Reviews tagging 'Abortion'

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

117 reviews

hollydyer328's review against another edition

Go to review page

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!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

chloewakham's review

Go to review page

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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

charink's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

charwal's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional informative mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

brayj_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

emilykaegi's review

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Wow what a beautiful and absolutely tragic love story.
Cried so hard at the end but loved it. Felt Royas life had some unnecessary hardships but thought the reunion was perfect. Saw the twist coming about half way through but not necessary who it was.
very very good
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

adrians_library's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lomesia's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

erebus53's review against another edition

Go to review page

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. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

taliabasma's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings