51 pages • 1 hour read
The Stationery Shop of Tehran
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Book Brief
308
Novel • Fiction
Tehran • 1950s
2019
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali follows the love story of Roya and Bahman, a young Iranian couple who meet in a stationery shop in 1953 Tehran and plan to marry. However, an apparent misunderstanding separates them. Decades later, a chance reunion in the United States gives them the opportunity to confront and reconcile with the past. The novel explores love, memory, loss, and the intersection of the personal and political. The novel contains references to miscarriage, the death of a child, and death by suicide.
Bittersweet
Romantic
Nostalgic
Emotional
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali is praised for its evocative portrayal of 1950s Tehran and the emotional depth of its characters. Readers appreciate Kamali's lyrical prose and the poignant love story. However, some find the later plot developments predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, it is a heartfelt and nostalgic novel that bridges past and present effectively.
Who Should Read The Stationery Shop of Tehran?
Readers who cherish poignant love stories set against a backdrop of political turmoil will relish The Stationery Shop of Tehran. Fans of Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns or Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale will find similar depth in this evocative tale of love, loss, and resilience in 1950s Iran.
Bahman
Bahman
A fearless and idealistic young man devoted to political change and his love for Roya, whose life is marked by disillusionment and a profound longing for his past, symbolized by his connection to the Stationery Shop.
Walter
Walter
An empathetic and stable presence in Roya's life, whose kindness and support create a contrast to her more passionate past relationships, contributing significantly to Roya's life in America.
Mrs. Aslan
Mrs. Aslan
Bahman's mother, whose traumatic past drives her to interfere in Roya and Bahman's relationship, embodying the complexities of ambition and bitterness.
Mr. Fakhri
Mr. Fakhri
The owner of the Stationery Shop who aids young lovers and grapples with his past decisions involving Mrs. Aslan, playing a pivotal role in the unfolding events.
Jahangir
Jahangir
Bahman's devoted friend, whose unspoken love for Bahman adds layers to his friendship, ultimately serving in the Iran-Iraq War and maintaining connections between Bahman and Roya.
308
Novel • Fiction
Tehran • 1950s
2019
Adult
18+ years
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