Middle East/North African Lit discussion

I have just started reading The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali. Would anyone like to join me in a buddy read?

Yes, I can request it from my library. I’ll check back later!

I read it last year! It's very good, although Rooftops over Tehran moved me even more

Eileen wrote: "I have just started reading The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali. Would anyone like to join me in a buddy read?"

I read a few months ago but very happy to discuss it with you when you're done or as you go along :)

Melanie wrote: "Yes, I can request it from my library. I’ll check back later!"

Great! There might be a waiting list though.

Jalilah wrote: "I read it last year! It's very good, although Rooftops over Tehran moved me even more"

So far I am enjoying it. Maybe you can join our discussion later.

Rana wrote: "Eileen wrote: "I have just started reading The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali. Would anyone like to join me in a buddy read?"

I read a few months ago but very happy to discuss it with you when y..."

That would be great! I'll see if I have questions or comments as I read, otherwise will let you know when I'm done.

Great move Eileen, thanks!
I will see if I can reach a copy.

I forgot to add I'll still be willing to discuss it although I don't remember everything

I reached a copy. Do you like to set it on the group page ? starting from shen ? December 15?

Niledaughter wrote: "I reached a copy. Do you like to set it on the group page ? starting from shen ? December 15?"

Okay, I will move it. Which folder should it be in? 2020?

Eileen wrote: "Niledaughter wrote: "I reached a copy. Do you like to set it on the group page ? starting from shen ? December 15?"

Okay, I will move it. Which folder should it be in? 2020?"

No, you do not need to move any thing, I can mark the book on the group page as an upcoming read so others can join the discussion but I need to set a date, December 15 will be good?

Niledaughter wrote: "Eileen wrote: "Niledaughter wrote: "I reached a copy. Do you like to set it on the group page ? starting from shen ? December 15?"

Okay, I will move it. Which folder should it be in? 2020?"

No, y..."


Yes, December 15 is good. I just finished the book today. Couldn't put it down. Looking forward to our discussion!

Sounds great! I'm waiting for my copy...

I'd like to join the buddy read too please on Dec 15 :)

Great! :)

I have my copy! I'll write more when I get the chance to read some :)

Cool! :)

Sorry I am late in kicking off our discussion. I finished the book and so enjoyed it. I thought it was beautifully written and very moving. Any reactions so far?

One thing I wondered about was why Badri disliked Roya so vehemently. Considering her own back story shouldn't she have wanted her own son to marry for love? Any thoughts?

I finished the book. It was bittersweet. I agree, Eileen. It just seemed so sad to me throughout the book that Badri turned so bitter and could never release that, and it wasn't even entirely convincing. I did like, however, that what kept the main couple apart was not primarily politics. It was personal. This makes the book relatable to more people. Honestly, I enjoyed the author's other book (Together Tea) more.

Melanie wrote: "I finished the book. It was bittersweet. I agree, Eileen. It just seemed so sad to me throughout the book that Badri turned so bitter and could never release that, and it wasn't even entirely convi..."

Bittersweet is the perfect description. I also preferred Together Tea but I gave it 5 stars because I feel that Kamali deftly accomplished what she set out to do, that is to relate a tragic love affair, one from which the lovers "never recover." I also really loved the writing. I think there was just the right amount of history blended with the fiction.

I agree with what both Melanie and Eileen said about it! I rated it 4 stars

It’s nice to read it together. Thanks Eileen for helping me get around to reading it!

I just watched a fun video discussion of the book with Kamali and 2 women from her publisher. Here is a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RWzk...

Also, the Youtube discussion ends with some thoughts on the two great loves in Roya's life. What did you all think about Walter compared to Bahman?

I am still at the beginning, I need to read more before sharing any thoughts.

No problem. There are no spoilers in the YouTube discussion.

Walter was a nice guy, but just not interesting. I appreciate the representation of different kinds of love and relationships (that can be different and still positive). Walter would have been more compelling if he had gotten along well with his wife's sister or if he had stood up to his own sister in defense of his wife. His character seemed neutral and bland.

I agree that Walter was a bit bland; there didn't seem to be any passion in Roya and his love story, though there was love. And he could have defended Roya better from his sister. But I felt there was a major shift in their relationship after they lost their child. Many marriages fall apart at that point but I think that Walter showed his true colors and really supported Roya then. He didn't insist on having another child right away and helped Roya through their common grief. Walter was a good husband and father, a compassionate and kind man, and their love was a beautiful thing. It was not the passionate love that Roya and Bahman had but it was beautiful nonetheless.

Melanie wrote: "Walter was a nice guy, but just not interesting. I appreciate the representation of different kinds of love and relationships (that can be different and still positive). Walter would have been more..."
I agree with Melanie - the character of Walter was a little bland.
I think the book would have been even better if the author had investigated how the protagonist's life-long love of her former fiance impacted her relationship with her husband. As it was, it seemed to have no impact at all. I enjoyed the historical fiction elements of this book more than the romance - but I don't usually read romance novels so take that with a grain of salt!

I actually enjoyed how her lifelong love and her marriage didn't interfere too much with one another. Those questions could have been addressed, I agree, although in general I liked that the main character could maintain different relationships without losing too much time or effort trying to compare them, reconcile them, or thinking of the absent.