Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

84 reviews

emlittle's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This book was beautiful and heartbreaking and  hurt me in a way I didn’t know a book could hurt me. I couldn’t adore it more. Roya’s worries at the beginning of the book feel too familiar: the polarization of politics at school, civil unrest, and uncertainty about the future. At one point, she assures herself America’s government would have nothing to do with overthrowing her own in Iran- that one felt like an extra kick in the stomach. Kamari tells a story through Iran’s coup in the 50’s that holds up a pretty relevant mirror.

The character work throughout the story is great; the main focus stays on Roya, but Kamari weaves a web of interconnectedness that feels so real. We get to see how different characters interact with each other and get insight into their personal histories. We get to see Roya change as she is touched by love, heartbreak, contentedness, and tragedy. You’re not just reading; Kamari ensures you’re LIVING Roya’s life.

I also really enjoyed the non-linear story telling. There are bits of the present intercut with long bouts of flashbacks and other people’s stories peppered in along the way. It feels so complete and there’s a satisfaction to the level of context you’re given- which makes the ending even more heartbreaking. I’m so glad to have gotten this book recommended to me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and War

bookishcookiemonster's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

I really enjoyed the layers and complexity of the story. 
Its more than just a love story. So beautiful, so heartbreaking ans yet also full of hope.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

777elia's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

4.5

The writing style of this book was absolutely beautiful. The author could repeat the same details over and still add nuance and renew the same feelings I felt when first reading the event. I thought when the plot was revealed in the first chapter that this book wouldn't surprise me much but my god it did. Some moments were gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking and others filled with so much love. I couldn't put this book down it kept drawing me in. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a powerful love story that withstands the test of time.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Chronic illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Sexual harassment

ecandrews0's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, and War

Minor: Cancer, Vomit, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury

catarina_pego's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Child death and War

mdavis26's review against another edition

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Islamophobia, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

cielo's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism

kpeps's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A beautiful story with incredible lessons and connections, but some of the miscommunication made me not want to finish at times.  All in all a good read, and I would absolutely reach for this author again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Grief, and War

Moderate: Body shaming, Abortion, and Suicide attempt

samfrancis's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

Minor: Mental illness and Suicide attempt

seforaflorian's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Classism