The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

From the award-winning author of Together Tea—a debut novel hailed as “compassionate, funny, and wise” by Jill Davis, bestselling author of Girls’ Poker Night—comes a powerful love story exploring loss, reconciliation, and the quirks of fate.

Roya is a dreamy, idealistic teenager living in 1953 Tehran who, amidst the political upheaval of the time, finds a literary oasis in kindly Mr. Fakhri’s neighborhood book and stationery shop. She always feels safe in his dusty store, overflowing with fountain pens, shiny ink bottles, and thick pads of soft writing paper.

When 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—she loses her heart at once. And, as their romance blossoms, the modest 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, but suddenly, 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 resigns herself to never seeing him again.

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 he leave? Where did he go? How was he able to forget her?

The Stationery Shop is a beautiful and timely exploration of devastating loss, unbreakable family bonds, and the overwhelming power of love. 

My thoughts-

I love when I get a book in my hands that compels me from the first sentence. It doesn't happen often but when it does, I am moved throughout the book and there is a bit of sadness at finishing it. I loved The Stationery Shop. I think part of what drew me to it is my in laws grew up in Iran and in my mind since this book jumps to several different time periods, I imagine that these are lives that my husband's family could have lived. It is interesting to me to learn about other places and cultures, but especially ones that pertain to the family I moved into. I also just love a good romance, no matter how heartbreaking it is, and this one is definitely one for the books. I found myself devouring page after page to see where life would take Roya and if she would ever get any closure from her past. The ending wrapped it all up beautifully. I would love to see this book come to life in the movies in the same vein as Crazy Rich Asians, with an Iranian cast! I would be amazing and such a good movie! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoy contemporary fiction.