Reviews with content warning for Child death - The Stationery Shop

Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

133 reviews

devirnis's review against another edition

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emotional reflective

3.25

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emlittle's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This book was beautiful and heartbreaking and hurt me in a way I didn’t know a book could hurt me. I couldn’t adore it more. Roya’s worries at the beginning of the book feel too familiar: the polarization of politics at school, civil unrest, and uncertainty about the future. At one point, she assures herself America’s government would have nothing to do with overthrowing her own in Iran- that one felt like an extra kick in the stomach. Kamari tells a story through Iran’s coup in the 50’s that holds up a pretty relevant mirror.

The character work throughout the story is great; the main focus stays on Roya, but Kamari weaves a web of interconnectedness that feels so real. We get to see how different characters interact with each other and get insight into their personal histories. We get to see Roya change as she is touched by love, heartbreak, contentedness, and tragedy. You’re not just reading; Kamari ensures you’re LIVING Roya’s life.

I also really enjoyed the non-linear story telling. There are bits of the present intercut with long bouts of flashbacks and other people’s stories peppered in along the way. It feels so complete and there’s a satisfaction to the level of context you’re given- which makes the ending even more heartbreaking. I’m so glad to have gotten this book recommended to me.

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elybakouche's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Finishing this book, I was reminded of a quote from John Green's The Fault In Our Stars: "I fell in love like you fall asleep, slowly and then all at once."
This story was touching, sad, full of hope, and went across so many themes: love, family ties, mental health, immigration and cultural shock, grief, hope...

I can recommend listening to the audiobook, which was read with the correct Persian pronunciation/accent (at least from a non-Persian speaker's perspective).

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bookishcookiemonster's review

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

I really enjoyed the layers and complexity of the story.
Its more than just a love story. So beautiful, so heartbreaking ans yet also full of hope.

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sangsmiles's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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777elia's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

The writing style of this book was absolutely beautiful. The author could repeat the same details over and still add nuance and renew the same feelings I felt when first reading the event. I thought when the plot was revealed in the first chapter that this book wouldn't surprise me much but my god it did. Some moments were gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking and others filled with so much love. I couldn't put this book down it kept drawing me in. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a powerful love story that withstands the test of time.

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