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The Stationery Shop of Tehran
The Stationery Shop of Tehran | Marjan Kamali
11 posts | 8 read | 10 to read
1953, Tehran. Roya loves nothing better than to while away the hours in the local stationery shop run by Mr. Fakhri. The store, stocked with fountain pens, shiny ink bottles, and thick pads of writing paper, also carries translations of literature from all over the world. And when Mr. Fakhri introduces her to his other favorite customer -- handsome Bahman, with his burning passion for justice and a shared love for Rumi's poetry -- Roya loses her heart at once. But around them, life in Tehran is changing. On the eve of their marriage, Roya heads to the town square to meet with Bahman. Suddenly, shockingly, violence erupts: a coup d'etat that forever changes their country's future. Bahman never arrives. Roya must piece her life back together. Her parents, wanting her to be safe, enroll her in college in California, where she meets and marries another man. But, nearly sixty years later, an accident of fate finally brings her the answer she has always wanted to know - Why did you leave? Where did you go? How is it that you were able to forget me? Marjan Kamali's beautiful novel, set in a country poised for democracy but destroyed by political upheaval, explores issues that have never been more timely, of immigration and cultural assimilation, of the quirks of fate. And its ending will break readers' hearts.
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Veebee
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Pickpick

A sweet and emotive love story set in the background of Iran's political upheavals of 1953 and 1979. It has interesting references to Persian culture, especially the poetry, food and Nowruz celebrations.

8 likes1 stack add
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Michellesibs
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Pickpick

Set in the early fifties we see Tehran through the eyes of two seventeen year olds on the cusp of starting a new chapter in their lives. They are thinking of universities, careers. All the while falling in love, while their country falls apart.

As always, where there is oil you will find us Brits muddying the waters for our own political gain. Another decade, another country, same old story.

Overall I enjoyed this.

45 likes2 stack adds
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BarbaraBB
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Mehso-so

I have no idea why I bought this book but I am glad it‘s off my shelves! It‘s a romance between two young people, against Persia‘s turbulent political background in the second half of the 20th century.
It‘s okay, but the author explains everything, I‘d preferred it when I could have used my own brain and imagination but there was no need to.

#ATY24 - Main character is BIPOC #pop24 - Travel destination, not right now though…

rubyslippersreads I love stationery stores, so I probably would have bought it for the title. 😆 9mo
BarbaraBB @rubyslippersreads Me too! And I am intrigued by Tehran so you‘re probably right that I bought it for its title! (edited) 9mo
84 likes2 comments
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under.a.pile.of.books
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Such a soulful read! 😇

Meghan1 Welcome to Litsy! This one sounds so good! I will have to check it out. 4y
under.a.pile.of.books Thank you!! It's definitely a good read, do give it a try 😊 4y
BookwormAHN Welcome to Litsy 😺 4y
See All 10 Comments
under.a.pile.of.books Thank you! 😊 4y
rather_be_reading welcome to litsy 📚☕📚 #litsywelcomewagon 4y
under.a.pile.of.books Thank you! 🙂 4y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🥳📚🌼 4y
under.a.pile.of.books Thank you! 🙂 4y
tpixie Welcome! 4y
Bookishlie Welcome!! 3y
25 likes4 stack adds10 comments
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Monicad
Pickpick

Not a very quick read even though not a thick book... But I did enjoy it. Interesting insight into life in Iran in the 50's when women did not have to wear a hijab in public. A bit of a love story but with its own twists

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Cazxxx
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Cazxxx
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Next to read on kindle

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Cindyelizavaz
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In time for my #asianlit #bookdiscussion!
Sorry Litsy Lovelies, work has taken hold of my life the past two months! I am back and looking forward to more bookish adventures. ❤️

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emmaturi
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Pickpick

This is a lovely but sad story, set in Tehran and America. Beginning in Tehran in 1953 tells the story of Roya and Bahman. It is during the Iranian Coup where they fall in love. I have been enjoying the historical books I have read lately. Learning a bit of history of each place! #historicalfiction

30 likes1 stack add
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emmaturi
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This will be my next read. I haven't ever read a book set in Iran. It sounds good. And my in glass is a gin&tonic! #tbr

BarbaraBB Looks perfect! I have this book TBR too. 5y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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CourtSmall
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Pickpick

60-2019⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I originally picked this up as I liked the cover, and WOW was I pleasantly surprised. This is a love story spanning 60 years starting in Tehran in the middle of political unrest in 1953.