This is a book I can not wait to revisit. I think I might even want to own a nice copy of it for my shelves because I definitely want to revisit it in print form, so I'm excited to, in a way, revisit it again by creating this blog post!
"A novel set in 1953 Tehran against the backdrop of the Iranian Coup about a young couple in love who are separated on the eve of their marriage, and who are reunited sixty years later, after having moved on to live independent lives in America, to discover the truth about what happened on that fateful day in the town square."
-Goodreads
The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali
Release Date: June 18, 2019
Read from: 3/21/2020 - 3/26/2020
Format: Audiobook (Scribd)
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 stars
This book was such a well written web of a story! We follow a few main characters who all connect to each other in ways we don’t expect. It’s a story of young love and tragedy. Taking place during a period of political unrest in Iran, our two lovers meet, and then in Romeo and Juliet style, are torn apart. Tehran, the Iranian capitol where our characters live, is becoming a dangerous and violent city in the 1950’s, and many young people are leaving for America to get an education and live a better, safer life.
-GoIranTours.com
Roya and Bahman met when they were 17 years old. Both very educated individuals, they meet in a stationary shop owned by Mr. Fakhri. Bahman is secretly, and dangerously involved in a fight to make Iran's government a democracy. He opens up Roya's eyes to new ideas and a different world. They fall in love, and create plans to get married. But one deadly day in a town square rips them away from each other. Roya eventually finds her way to America to pursue a greater education than can be provided to her in Iran, even though she has to leave her family behind. Her sister comes along with her, and they build new lives for themselves.
Tehran, Iran; 1953 -Tehran Times
-CNN.com
The story is told from a few different perspectives, and from different points in time. I feel like I can’t give it enough justice in this review because it is SO much more than a love story. It’s history. It’s appreciation for a different culture and the love of family. Characters embodying intelligence, determination and perseverance. You’ll love the characters and hate them at the same time. You’ll root for them to be happy, and you’ll feel their sadness. The ending brought it all full circle. This complicated twisting story was turned into a beautiful, intricate web, and the feelings it gave me at the end are what really raised up my rating. I was totally and completely NOT expecting that from this book, even though, because of the real life events that this story circulates, it had very sad and scary elements to it.
My favorite books really are the ones that feel like a beautiful, sparkling spider web. It all comes together in a way I could in no way re-create. Like this book, you just need to experience it for yourself!
-Modern Day Tehran (TheCultureTrip.com)
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