The Stationery Shop

Explores grief, reconciliation, and the oddities of destiny in a sad, emotional new book from the award-nominated author of Together Tea, hailed by Shelf Awareness as "a powerful, heartbreaking story" and the Wall Street Journal as a "moving tale of lost love."

Amidst the political turmoil in 1953 Tehran, Roya, an idealistic and dreamy adolescent, discovers a haven of literature in the welcoming neighbourhood stationery store owned by Mr. Fakhri. The shop is filled with pens, books, and bottles of vibrant ink.

Roya immediately loses her heart when attractive Bahman, who has a deep love for Rumi's poetry and a burning desire for justice, is introduced to her by Mr. Fakhri, who has a good feeling about a blossoming relationship. The little stationery store continues to be their favourite spot in Tehran as their relationship deepens.

Only a few months later, on the day of their nuptials, Roya consents to meet Bahman in the town square when the coup d'etat that would permanently alter the future of their nation causes violence to break out. Bahman never appears in all the ruckus. Roya makes futile attempts to get in touch with him for weeks on end. She moves on, heartbroken, to a college in California, another man, and a life in New England. Eventually, after more than sixty years, a chance encounter brings her back to Bahman and gives her the opportunity to ask him the questions that have been bothering her for more than fifty years: Why did you leave? What happened to you? How did you manage to put me out of your mind?