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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
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
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
- 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
taliabasma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The best way to describe this is, the fault in our stars was sad on purpose while a walk to remember was a story with sadness. And idk this book felt like it was sad on purpose.
We don’t really get to know Bahman nor Roya’s full personality. They just had a young love but there wasn’t much depth to their characters nor their relationship outside of the missed factor.
I also think this book is actually about Bahman’s mom and her life more than anyone else to be honest and it could be a good thing if they gave her character a LITTLE bit more depth.
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Death of parent, and War
hmwoodward'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? Yes
4.0
I read this one per a bookstagramer recommendation, even though historical fiction is not my jam - especially after how long and sad the last one I read was. But, the book was great and I would definitely recommend it - just keep the content warnings in mind.
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Infertility, Medical content, Abortion, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
jsprenk'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
3.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, and Abortion