Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

101 reviews

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 against another edition

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

sangsmiles's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Child death, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: War and Abortion

777elia's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and War

Moderate: Abortion, Sexual content, Blood, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Murder, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, and Violence

caitder's review against another edition

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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Child death, War, Suicide attempt, and Abortion

ecandrews0's review against another edition

emotional sad 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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Gun violence, Child death, Mental illness, Classism, Death, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, War, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Abortion, Vomit, Cancer, and Fire/Fire injury

mdavis26's review against another edition

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Self harm, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Car accident, Pregnancy, Child death, Death of parent, Death, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, Islamophobia, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness

areen's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

towards the end the story really takes shape and I realized this really wasn't about our mcs and their lovestory but

badri and fakhri's and how bc of their mistakes and decisions, our mcs had to go through the same "fate", except it really wasn't fate... sighs.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Grief, Classism, Police brutality, Misogyny, Sexism, and War

snailslowreader's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-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

3.25

While the novel was well plotted and the story had an ending that made sense for the narrative, I personally found it difficult to immerse myself in the story and in the characters. I have no problem with simplistic writing, but oftentimes Kamali's writing was too straightforward and left little room for the readers to form their own interpretations and observations. In particular, we learn little about the nuances of Roya and Bahman's personalities, and they can easily be summed up in one to two sentences. The story itself would work much better for something like a TV show with its jumping perspectives and dramatic events; I just didn't really like it as a novel.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Abortion

Minor: Child death and Grief

cielo's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Cancer, Classism, Mental illness, Chronic illness, Blood, Infertility, War, Death, Grief, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Self harm, and Suicide attempt