Book Review – The Stationary shop of Tehran

The Stationery Shop of Tehran is a novel by Marjan Kamali, published in 2019.

“The past was always there, lurking in the corners, winking at you when you thought you’d moved on, hanging on to your organs from the inside”

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Grief and sorrow manifest in countless ways, but the most common is losing what we hold dear due to cruel circumstances and fate. These losses can be people, places, or even emotions. Life goes on, but for some, the past remains shackled to their limbs, leaving their hearts perpetually heavy. The story of Roya and Bahman tells a tale of that very untold heaviness. It reveals the sublime moments hidden within tragedy—a whirlwind of emotions carved permanently into the reader's mind. Through characters placed in different times and phases of life, the book offers new perspectives on navigating grief.

The book is structured like a maze where the end is hinted at from the beginning. As you read, you find yourself piecing together the puzzle, chapter by chapter. The most beautiful part is watching Roya endure countless tragedies while still clinging to a glimmer of hope. Her character embodies the profound, lingering aftermath of loss with tremendous pensiveness. I also appreciated how the author justified each character’s actions by delving into their backstories, which kept me hooked and reflective about moving forward in life.

Some readers might find the nonlinear storytelling challenging. The narrative begins in the future and gradually unveils the past, with both timelines unfolding simultaneously. Around the middle, the story might feel somewhat idealistic, as if viewing life through rose-tinted glasses—but as you progress, the raw emotion and passion of the story will tug fiercely at your heartstrings.

This book authentically portrays how life transforms when a country is in turmoil. It shows how one mistake can become a turning point for thousands of interconnected lives—a powerful reflection of reality. The true meaning of enduring tragedy is illustrated through each character’s journey, and the essence of womanhood—of living fully and resiliently as a woman—shines through the female characters. You will undoubtedly finish this book with more than one takeaway.

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