The Stationery Shop

This was raw and sad and stunning all together. Though it does fall under historical fiction/romance, the history aspect is not as explored as I thought it would be. That said, Roya is a great MC living in a distressing time, and the story follows her as she meets Bahman and the things she comes to terms with/asks years later. This story was emotional - not just because of the romance and characters - but because of the themes rooted in real time. Again, the history was not explored in depth like I expected, but that didn't necessarily massively disappoint me because it's still central to the plot and Roya/Bahman's relationship. If you want an emotional read that'll make you cry (as it did me), look no further, reader friends. This'll do it. Probably multiple times.

Loved it. My heart breaks for Roya and Bahman, loved the way it's written going back and forth in past and present, each character had their own complexities and stories. Great read if you're looking for a good heartbreak ❤️‍🩹

A heartbreaking and beautiful love story. “A love from which we never recover.”

I wanted to like this book, but I didn't. Feels like the author was writing this so it would be made into a movie.

2.5
So disappointed. This book, the characters, the world, and the style, didn't work for me. Roya is hollow, Walter is white bread, and Bahman is naive. I understand somewhat why Roya feels hollow/flat, I think that she serves as a mask for the reader to wear.
However, I think this story would have been much more interesting from almost anyone else's point of view, especially that of Jahangir, Bahman's best friend who was in love with Bahman.
I disliked the style, I believe the term is: Third-Person Objective and it felt weak to me.

I guess everyone in this book just keeps loving the person fully when the relationship doesn't work out, with the exception of Bahman's mother but she chooses to exploit her past flame, she went through a lot of trauma . To carry this level of dedicated love despite marriage and children with someone else unnerves me; I understand remembering an old love with fondness and perhaps some sadness, but this seemed like something much beyond: emotional cheating.
Also Roya lies to Walter about her romantic past, to me another kind of infidelity.

I was also disgusted by the physical relationship of 14 year old Bahman's mother and 18 year old Mr. Fakhri .

I was confused by Roya's father's repeated mentioning of Marie Curie and Helen Keller. I like both historical figures, but it seemed like the wrong context for them to be mentioned in. Curie -and her eldest daughter- was killed by the very thing she studied...they're actually a fascinating family...maybe just more background information. Keller was accused of plagiarism. And why didn't he -or his wife- give his daughters any examples of inspiring Iranian women? Simin Behbahani published poems in 1951.

I also could not believe that Roya's parents just accepted Bahman's proposal just like that. It was rather off putting for me.

SCREAMS OF PAIN AND ANGUISH

Roya lives in Tehran and loves books, pens and all things related to stationery. She reads whatever she can get her hands on and spends most of her days at the local stationery shop. One fateful day she meets Bahman. It's an instant and passionate love affair.

They become engaged but Bahman cannot wait for their wedding day. He writes to Roya and tells her to meet him at the square and they will go marry in secret. She waits and waits, and still he doesn't come.

Decades later, while living in America, Roya happens upon a stationery shop that reminds her of home and Bahman. She quickly learns it is run by his son and also learns that Bahman is close by. She has to know why he left her waiting all those years ago and get the closure she so desperately needs.

What a beautiful story of turmoil, deception, love lost, and the strength of the heart. I really enjoyed the historical background during Roya and Bahman's courtship. I couldn't imagine being so stinted in movement simply because you're a woman.

The love story and the letters were a beautiful addition to the story and I really enjoyed those parts. This is definitely one I would recommend.

Young Roya and Bahman meet by chance in a stationery shop in 1950s Tehran. Their connection is immediate and intense, but circumstances and life have other plans. Together, then apart, then together again, the story of their complicated feelings for each other spans a lifetime.

This didn't click with me as much as with others here, I've noticed. I think because it skewed more romance than historical fiction for my tastes? Unsure. It felt like the setting provided more window dressing and cultural context than anything historical or timely. Doe-eyed, naiive Roya irritated me a bit, especially once their engagement flounders and she spends months moping about. I also felt like Wilson got the short end of the stick in terms of character development. He dotes on Roya in the beginning of their relationship, and even later in their marriage he's clearly very fond of her, but on Roya's part it always felt like she was just tolerating him as a clearly second place choice.

If you like a really sweet romance story though, this will probably satisfy you. There's a lot to like about the writing and the descriptions (the food!), and I especially liked that the author chose to view their relationship across decades rather than at a “and they lived happily ever after” moment. Don't let my mediocre rating deter you if any of this appeals to you!

This book gave me some “The Notebook” vibes. I'm definitely not into the sad romance genre, but I liked this book. The melon girl moment was creepy though, ngl. I liked how it all wrapped up in the end. There were definitely some slow parts, but overall I enjoyed it.

During the political turmoil of 1953 in Tehran, Roya loves to visit the stationery shop of the gentle Mr. Fakhri. There she meets Bahman, and the two fall quickly in love. They plan to be married, but then Bahman mysteriously disappears, and the only way the two have to communicate is through letters delivered amid books by Mr. Fakhri. Then Bahman tells Roya to meet him in the town square so they can marry secretly, but violence breaks out in the square and the two do not meet. Both move on into other lives.

A story of love and political upheaval. The setting is a vivid depiction of the culture of Tehran; I think that's what I liked best about the book.

I enjoyed this book, and appreciated the fact it didn't have a fairy tale ending.

Or did it?

3.5 ⭐️
disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for review consideration. All of the opinions presented below are my own.

This was a solidly good book that I unfortunately just don't have a lot to say about. It really takes you through the gamut of emotions and tugs at the heartstrings. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested!