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katonthejellicoe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
this book was filled with melancholy, nostalgia, and love that could never be forgotten. i didn't cry (tho i was certain i would) but it caused a pang of pain on my chest for so many reasons.
(thirteen hours after i've read this book...)
this was perfectly written — from the characters and their complex personalities and dynamics to the atmospheric setting to its seamless timeline. it was accessible yet poetic in its own way. the historical and romance aspects of it intertwined smoothly with one another which made it a well-balanced novel.
objectively, this is a five-star book. it was probably the best historical fiction i've read in a while. but as you all know, i NEED to cry in books (lols). hence, from personal experience, it wasn't a favorite but it was almost there. in numbers, this may very well be a 4.95 out of 5 stars.
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, and Police brutality
Minor: Child death, Death, and Abortion
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- 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
“The Stationary Shop” follows a woman named Roya throughout the majority of her life. As a teenager, she seeks refuge from her war torn country in Mr. Fakhri’s stationary shop. One afternoon, she meets Bahman and they instantly bond over their love for Rumi. When they are driven apart, they continue to communicate via letters they leave each other in books in the stationary shop. Unfortunately, on the day they are set to reunite disaster strikes, and they never hear from one another again. Now, decades later, Roya is living her life in America with her loving husband and now grown children. She is quietly content, until she learns that Bahman is not too far from her. Will she finally be able to get the answers from him that she needs?
This book will simultaneously break your heart and make you believe in love again. Roya and Bahman’s love is so pure and you want with all of your soul for them to be together. You are enraged at their circumstance and heartbroken to read about their country falling apart. I really loved seeing them profess their love, adoration, and hope for one another through letters. Writing is slowly becoming a last art and seeing a love story play out in this way was incredible.
The writing itself in this novel is beautiful. Marjan Kamali is an immensely talented author. Once I started this book, I devoured it within 24 hours because I needed to see Roya and Bahman have their redemption as well as I was continually in awe of the prose.
I also really enjoyed reading about the politics of Tehran in such an approachable way. There is so much turmoil that occurred in this country and it was interesting as a reader to see the revolution that was brewing in 1953, but not have it take away for the story. The discussions about the corrupt leadership and violence told through an innocent citizen’s life were humbling.
Marjan Kamali has quickly become a new favorite author and I look forward to reading more of their books in the future.
Graphic: Police brutality, Toxic relationship, Death, War, Violence, and Grief
spellygirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, and War
Moderate: Abortion, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness
sydneywhite's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Abortion, Child abuse, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual assault and Blood
Minor: Chronic illness
schausjk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Police brutality, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Gore, Mass/school shootings, War, Violence, Abortion, Sexism, Colonisation, Police brutality, and Racism
Minor: Pregnancy, Infertility, Blood, and Cancer
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
it was so enlightening on the tribulations many Iranian people faced during that time. i felt my heart break when the characters faced grief and loss.
i would recommend this 1000%, please just check trigger warnings!!!
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Child death, Colonisation, Infertility, Medical content, Death, Chronic illness, Classism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Self harm, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Blood, Abandonment, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Police brutality, Vomit, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
bhopeu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
"I haven't stopped thinking about you. What I'm trying to say, Roya Joon, is that I have not stopped thinking about you since that day in the square." AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
"But the biggest loss for me? It was losing you. Nothing in my life has been more painful. I've thought about you constantly for sixty years."
This is THE love story.
Graphic: Abortion, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Suicide attempt
chaoticnostalgia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Violence, Gun violence, Grief, Child death, Abortion, Death, Classism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexism, and Infertility
Minor: War, Dementia, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
agiali's review against another edition
5.0
I want to sue Marjan Kamali solely for the cause of my emotional distress.
I did not expect to love this as much as I do. I originally heard of this book years ago but figured it wouldn't be for me as it has a very historical setting. I am so upset at my 16-year-old self for not reading this sooner as I am so incredibly unwell but also so thankful that I got to read this work of art. Not only did this book tick me off but it made me fall in love, want to fight people, and then, as we know, I ✨ cried ✨ <i>The Stationery Shop</i> also shocked me many times with the twists I did not see coming.
This is such a beautiful book, but please check the content warnings because it is FULL of them. This reminded me mildly of the book <i>Alone With You in the Ether</i> by Olivie Blake, but only because it really asked a lot of questions that would ultimately hurt my heart to answer.
I love Bahman and I will not shut up about him and Roya :')
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Police brutality, Gun violence, and Cancer
emma_thornton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death, Child death, and Miscarriage