Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

24 reviews

chaitra_brewedbookworm's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

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

5.0

The Stationery Shop of Tehran is a beautifully written, heart-wrenching novel that truly tugs at your emotions. It made me cry, feel deeply for the characters, and reflect on the ease of life we enjoy today compared to the struggles of the past. Though I'm not typically a romance reader, this book pulled at all the right strings, making me want to know more about the boy who would change the world and his beloved, Roya Joon.
The depiction of political unrest and its lasting impact on people’s lives is breathtaking. The way Marjan Kamali weaves history into the love story is seamless, capturing both personal and political turmoil. Written in multiple timelines with third-person narration, the story also includes poignant letters that provide a deeply personal touch.
I cried, hurt, and even cursed at the characters' fate as I experienced their journey through love, loss, and betrayal. This story is filled with so much—passion, sisterhood, dreams, trauma, trust, friendship, and psychological struggles. The ending left a lump in my throat; it was so painful yet so incredibly moving. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Classism

Moderate: Cancer, Death, and War

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. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

erinkellyreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

 Easily, this is in the running for best book of the year for me, if not best book of the last few years. The writing is stunning, the characters are complicated and nuanced, and the story is heartfelt and heartbreaking. If this isn't on your TBR, it should be. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Infertility, Mental illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Gun violence, Islamophobia, Mass/school shootings, Abortion, and Murder

Minor: Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

kailiyahknight's review against another edition

challenging dark 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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Cancer, Miscarriage, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and War

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

---

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

mdavis26's review against another edition

4.25

---

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

---

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

arnoles's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad 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

4.75

This was a absolutely beautiful, gorgeous book. The love story was powerful and moving and the theme of societal/family expectations and personal desire was expressed beautifully. The time jump and the occasional switch in character focus was used perfectly. I learned a lot about Iranian history and Persian culture from this book as well. Definitely have tissues ready for the last 50 or so pages.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Minor: Cancer and Xenophobia

oddreads_nicolestins's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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? No

5.0

This book was a whirlwind! I really enjoyed how Marjan took us from the past to the present throughout. The plot twists were twisting, and I enjoyed the way Marjan set up the plot. I'm not a big romance reader- honestly this is one of two books I've read with romance as a main theme. Without giving away spoilers, the romance between Roya and Bahman was very sweet and definitely portrayed young love at it's finest. The drama between the adults was where the true tea simmered! Aside from the romance elements, I also appreciated the historical/cultural backdrop of the book and learned so much about 1950s Tehran! Highly recommend if you're into historical fiction/romance.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Grief, and Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child death, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Minor: Vomit and War