The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

Gallery Books
June 18, 2019
Fiction, GoodReads, hardcover

I received a copy of this hardcover final book to review from GoodReads Giveaway and publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. I just received this book today, June 24, 2019.
Wow. I need time to formulate an appropriate review of this remarkable, touching story of family, love and resilience.

The story is well-written and organized making it easy to follow he timeline and characters. Those who read my reviews will note that I rarely provide 5 stars anymore as I tend to reserve for books such as this one. It moved me, educated me and piqued my interest in learning more about the historical aspects.

The Stationery Shop begins in 2013, Roya Archer is preparing to visit her first love in the Duxton Senior Center. Roya still needs some resolution of past events when she was left waiting for Bahman Aslan in the square as agreed. She is now 77 years old, living in Massachusetts and married to Walter Archer who has always been a pillar of stability, logic and reason for her since she moved to USA 50 years ago. She was born and raised in Teran with her parents and younger sister, Zari during political turmoil.

I was delighted to read another novel with characters of Middle Eastern decent. The only history of which I learned was mostly from news and media living during the years following substantial political uprising in Iran. I read more information regarding the events in this novel which helped my understanding of the consequential government which ultimately prevailed. Similarly, it was interesting to learn of the United States involvement during this time which coincidentally had been classified information until about 2013. It provides insight into the present day political relations between the two countries. The internet has many articles regarding the declassified documents of the CIA involvement with Iranian Coup to overthrow the country's prime minister Mohammad Mossadegh.

In 1953, the Democratically elected Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mossadegh governed with many supporters hopeful for the future of Iran. It was about 1930 when Reza Shah advocated women’s rights, allowing in 1930 a "no-veil" policy which allowed women to abandon their hijab. The political atmosphere was filled with tension and fear as many felt the country separate into those whose supported the prime minister and those who agreed that an alliance with communist Russian seemed best. There were many protest rallies from both sides and propaganda being circulated supporting each perspective.

Roya Khanom was a petite 17 year old who wore her long black curly hair in braids while her sister, Zari would wrap newspaper each night to make her hair wavy. Their father worked as a government clerk and Pro-Mossadegh which seemed to be the less favorable political view at the time. Communist propaganda had made its way into the private schools the girls attended contributing to the general discomfort of many.

The Stationery Shop which was across from the school and opposite the Russian Embassy, became a refuge for Roya. She enjoyed reading a variety of authors including Hemingway, Dostoyevsky and Persian writers Rumi, Hafez and Saadi. This shop is owned by Mr. Fakhri who seemed to be a book expert and always attentive to his customers. It was one Tuesday that Roya became aware of Bahman Aslan who always seemed to be in a hurry. He was known as the kid who wanted to change the world. It isn't long before he notices Roya on his weekly visits and stops to talk with her. Over time, the two would get to know each other and have many discussions in the shop.

Look at love
How it tangles
With the one fallen in love

Look at spirit
How it fuses with earth
Giving it new life
—— Rumi

Bahman and Roya become inseparable and attempt to navigate the traditions and customs of their country as they develop a romantic relationship. It was interesting to read about the preparations for the Persian New Year celebrations. The daily rituals and cuisine were also something with which I was fascinated.

This is a wonderfully crafted love story amidst the chaos of political upheaval in Iran. It tells the story of families and commitments to tradition which ultimately prevail. It also reveals the personal decisions people make and their repercussions over the years. Roya and Bahman eventually attempt to unravel the painful family secrets kept from them. Are they able to resolve the heartbreak that separated them the day before they were to be married 60 years ago? How do they come to terms with the lives they were resigned to forge abandoning their plans for the future?










View all my reviews