The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali Summary
Overview of The Stationery Shop
In 1953 Tehran, two lovers are torn apart by political upheaval. Now HBO-bound, this 20-language bestseller explores fate's persistence across decades. What makes NPR's "Best of 2019" pick so haunting? Perhaps it's the stationery shop where destinies are written, then rewritten.
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Key takeaways
When History Rewrites Love Stories
Have you ever wondered how differently your life might have unfolded if a single moment had gone another way? In Tehran, 1953, seventeen-year-old Roya finds sanctuary in Mr. Fakhri's neighborhood stationery shop-a haven of poetry, crisp paper, and the intoxicating scent of ink. It's here she meets Bahman, a passionate young man whose political idealism matches her literary heart. Their Tuesday afternoon conversations among shelves of notebooks and fountain pens blossom into a love so profound it seems destined to last forever. But as their romance unfolds, so too does a national crisis. Prime Minister Mossadegh's democratic reforms clash with foreign interests, and the streets of Tehran simmer with tension. When Roya arrives at Sepah Square to marry Bahman on August 19, 1953, she instead witnesses the CIA-backed coup that will forever alter Iran's trajectory-and finds herself alone, her future suddenly unwritten.
Paper Promises and Jasmine Nights
The Ghosts We Inherit
When Nations and Hearts Collapse
The Truth in Altered Letters
Finding Home After Heartbreak
The Circle Closes
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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