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hollydyer328's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was a rich, lush, and complex love story (but not a romance). Set in the backdrop of the political turmoil of 1950s Iran, we get a star-crossed lovers story of Roya and Bahman. They meet in a quaint stationary shop run by Mr. Fakri, and they exchange letters to each other through pages of books in the shop. Despite Bahman's mother's disapproval, they make a plan to get married by meeting in the town square. However, a protest erupts and Roya and Bahman are separated and forced to live their lives without each other. Roya goes to the US for university, marries and settles in New England, but the what-could-have-been love she felt for Bahman will haunt her for decades.
At some points I thought this story was falling into a common romance trope, but Kamali handles it wisely and with emotional resonance. She particularly explores family dynamics and expectations of class and gender, as well as mental health and its stigmas. The setting of the political conflict between the Shah and the Prime Minister adds tension and stakes. And the descriptions of the Persian cuisine and cooking adds warmth and depth. The audio is a captivating listen!
At some points I thought this story was falling into a common romance trope, but Kamali handles it wisely and with emotional resonance. She particularly explores family dynamics and expectations of class and gender, as well as mental health and its stigmas. The setting of the political conflict between the Shah and the Prime Minister adds tension and stakes. And the descriptions of the Persian cuisine and cooking adds warmth and depth. The audio is a captivating listen!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Miscarriage
Moderate: Abortion
chloewakham's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion
brayj_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and War
nofy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, and Suicide attempt
adrians_library's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
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
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
This one is a quiet cozy, but melancholy and tear jerking story of love, loss, and.. ok more loss.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
mugsandmanuscripts's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This novel was so well done and the story was such a gift to follow. This book is really sad, but also beautiful.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Miscarriage
Moderate: Violence
stefappleton's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Miscarriage
taliabasma's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Idk the book was good but bad lol. The writing was poignant and I don’t love time jumps but this one was very well done. (But we really did not at all need Claire’s pov )
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.
If you hate miscommunication this is basically a back and forth novel with a purposeful and manipulative miscommunication.
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.
Content Warnings
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