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brayj_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and War
emilykaegi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death and Abortion
artemismoon057's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Colonisation, and War
nofy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, and Suicide attempt
adrians_library's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Violence, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexism, Police brutality, Abortion, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
cajun_reader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Violence
lomesia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Self harm, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Violence, Mass/school shootings, Abortion, and War
Minor: Cancer, Incest, Pedophilia, and Police brutality
erebus53's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Teens meet in Tehran, are separated, and come back together in the end of lives that are rivers of joy and sadness.
I liked the story, but it's more evocative than plot-filled.
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
mugsandmanuscripts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A short summary: Roya and Bahman, members of different economic classes, meet and fall in love with each other during a time of political turmoil in Iran through a stationery/book shop they both frequent. Despite social customs and Bahman's mother's strong feelings against Roya, they become engaged and begin planning their wedding. All falls apart on August 19, 1953, the day of 28 Mordad Coup D'état, when Roya goes to the city square to meet Bahman to secretly elope but he never shows.
This story is one of heartbreak (and many kinds of it, at that) and enduring love. Both Bahman and Roya spend the next 60 years with other partners, having children, and otherwise living lives bereft of each other. By chance, Roya finds out he lives in an assisted living facility nearby and visits him to ask him why he never showed. An emotional narrative told through flashbacks and multiple POVs follows.
A few things stood out to me about this novel. First, it's just artfully written. The prose flows elegantly, the pacing is perfect, and the characters are both believable and lovable, flaws and all. Second, it's very well-grounded in its time and place. I learned a lot about Iran and the events of the 1953 coup, as well as several cultural practices and class issues (at least from the 1920s-50s). My interest is definitely piqued, and I'm hoping to read more books exploring Iranian heritage.
Graphic: Child death and Miscarriage
Moderate: Violence
stefappleton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child death and Miscarriage