The Stationery Shop Of Tehran

The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamali is a deeply emotional and beautifully crafted novel that explores love, loss, and the lasting impact of choices made in youth. Set across decades and continents, the story begins in 1953 Tehran and follows the life of Roya, a young girl whose world changes forever after she falls in love. At the heart of the novel is a timeless love story between Roya and Bahman, who meet in a cozy stationery shop filled with books and poetry. Their romance blossoms quickly, but political unrest during the 1953 coup separates them in a heartbreaking way. What follows is a life shaped by unanswered questions, missed chances, and emotional scars that never fully fade. One of the most powerful aspects of the book is how it blends personal emotions with historical events. The political tension in Iran is not just a backdrop—it directly affects the characters’ lives and decisions, showing how history can shape individual destinies. The novel also explores themes of memory, regret, and reconciliation. As Roya grows older, she carries the pain of her past while building a new life. Decades later, when she finally gets a chance to confront what really happened, the story delivers a deeply satisfying emotional payoff. What makes this book a great read is its simple yet poetic writing style. The descriptions of Tehran, the warmth of the stationery shop, and the emotional depth of the characters make the story feel vivid and real. The cultural details and relationships add authenticity and richness to the narrative. Overall, The Stationery Shop of Tehran is a touching and unforgettable novel. It reminds readers that first love can leave a lifelong mark—and that sometimes, understanding the past is the only way to find peace.

‘The Stationery Shop of Tehran’, with its vivid description, captivating narration, strong characters and varied, heartfelt emotions, transported me to the streets of Iran, to the times of turmoil and unrest amidst which a beautiful love story took shape. Everything comes alive under the vivid imagination of the author. From the ancient bazaars, vendors, schools, small shops, sibling love, unrest, demonstrations to the stationery shop in Tehran, delicately unfolds an innocent love story. The author has a solid grip on emotions and not once she disappoints us. The love between Roya and Bahman is passionate but their destiny leads them onto a heartbreaking path. The story is about regret and loss, love and grief amidst political unrest. Roya and Bahman’s destiny is as chaotic as that of Iran.

Of friendship,of Love, Of Life. - A Review of the Stationery Shop of Tehran by John Green in the Fault of Stars quite accurately wrote that - “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” The Stationery Shop of Tehran is one such book which I will recommend to every single person, weather a bibliophile or not. The story is set in 1953, Tehran, Iran which is at the helm of a political outrage. It is in this Tehran that a 17 year old Roya meets Bahman in a Stationery Shop. In the midst of the books they love, they fall in love, get engaged and are all set to get married in the summer that follows. But alas, all hope of a bright future is darkened by the disappearance of Batman and the simultaneous coup in Iran. Roya, heartbroken moves to the US with her sister and meets Walter and starts a new life with him with the void created by Bahman’s absence carried deep within her heart. This story spans for over 60 years and is a story of Roya, Bahman, Walter, Zara, Ali, Badri. It is a story of Iran, its food, its people, its hospitality. It’s a story of Roya, Bahman, Walter, Zara, Ali, Badri. It’s a story of a war torn nation which is finding its heart. It is a story of love, friendship, relationships, sisterhood, trauma, betrayal, happiness, grief, loss and closure. It is a story which signifies how you don’t meet anyone you love halfway at any place. They are within each other all along. The statement that I loved the novel is an understatement. I have cried non- stop and I have smiled non - stop. This novel is like a strong ginger tea on a rainy day, provides you with warmth while devouring it, but stays with you long after you have consumed it. Roya, Bahman, Walter. They made me believe in the positivity and non toxicity of true love. It is just so simple. The language is descriptive and the vocabulary is beautiful and the character building is wonderful. I learned so much about the Irani culture and the similarities in the Indian and Irani food and hospitality culture fascinated me the most. The author has done a commendable job and her passion, her integrity can be reflected through Roya and Bahman’s story. My dear friends, please do yourself a favour and read this book. You will not regret it.

I am officially an emotional wreck! 😭 This story is so much more than just a romance; it’s a love letter to a lost version of Tehran and a heartbreaking look at how politics and fate can tear lives apart in a single afternoon. 🕰️✨ ​The story begins in 1953, in a cozy little stationery shop owned by the kind Mr. Fakhri. This shop is an absolute dream—filled with the scent of old paper, bottles of shimmering ink, and the greatest works of Persian poetry. 📖🖋️ This is where Roya and Bahman fall in love, and their connection feels so pure and inevitable. But then, the coup happens, the world shifts, and they are separated by a tragic twist of fate that kept me turning pages late into the night. 🕯️🌬️ ​What really got me was the "sixty years later" perspective. Seeing Roya as an elderly woman, still carrying the weight of that one missing day, was so incredibly poignant. It makes you think about all the "what ifs" in your own life. the writing is lush and sensory—I could almost taste the saffron and feel the heat of the Tehran summer. 🥘☀️ Why this book will touch your soul: ​The Setting: The descriptions of Tehran are so vivid; you feel like you're walking through the markets yourself. 🕌✨ ​The Mystery: You spend the whole book wondering why Bahman never showed up, and the reveal is just gut-wrenching. ✉️🚫 ​The Food: Warning: Do not read this while hungry! The descriptions of Persian cuisine are mouth-watering. 🍚🍛 It’s a story about the endurance of love, the pain of silence, and the way the universe sometimes brings us closure in the most unexpected ways. It’s nostalgic, tragic, and deeply healing all at once. 🍂🩹

The first read of 2026 was this heartwarming yet heartbreaking story of love, loss, grief and learning to live through it all. A story of love that seeps through your bones and doesn’t leave you even if you wish to move forward. One that gives you the courage to carry on even when the going gets tough. This is a story that is told across different decades, timelines, countries and cultures. Not everything in life is in our control, sometimes the strings are pulled by someone else and we are mere puppets. For anyone who wants to know about Iran, its culture and history, I would definitely recommend this book!!! #thestationaryshopoftehran #2026reads

The Stationery Shop of Tehran had the potential to be a deeply moving and layered story, but it ultimately fell short for me. The plot felt somewhat predictable, which lessened the emotional impact of the narrative. I also found the characters lacking depth; they never quite developed the complexity or nuance needed to make their journeys fully engaging. While the book carries moments of charm, it misses the richness and resonance that define a truly compelling novel. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but it could have been much stronger with more intricate character development and a less foreseeable storyline.

The Stationery Shop of Tehran is a touching and memorable novel about love, destiny, and the impact of historical events on personal lives. With its charming setting and heartfelt story, it is a book that stays with the reader long after the final page.

After *Rooftops of Tehran* by Mahbod Seraji, I didn’t think I could find a better book, being a fiction reader only. But Kamali’s novel proved me wrong in the most wonderful way. *The Stationery Shop of Tehran* has the rare ability to transport the reader to the streets of Iran — so vivid are the descriptions, so heartfelt are the emotions. I was captivated by the story of Roya and Bahman — their love, their struggles, their dreams, and the bittersweet turns their lives take. Kamali masterfully captures both the personal and the political, set against a backdrop of historical upheaval. It was hard for me to put the book down for even a moment. The story of Roya and Bahman is one that stays with you long after you close the book. Their innocent, youthful romance unfolds in the cozy warmth of Mr. Fakhri’s stationery shop, which becomes a symbol of hope and refuge. One of the lines that touched me deeply was: “A good bookstore is like an anchor in a storm.” This simple yet powerful metaphor reflects how that little shop sheltered not just books, but dreams and promises of a better tomorrow. Kamali’s writing shines in the way it captures moments both tender and tragic. She doesn’t glamorize love or suffering — instead, she paints them in honest, often heartbreaking strokes. As Roya reflects on her life, we are reminded: “Love is not about what you feel. It’s about what you do.” It is a fantastic novel that draws its power from authenticity, subtlety, and emotional depth. A must-read for anyone who enjoys fiction that touches the soul and lingers long after the final page.

Lovely book! Easy read but were touching

Bellissimo libro che ricorda che anche l’amore non vissuto, se è vero, dura per sempre

one of my favourite books!

It’s 1953 in Tehran, the streets are filled with protestors and all sorts of commotion. Roya, a young lady finds solace in a stationery shop which is also a bookshop with translated literature, love finds her right there in the midst of the poems she loves to read. Bahman, the boy who will change the world, an activist and a book lover is captivated by Roya from the moment he sets his mind on her. Their lives are separated by class but brought together by their passion for justice. Will this last? Will they change the world together? Who is rooting for them or willing to tear them apart and why? Other themes explored include education, mental health, love, loss and family All the characters in this book are well developed, there is no wasted character, they way their lives intertwine is amazing, the build up suspenseful. The writing is accessible and beautiful. Heartbreaking and heart warming in equal measure. A great read.

Not finished reading the book but it has me captivated. I'm loving every page and the turns and twists of the story.