The Stationery Shop
$11.19$18.99 (-41%)
From the award-nominated author of Together Tea and The Lion Women of Tehran, a poignant, “powerful” (The Wall Street Journal) and “affecting novel about first love” (Real Simple) that explores loss, reconciliation, and the quirks of fate.
Roya, a dreamy, idealistic teenager living amid the political upheaval of 1953 Tehran, finds a literary oasis in kindly Mr. Fakhri’s neighborhood stationery shop, stocked with books and pens and bottles of jewel-colored ink.
Then Mr. Fakhri, with a keen instinct for a budding romance, introduces Roya to his other favorite customer—handsome Bahman, who has a burning passion for justice and a love for Rumi’s poetry—and she loses her heart at once. Their romance blossoms, and the little stationery shop remains their favorite place in all of Tehran.
A few short months later, on the eve of their marriage, Roya agrees to meet Bahman at the town square when violence erupts—a result of the coup d’etat that forever changes their country’s future. In the chaos, Bahman never shows. For weeks, Roya tries desperately to contact him, but her efforts are fruitless. With a sorrowful heart, she moves on—to college in California, to another man, to a life in New England—until, more than sixty years later, an accident of fate leads her back to Bahman and offers her a chance to ask him the questions that have haunted her for more than half a century: Why did you leave? Where did you go? How is it that you were able to forget me?
Publisher : Gallery Books; Reprint edition (February 11, 2020)
Language : English
Paperback : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 1982107499
ISBN-13 : 978-1982107499
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 5.63 x 0.84 x 8.38 inches
Customers say
Customers find the story engaging, with well-crafted writing and vivid descriptions of Iranian culture, traditions, and cuisine. They find the characters engrossing and well-developed, with sympathetic villains. The book provides an educational and interesting read that keeps readers hooked from the beginning. Readers appreciate the historical context and relevance to modern times. The pacing is described as fluid and moving, drawing them in from the start.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
From the award-nominated author of Together Tea and The Lion Women of Tehran, a poignant, “powerful” (The Wall Street Journal) and “affecting novel about first love” (Real Simple) that explores loss, reconciliation, and the quirks of fate.
Roya, a dreamy, idealistic teenager living amid the political upheaval of 1953 Tehran, finds a literary oasis in kindly Mr. Fakhri’s neighborhood stationery shop, stocked with books and pens and bottles of jewel-colored ink.
Then Mr. Fakhri, with a keen instinct for a budding romance, introduces Roya to his other favorite customer—handsome Bahman, who has a burning passion for justice and a love for Rumi’s poetry—and she loses her heart at once. Their romance blossoms, and the little stationery shop remains their favorite place in all of Tehran.
A few short months later, on the eve of their marriage, Roya agrees to meet Bahman at the town square when violence erupts—a result of the coup d’etat that forever changes their country’s future. In the chaos, Bahman never shows. For weeks, Roya tries desperately to contact him, but her efforts are fruitless. With a sorrowful heart, she moves on—to college in California, to another man, to a life in New England—until, more than sixty years later, an accident of fate leads her back to Bahman and offers her a chance to ask him the questions that have haunted her for more than half a century: Why did you leave? Where did you go? How is it that you were able to forget me?
Publisher : Gallery Books; Reprint edition (February 11, 2020)
Language : English
Paperback : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 1982107499
ISBN-13 : 978-1982107499
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 5.63 x 0.84 x 8.38 inches
by Andrea
An intoxicating and rich story
Marjan Kamali has created a world so vivid, so filled with light and sound, so rife with emotions, so rich with the intoxicating scents and sights of Iran, that you want to live in its pages.1953, Tehran. Roya loves nothing better than to while away the hours in the local stationery shop run by Mr. Fakhri. The store, stocked with fountain pens, shiny ink bottles, and thick pads of writing paper, also carries translations of literature from all over the world. And when Mr. Fakhri introduces her to his other favorite customer — handsome Bahman, with his burning passion for justice and a shared love for Rumi’s poetry — Roya loses her heart at once. But around them, life in Tehran is changing.On the eve of their marriage, Roya heads to the town square to meet with Bahman. Suddenly, shockingly, violence erupts: a coup d’etat that forever changes their country’s future. Bahman never arrives.Roya must piece her life back together. Her parents, wanting her to be safe, enroll her in college in California, where she meets and marries another man. But, nearly sixty years later, an accident of fate finally brings her the answer she has always wanted to know – Why did you leave? Where did you go? How is it that you were able to forget me?As I first started reading, I was pulled into the beauty of this story initially through the words on the page and the idea of a romance. From there the plot and characters took me so much deeper into their world and culture. Therefore, as I delved further into the pages of this exquisite story, I began to learn so much more about Iranâs history during a tumultuous time, along with the politics and customs of the region.Not only was this story beautifully written, it was also filed with the savory tastes of Persian food. Whenever Kamali would write about Royaâs family cooking my mouth would water. She really has a way of making the each of the delicacies jump off the page, and had me looking up Persian recipes to try in my own kitchen.I cannot thank Kamali enough for creating the perfect ending to a timeless story. The ending was not rushed, it wasnât fake, it wasnât convoluted, and it wasnât cheesyâ¦It was moving, poignant and real. When I turned the last page and closed the book, I went to bed knowing I had read not only an amazing story, but that I had read a wonderful work of art.Overall, The Stationery Shop is not to be missed for fans of stories about families, cultural reads, delectable food, and historical fiction lovers like me who love all these other things, too. Get ready to read a powerful, emotional love story set on a strong historical backdrop.
by carriele1216
A Love Affair with Many Obstacles in the Way
Let me start by saying this is out of my typical reading genre. I got this book as a result of one of those Blind Date with a Book offerings and liked it so much that I bought another copy for a friend.This following section is basically a synopsis with no real spoilers, but if you’re someone who doesn’t read the inside of the jacket cover, you may want to skip this section.This story centers around a young boy and a girl (Bahman and Roya) who fall in love in 1953 Iran. The political turmoil is great. The threat of violence is ever present and it’s hard to know who is a spy and who is on the political side you favor. When the young couple meet in a stationary shop, it is instant attraction. Each Tuesday they continue to meet until Bahman asks Roya to marry him. Not everyone is pleased with this match however. Bahman’s mom, in particular, is vehemently opposed. Bahman, who is a political activist, needs to escape from the city and abruptly leaves. Roya knows little but she corresponds with him through letters hidden inside of books in the stationary shop. Bahman suggests they meet in the square and spontaneously get married. This never happens leaving Roya to always wonder why he stood her up that fateful day.This book is a surprising gem. I enjoyed so many things about it. I was pulled into Bahman and Roya’s love story. The idea of young love and knowing that there are so many obstacles that stand in the way of their happiness was attention grabbing and heartbreaking. Learning so much about the political climate of Iran in 1953 was quite interesting. Furthermore, all of the cultural elements that were included in the text rounded this book out nicely. I enjoyed reading about customs, traditions, the culinary practices, and how America may have been viewed by Iranians during that time in history.Kamali did a great job developing the characters. It was easy to love Roya as both a young girl and the woman she eventually becomes. I felt her loss and struggle along the way. On the other hand, certain characters were easy to dislike because of their actions. In some ways, this book is so well written that I felt like I was tagging along for Roya’s entire journey.Highly recommended!
by Sherry in Venice
My favorite book this year!
This was my first book by this author. I could not put it down. Herein lies the story of two young Iranian lovers separated by class, politics, vengefulness, and an aching heart that lasts through time and distance. It is also a story about how one broken hearted woman can make a contented and good family life in the U.S. and how her friendship and volunteering can save another family and bring a destroyed American vet to accept his own value. This novel was fulfilling on so many levels. I read it on Kindle but purchased the paperback to have and hold in my library. I look forward to reading this book again.
by SM
Great writing kept me interested through out the whole book.
by Tushar Gautam
The narration is inexplicably amazing.How emotions drive your actions and behavior not vice versa is explicitly explained.The sweetness of teenage love! ð
by Huda N
Interesting book. Loved the plot twist! Should definitely read more of this author.
by A R T
Great read, highly recommended if you like this genre.
by Manesh Kumar
Good book