative work. She is a mother now; so her only interest is mothering.

And please save your breath and don’t come at me with the “it was the 1950s. What did you expect of women?” Please don’t force me to list every published female author or poet from the 1950s or earlier (Not that she couldn’t have pursued what she actually wanted in the 1960s or 70s or 80s and so on). Or every female scientist. Roya’s dad did the leg work for us. He gave Roya and her sister every last penny he had and sent them to America for them to become the next “Marie Currie”. So ya I expected her to do something, anything, with the opportunities presented to her in her life.

She loves a boy. Oh my God, does she ever love this boy! She loves this boy with every fiber of her being. The love she feels for this boy, and I quote, will fill up every inch of space in this world. So naturally, when the boy she knows oh, so well, the boy who BELONGS to her, writes her a horrific letter telling her to stay away from him, she believes everything he says and well, just stays away from him. When her sister points out that he was a piece of sh*t all along, she says “you were right, sister!”. Then naturally, when a random other boy 2 years later proposes to her, even though she doesn’t love him, she just marries him.

This goes on and on for 60 years. Even her two pregnancies happen to her. One was a happy accident; the other was a miracle.

Roya just sleepwalks through life for 60 years. From her education, to the choice of the country she spends her entire adult life in, to her husband, to her career, to her children, things just happen to Roya. Never does she ever show an ounce of agency to make a single meaningful decision for herself or make something happen for herself. She just reacts to the outside world and follows instructions. She grows up with an unconventional upbringing, with very modern parents, and is given a rare opportunity of higher education, independence, life choices beyond marrying who her parents chose for her. Now if you know anything about the Persian culture, then you know how extremely important education is. Education is your defining characteristic. Pursuit of education defines the Persian immigrant experience. Your education is how your worth is measured. (harsh but true!) Now imagine this Persian grandma with an American university education. Do we get to explore what this means? This honour and privilege?! This burden of familial and cultural expectations?! Nope. You know why? Because we are busy being told that…. You guessed it…. Roya loves Bahman.

And that brings me to my most important critique of this book: Marjan Kamali never shows us who these people really are. Why they love each other. How they would fit in each other’s lives. She just tells us again and again that they love each other. She never succeeds at “Show, Don’t Tell”. In the span of 60 years of his life, I never got to know Bahman. I didn’t understand what Roya loved about him. The only thing I could decipher in their 6-8 month relationship was that:

1) He was very politically active. A dangerous characteristic that Roya didn’t share. Alarm bells.
2) He had a mother who hated Roya with a passion and was strongly against their union and was not going to allow it. Double alarm bells.
3) He was attached at the hips to his mother. His mother was and always would be the most important woman in his life. Triple alarm bells.

And I would argue that Roya clearly didn’t know Bahman. She didn’t know him to the point that she didn’t notice his final letter was written by someone else, even though prior to that letter, we were told that Roya could always recognize his writing. I don’t mean his calligraphy; I mean his actual voice.

I would then take a step further and argue that Bahman also didn’t know Bahman. He was called no less than 732 times “The boy that will change the world”. He constantly and obsessively talked about Iranian politics. He even said instead of going to university, he’s going to start working at a political newspaper right out of high school to “change the world”. All he wanted was democracy. He would give his life to democracy: “Give me Mossadegh and or give me death”. He might not know much in this world but he knew 2 things: He loved Roya and he wanted a democratic future Iran. So naturally, 2 months after the coup against Mossadegh and a fake letter from Roya, he marries a girl with strong connection to the “evil” Shah of Iran and starts work at the oil company to make his way in the corporate world. Why? Why marry a girl you despise at age 18? Couldn’t you wait till you’re, I don’t know, 19? 20?

So as you can see the character development left a lot to be desired. But aside from that, I had a lot of issues with the plotting as well.

There was so much that happened in this book for no reason whatsoever. Horrible things happened to characters for no apparent reason other than making the reader feel sorry and earning sympathy points. For example, what reason was there for Marigold dying? What was the reason for Claire not having any siblings, losing her father at age 2, then losing her mother to cancer, then having no friends and being so desperately lonely? Why couldn’t Claire just be a sympathetic lovely human being, who’s very good at her job at the senior centre, without having an incredibly sad background story?

What was the point of Jahangir, the good looking rich and fabulous gay boy who goes on to be a doctor, dying in the Iran-Iraq war? You want to write about being gay in modern day Gilead (aka the Islamic Republic of Iran)? Well that’s a bold and fantastic idea and I would love nothing more than to read that kind of storyline. But then you don’t… You just casually kill him off in the war. And the plotting makes no sense. Jahangir is a very wealthy man. He’s a doctor. He’s the son of a doctor, with connections to the Shah of Iran AND he also happens to be gay. My dear, Jahangir won’t be in Iran a day past the revolution! Jahangir would be moving to the States the same way everyone else with any connections to the Shah, or frankly any resources did.

I did not like the story of Mr. Fakhri and Bahman’s mother, Badri. I felt there was just so much there to unpack and the author either didn’t have the courage or the storytelling ability (and honestly probably both) to really do that subplot any sort of justice. I really couldn’t figure out what the author was trying to do with the storyline of Badri.

In a very odd and horrific way, I thought she was hinting that life repeats itself; that time is circular, not linear. That Roya in so many ways had the same destiny as Badri: She fell in love young and had her heart broken by the family of a boy who were never going to accept her; she married another man (a much better one by all accounts) but went on to pine for that teenaged love all her life; she lost a baby and carried the heartbreak all her life; she ended up with just the one son who was the “noor” of her eyes. Oh and wait, she’s going to meet the future wife of said one-and-only-son herself before the son does, immediately like her, and bring her into the story. (Can we talk about the cringy eye-roll-inducing scene of Kyle showing up unannounced at the exact night that Claire is having dinner at Roya’s house, and Claire having one look at him and blushing instantly?) So what is the author saying? What’s her point? Why is Roya repeating Badri’s life? Is she trying to humanize Badri in Roya’s eyes? Does she want the readers to forgive Badri for her horrible parenting? (Same type of thing as the lame attempt at telling us in the epilogue that Mr. Fakhri’s last act before his untimely death was trying to fix past mistakes?) Honestly, I have no idea!

I was also very frustrated by the author’s pick and choosing of Persian customs to include or exclude in the storyline. She picked whatever would help her plot and left whatever didn’t. Logic be damned! My rule of thumb is quite simple: “Make it make sense”. She did NOT.

The thing is I really liked her attempt at touching on the cultural phenomenon of parents' extreme influence in their children’s life decisions, including marriages. That’s accurate. I also really liked her touching on the horrifically harsh class system in Iran. That’s also accurate. You know what is not accurate? Picking and choosing when they apply! Don’t tell me Bahman’s mother was never going to allow her son to marry Roya because Roya wasn’t from a wealthy enough family, while also telling me that Roya’s parents were more than OK with Roya marrying a boy whose mom thought Roya was dirt. This is a 2-way street. On the one hand, you tell us that Roya’s father had big dreams for his daughters, dreams of education and independence and a voice in this world! Then on the other hand, you tell me Roya’s parents did not mind one bit when a 17-year-old showed up to ask for her hand in marriage WITHOUT his parents? They did not mind when he said I’m not planning to go to university. (refer back to my rant about education above to really get what this means!) I’m just going to be a “siasi” and be politically active till eventually I end up dead or imprisoned. Then at a later time, Roya’s parents finally meet Bahman’s parents and discover the mother intends to make their daughter’s life a living hell, and they still don’t mind?

As a Persian, let me tell you unequivocally: no Persian parents with any sort of hopes or dreams for their daughter’s future would agree to this marriage. They wouldn’t agree to it today (80 years later) as plain and simple as they wouldn’t have agreed to it then.

Let me tell you another thing: If you had to distill the Persian culture to one single word it would be: FAMILY. Persians move mountains for their family. Family is the core of their being. It is absolutely their everything. So please do explain to me why the author decided to dedicate page after page to Nowruz spring cleaning and the haft-seen display as the pillars of the Persian culture, but didn’t explain the fundamental issue of where Roya’s support system was during the happiest and saddest moments of her life? You want to tell me that when Marigold was born it was Alice who made baked potatoes and not Roya’s mother? You want to tell me when Marigold died it was Patricia who came to sit by Roya on the day of Nowruz and not her parents? My dear, you don’t know Persians at all!

I could go on and on. There's so much more to really pick apart here. But this review has got very long, and I'm sure you catch my drift by now. Overall, I would say I didn't like the plotting or character development or the many missed opportunities to tell a meaningful story of our recent horrific history or unpack emotionally charged storylines. But I did like the few glimpses of our cultural pride in Persian poetry and the beautiful description of our yummy amazing food.

[Muhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

TLDR: If you’re into romantic tropes, historical fiction, plot spanning an entire lifetime, and epistolary writing, you might be into this. Do not expect much by way of Iranian history, realism, suspense, dialogue, or character development.

Reading this book gave me the opportunity to think more deeply about why I don’t tend to like historical fiction. Contemporary settings are oftentimes the author’s and reader’s lived realities and therefore intimately familiar to both in a way that a historical context can never be. This frees up the writer to more lyricism in their writing and the reader to more lyricism in their interpretation. A lot of historical fiction gets bogged down in relaying historical events and lose that lyrical, literary quality. The history bits end up feeling like some forced cheesy pedagogical exercise with pale characters and writing.

So this book follows the life of Roya as she meetcutes activist Bahman in a stationary shop in Tehran, Iran in 1953. After they get separated, we follow her to school in the U.S., and her life thereafter. The conceit of the plot is just paper thin, you can pretty much guess every twist. Building suspense/mystery is really not this author’s strong suit. Romantic tropes and deus ex machina galore. I liked the epistolary chapters in the middle but didn’t like that the big payoff chapter at the end was entirely epistolary. Too much telling. The stationary shop really didn’t end up figuring much in the story at all - by which I mean it danced in and out but you could’ve replaced the words stationary shop with coffee shop, noodle place, laundromat - anything else and it wouldn’t have changed the story one bit. As a stationary geek I was not satisfied. Not enough stationary porn! Not enough literary geekiness!

Roya frustratingly lacks agency or character traits, doesn’t make any decisions, doesn’t appear to think about anything or have any kind of inner world, only ever reacts to external events or follows instructions of others. Allegedly loves reading and had an unconventional upbringing as a girl in mid-century Tehran but we don’t really see that play out against her peers or the rest of society - she never mentions reading or thinking about poetry/books/heroines/characters/philosophies past the meetcute. No chemistry between romantic leads - meetcute is cute but we’re just kind of told they love each other now, in spite of the fact that Roya is really against Bahman’s political activism which is kind of his defining character trait/core beliefs so why did she??? Like him??????

Young Mr. Fakhri and melon girl was super rape-y, the writing here also literally compares her to a melon to be bought and consumed. He kept describing her as sweet and sticky and it felt really gross given their diegetic power imbalance. This does get kind of resolved later but not handled very well. In a similar vein, Bahman’s mom’s character was handled EXCEEDINGLY POORLY. She suffers from depression and seemingly mania and personality disorder or something, but her characterization is bizarrely like something out of a Gothic English novel, like she’s basically Mr. Rochester’s mad wife Bertha they try to hide in the attic and who acts erratically and feels sort of demonic.

Halfway through you’re like ok how much more plot could there possibly be left to fill the next half - and indeed, the middle of the book is pretty much useless. Roya continues not to develop as a character (a tragedy happens to her and she is sad but that’s not really meaningfully separated from her #sad feelings about Bahman so it didn’t really feel like it added anything to her #sad character). There is a random chapter dedicated to the backstory of Claire the senior centre staff member that goes no where. Walter and Zari also stay mostly the same. There is like a one page arc for Patricia and her relationship with Roya that is genuinely moving but is over so quick you’d blink and miss it.

People whose stories seem more interesting than Roya’s and are CERTAINLY more interesting than Claire’s: Jahangir, melon girl’s life after Mr. Fakhri, Mr. Fakhri, Bahman’s life after 1953.

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