“She thought of her words being placed inside the pages of a Persian poetry book, hugged by the verses of the ancients. Their love was safe there. In a way, it belonged there” (96).

My stomach was in knots the whole time I was reading because, like a Shakespearean star-crossed-lovers tragedy, you know that the pages are littered with such sad land mines, clandestinely hidden in each chapter only to lead us, the readers, and the tragically beautiful characters to an ill-fated end. You know it’ll end with sadness and regret and tears. And it did. Yes, there’s the American-optimism, the silver lining, the safe Walter, the one son. But what Roya and Bahman missed in the sixty-year gap was so much more lamentable than the brief amount of joy they had with one another for a few months at the Stationery Shop in unstable Tehran and a few hours at the Senior Center in cold, snowy New England. Yes, Roya lived a content life in America, but she missed out on a full, passionate life with Bahman. It’s just so—real. I wanted to remain in those brief moments in Mr. Fakhri’s Stationery Shop among the ideas and poetry and fictitious worlds, Roya and Bahman meeting covertly, covered and protected by the books surrounding them, the place that began and sustained their young love. The meetings at the bookshop and even the corresponding letters through the books were my favorites—and even though it’s not real life to stay there, I wished they could’ve remained in that shop forever, reading Rumi, backs pressed against the full shelves of possibility. ( )

This is a romance novel which shifts between Iran in 1953 and contemporary U.S. The author was born in Turkey to Iranian parents, and spent her childhood in Turkey, Iran, Germany, Kenya, and the U.S.

Roya meets political activist Bahman Aslan in Mr Fakhri’s bookshop. Over a summer of political turmoil during which the Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh is ousted by a coup, the two fall in love. The coup removes pro-democracy Mosaddegh in favour of the Shah and maintaining international oil control. A series of events drive the two young people apart only for them to meet up sixty years later searching for answers to their heartbreak.

This was a poignant romance which reminded me of Nicholas Spark’s The Notebook, although somewhat better written. The historical events are more of a backdrop than the main part of the story. There are some events which stretch plausibility and I find attributing nefarious motivations to mental illness somewhat sloppy writing. It’s quite OK to write a nasty, manipulative character without needing to give them a psychiatric label to excuse their actions. This was a pleasant enough read. 3.5 stars for me. ( )

I’m surprised The Stationary Shop of Tehran seems to be so positively received because I really did not like it. I like instalove! But instalove at 17 always seems to be about kids who are looking for something different in their lives. I felt that the writing was awful and immature (I have a special dislike for authors who put unimportant information in parentheses) and I honestly do not understand the point of the entire middle of the book – was it to show that Roya was doing just fine without Bahman or that she was deeply unhappy? We couldn’t tell because the author seemed to keep changing her mind about it. All we know for certain is Roya chose ‘boring and safe’ Arthur because he was opposite of Bahman - that a character that chooses a mediocre life does not make for an interesting novel. ( )

This unique story covers so many different kinds of Love in a beautiful way. Great characters and perspectives covering many decades but without feeling like an endless story. A great something different love read with the perfect amount of detail. ( )

The Stationery Shop, Marjan Kamali, author; Mozhan Marno, narrator
There are always unintended consequences, so the moral of this novel might be, be careful what you wish for. In a simple explanation, this book begins with the history of Iran, and the rebellion in the early 1950’s when people began to rise up against the rule of the Shah, who seemed to be enriching himself at their expense. They demanded more freedom, more opportunity and more equality. They wanted a new leader; they wanted a new government. Some wanted the Shah to resign to be replaced by the Prime Minister who had been duly elected, and who had promised more freedom and opportunity. There were also hints of some who wanted the exiled religious leader to return so they could establish a Theocracy, ruled by the tenets of Islam. The corruption of the ruling class had instigated protests and calls for change rang out.
It was at this time that Roya met Bahman in a Stationery/Book shop. Both of them were on the same side of the political divide. They were immediately attracted to each other, but were very shy, at first. Unbeknownst to the two of them, there was a very deep connection between the owner of the shop and Bahman’s mother, from her past life as a fruit seller in the market in Teheran. That connection would alter the trajectory of their lives.
As the relationship deepened, they made plans for their marriage, although still in their teens. It was customary, however, at that time, for marriages to be arranged so that suitable matches would take place that would advance the family standing. His parents had already arranged such a match for Bahman, and his mother vehemently objected to their relationship. She was also emotionally troubled and unable to cope well with being denied her wishes. During this time of chaos and protest, the government began to strike back against the protesters. The only person who knew of the devious plans to sabotage their wedding plans was murdered.
For the next several decades, Roya’s life is explored as she attempts to become a scientist to satisfy her father’s desires and attempts to recover from the loss of her one true love. She moves to America for her education and does eventually remain there, marrying a decent and good man. The reader watches the history of Iran play out alongside her history until she is deep into her 70’s in 2013.
The history of Iran’s degeneration into a country run by strict Islamic principles is revealed alongside the revelation of secrets, rebellion, forbidden romance, elitism and the class divide, the lack of women’s rights, and the history of a once thriving country. As the doomed love stories are revealed, the dreams of a more democratic and free country are dashed.
The history of Iran, from the early 1950’s, under the Shah’s rule, until the establishment of an Islamic government in the 1970’s, is explored in an almost outline form, without many details. However, a Theocracy is established that completely destroyed the original hope for more freedom. Instead, the country was ruled by religious principles that dictated the system of education, the environment, the laws, the dress, the treatment of women, the supremacy of men, and any other part of life religion could touch. The future was now marked by the opposite of a Democracy. So much for the hopes and dreams of the young. In a period of three decades, life changed dramatically.
As this novel covers the life of the two young teen lovers and the way the culture of the times impacted their lives, even until the early 2000’s from Iran to America, the reader watches, as slowly, many hopes and dreams were destroyed because of secrets, manipulation and deceitful behavior. Some of those who wanted a better life were able to adjust, either by adapting to the situation or by moving elsewhere. Patience and compromise, thoughtfulness and sincerity were paramount for succeeding in the world. The inability to deal with the reality on the ground, because of conflicting goals, led to disastrous consequences that affected all avenues of life. ( )