A review by hollydyer328
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

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!
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