Pages: 336
Genre: Historical Romance Fiction
Synopsis:
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?
Comments (1)
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I really liked this book. I appreciated the historical aspect of it and the fictional love story. I wouldn’t say that this was a particularly gripping love story, but it did move the storyline along and was still enjoyable to read. There were sad and emotional parts, but the conclusion really ended beautifully (not necessarily happy) and gave the reader and characters closure. I loved when Roya was at Bahman’s funeral and wanted to connect with those people that knew him all those years they weren’t connected. In that sadness, Roya was seeking connection, not isolation from others. I loved the whimsical descriptions of the bookstore that Mr. Fakhri owned and operated, and I honestly was devastated when he was killed. Overall, this book was easy to read. I wouldn’t say it was full of cliff hangers that made me want to read the book in a day, but it was a quick read for me that I enjoyed.