Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

72 reviews

marianaribeiro's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Abortion, and Death

simchareads's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This is a beautifully written historical romance! The story centers on two Persian teenagers from families with different socioeconomic and political ambitions, set in the backdrop of a politically volatile Iran in 1953.

I love the tropes of forbidden & impossible love, so this story was right up my alley! The Iranian government upheaval during the 1950’s (The struggles between an ancient monarchy transitioning to democracy, foreign governments trying to disrupt their democracy for personal trade interests, communism trying to regain power in the country, etc) were lighter aspects of the plot line, but still feel powerful in our modern era.

There were a few convenient vices to bridge storylines that were a bit “meh” for me. My main complaint is I felt

Bahman’s mom was a bit unfairly villainized, especially in the epilogue, when Mr. Fahkri was so involved in generational trauma & I would argue he had more power in the dynamic to end it.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Violence, Rape, War, Abortion, and Death

liamliayaum's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, War, Death, and Child death

Minor: Abortion

jsprenk's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Abortion, Child death, and Miscarriage

erinkellyreads's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

 Easily, this is in the running for best book of the year for me, if not best book of the last few years. The writing is stunning, the characters are complicated and nuanced, and the story is heartfelt and heartbreaking. If this isn't on your TBR, it should be. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Infertility, Mental illness, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Xenophobia, and Grief

Moderate: Mass/school shootings, Islamophobia, Abortion, Murder, and Gun violence

Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Cancer, and Pregnancy

saychall's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, War, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Sexism, Infertility, Police brutality, and Pregnancy

kailiyahknight's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death, Violence, Abortion, Gaslighting, Child death, Gun violence, Murder, Gore, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Blood, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Cancer, War, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Vomit, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

uhohzmia's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: War and Mental illness

emlittle's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, War, Blood, Death, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, and Child death

bookishcookiemonster's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Self harm, Mental illness, Mass/school shootings, Toxic relationship, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, and Abortion