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purni's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down. I was absolutely immersed in the world of Roya and Bahman. Their letters to one another took me back in time to my own love story of a long distance relationship that survived on letters. The tragedy of it brought a heavy knot up my throat. I wanted to know more about Walter, from the author, not just from Roya. I do not understand why the author made Roya go through Marigold. Why? What was the point other than to tie it back to that one line Roya remembered from Mrs. Aslan. Was it to help Roya comprehend the fragility of human life, hadn't Roya already understood that at Sepah Square? That one part did not make sense to me. I also wished to know more about Patricia and Alice and how they come to be of comfort and support to Roya through the years, not just around Marigold.
A weekend well spent lost in the pages of a good book.
A weekend well spent lost in the pages of a good book.
patricia_wilton's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
jclenzi's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 - This book is just flat out beautifully written. Ms. Kamali describes young/new love so well, it takes you right back to your own. She also manages to follow that love throughout, in an incredibly descriptive way, without coming across as romance novel level cheese. I didn’t want it to end, even though I HAD to know what happened.
saylorrains's review against another edition
5.0
I have so many feelings about this book, but they are all important. Coming from someone who isn't that enamored with most romance novels, this was a beautiful love story.
The book tells the story of two seventeen-year-olds in 1953 Iran who fall in love over the summer through a stationery shop and their bookish love. The romance builds in a shy, slow, realistic pace. Kamali does a good job of writing the way that Roya is consumed slowly by her love of Bahman. With many supporting characters, many very supportive while a few are completely against their relationship, they love each other regardless of the opinions of others. One very important factor incorporated into this book is the political climate of Iran in the 50's. Bahman is an activist and this plays a large role in some of the hurdles in the first half of the book.
When Bahman and his parents suddenly disappear and no one can find them, they carry on through only their letters to one another. Until they write making plans of eloping and Bahman never shows up. Confused and concerned, Roya can only wait for word on her fiance- until she finally gets it from the future mother-in-law that never liked her and always wanted better for her son. This is the pivotal point where everything changes and their course is set to not cross paths again for sixty years.
Right from the beginning, there is an amazing incorporation of Iranian customs and culture, especially those that involve food, sprinkled throughout the story-line. While many romance novels tend to exclude political climates while writing about an all-consuming romance, this one highlights the effect that it can have on the normal lives of people. This was a romance novel that felt realistic. It never felt rushed or thrown together, and the emotions were there. When Roya's heart was breaking over Bahman's engagement to someone else, so was mine.
Without spoiling the ending, this was the most heartbreaking part of the novel. We find out the real reason behind everything that happened sixty years ago and we discover everything that's happened since then. The book features a multitude of themes, love, culture, family, undiagnosed mental health problems, heartbreak and moving forward, and so many other things can be picked from this book. I put this book off for so long because it didn't sound like something I would enjoy, and I ended up loving it. I would highly recommend this.
The book tells the story of two seventeen-year-olds in 1953 Iran who fall in love over the summer through a stationery shop and their bookish love. The romance builds in a shy, slow, realistic pace. Kamali does a good job of writing the way that Roya is consumed slowly by her love of Bahman. With many supporting characters, many very supportive while a few are completely against their relationship, they love each other regardless of the opinions of others. One very important factor incorporated into this book is the political climate of Iran in the 50's. Bahman is an activist and this plays a large role in some of the hurdles in the first half of the book.
When Bahman and his parents suddenly disappear and no one can find them, they carry on through only their letters to one another. Until they write making plans of eloping and Bahman never shows up. Confused and concerned, Roya can only wait for word on her fiance- until she finally gets it from the future mother-in-law that never liked her and always wanted better for her son. This is the pivotal point where everything changes and their course is set to not cross paths again for sixty years.
Right from the beginning, there is an amazing incorporation of Iranian customs and culture, especially those that involve food, sprinkled throughout the story-line. While many romance novels tend to exclude political climates while writing about an all-consuming romance, this one highlights the effect that it can have on the normal lives of people. This was a romance novel that felt realistic. It never felt rushed or thrown together, and the emotions were there. When Roya's heart was breaking over Bahman's engagement to someone else, so was mine.
Without spoiling the ending, this was the most heartbreaking part of the novel. We find out the real reason behind everything that happened sixty years ago and we discover everything that's happened since then. The book features a multitude of themes, love, culture, family, undiagnosed mental health problems, heartbreak and moving forward, and so many other things can be picked from this book. I put this book off for so long because it didn't sound like something I would enjoy, and I ended up loving it. I would highly recommend this.
lightasaheather92's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
ewagner484's review against another edition
5.0
Bittersweet but beautifully written. The details are so rich you will smell the fragrances of Iran as you read. I’m so glad I took the time for this one.
soiii's review against another edition
5.0
It is a wonder that how at times grief and guilt makes us do things that we regret for the rest of our lives.. Only to lessen the guilt, we are sucked back to the endless misery that is caused by us to others in moments of pure selfishness.
jladuke's review against another edition
5.0
I truly loved this love story. It reminded me of what it is like to be young and in love. The main character Roya had an interesting path from Tehran to America. I truly cared about her story. I found this book difficult to put down.
Another interesting facet was the time period where much of the book's action takes place. Most of the books I have read that took place during an Iranian revolution were set in the late 70's. It is interesting reading a book where parts of the narrative are set in the time of the 1953 revolution.
Another interesting facet was the time period where much of the book's action takes place. Most of the books I have read that took place during an Iranian revolution were set in the late 70's. It is interesting reading a book where parts of the narrative are set in the time of the 1953 revolution.