Readers who cherish poignant love stories set against a backdrop of political turmoil will relish The Stationery Shop of Tehran. Fans of Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns or Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale will find similar depth in this evocative tale of love, loss, and resilience in 1950s Iran.

The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali is praised for its evocative portrayal of 1950s Tehran and the emotional depth of its characters. Readers appreciate Kamali's lyrical prose and the poignant love story. However, some find the later plot developments predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, it is a heartfelt and nostalgic novel that bridges past and present effectively.

The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali follows the love story of Roya and Bahman, a young Iranian couple who meet in a stationery shop in 1953 Tehran and plan to marry. However, an apparent misunderstanding separates them. Decades later, a chance reunion in the United States gives them the opportunity to confront and reconcile with the past. The novel explores love, memory, loss, and the intersection of the personal and political.

The novel contains references to miscarriage, the death of a child, and death by suicide.

Bittersweet / Romantic / Nostalgic / Emotional / Melancholic

- The Stationery Shop of Tehran was named one of the best books of 2019 by NPR and received praise for its vivid depiction of 1950s Tehran.
- The novel explores themes of love, loss, and cultural identity, transporting readers into a richly detailed setting that juxtaposes the personal lives of its characters with historical events.
- Author Marjan Kamali was inspired by her own experiences of displacement and nostalgia, having lived in several countries, which influences the novel's deep sense of place and yearning.

Marjan Kamali

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

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The Stationery Shop of Tehran Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-6

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Part 1, Chapters 1-6 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 7-13

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Part 1, Chapters 7-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 14-16

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Part 2, Chapters 14-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 17-20

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Part 3, Chapters 17-20 Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapters 21-22

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Part 4, Chapters 21-22 Summary & Analysis

Part 5, Chapter 23-Epilogue

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Part 5, Chapter 23-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Character Analysis

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Themes

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Essay Topics

The Stationery Shop of Tehran

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Who Should Read The Stationery Shop of Tehran?

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