The Stationery Shop

By: Marjan Kamali

Narrated by: Mozhan Marnò

From the award-nominated author of Together Tea and The Lion Women of Tehran, a poignant, "powerful" (The Wall Street Journal) and "affecting novel about first love" (Real Simple) that explores loss, reconciliation, and the quirks of fate.

Roya, a dreamy, idealistic teenager living amid the political upheaval of 1953 Tehran, finds a literary oasis in kindly Mr. Fakhri’s neighborhood stationery shop, stocked with books and pens and bottles of jewel-colored ink.

Then Mr. Fakhri, with a keen instinct for a budding romance, introduces Roya to his other favorite customer—handsome Bahman, who has a burning passion for justice and a love for Rumi’s poetry—and she loses her heart at once. Their romance blossoms, and the little stationery shop remains their favorite place in all of Tehran.

A few short months later, on the eve of their marriage, Roya agrees to meet Bahman at the town square when violence erupts—a result of the coup d’etat that forever changes their country’s future. In the chaos, Bahman never shows. For weeks, Roya tries desperately to contact him, but her efforts are fruitless. With a sorrowful heart, she moves on—to college in California, to another man, to a life in New England—until, more than sixty years later, an accident of fate leads her back to Bahman and offers her a chance to ask him the questions that have haunted her for more than half a century: Why did you leave? Where did you go? How is it that you were able to forget me?

Critic reviews

"Mozhan Marnò gives an extraordinary narration of this audiobook, set mainly in 1950s Iran and the U.S. Raised by progressive Iranian parents, Roya meets Bahman, an activist student, at a Tehran stationery shop. They are planning to marry when Bahman mysteriously disappears. Roya moves to California where she studies science and marries the caring Walter. Sixty years later, Roya seeks answers to what happened to Bahman. Marnò's expressive narration reveals every nuance of Roya's emotional journey, as well as the complexity of loving her husband while mourning Bahman. Marnò slows the story when the moment demands that listeners take a breath to fully experience Roya's feelings. Sensitive portrayals of Roya's family and friends, and vivid descriptions of Iranian food and customs, add depth to this moving listen."

magnificent

it was lyrical and romantic without being sappy. I learned so much about Iran and the human heart. I especially loved the tension: a woman can be in love with two people fully.

Fantastic Read

I loved every page of this book and the many lessons of love, loyalty and family bonds!

Historical Fiction fans read this.

I did a mix of Audible and read “manually”. I never would have pronounced the names correctly. The author had just a very subtle accent that made the story telling more authentic somehow. A well told story with just enough hints and twists to engage the reader.

We both loved this book

on a long road trip, my husband and I were captivated by this book. I learned a lot about thre culture of Iran, told thru a beautiful love story of heartache and redemption.

Grabs from the get go

I loved this book and couldn’t stop listening. From the very first lines, I knew this was a well-written book, and I was not disappointed. The descriptions, the dialogue, the characters..... you won’t be disappointed.