"The Stationery Shop" by Marjan Kamali - Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles

About the Author: Marjan Kamali

Marjan Kamali is an Iranian-American author known for her works of historical and contemporary fiction that explore themes of love, family, and cultural identity. Here is an overview of her life and career:

Early Life and Education

Born: Marjan Kamali was born in Turkey to Iranian parents and grew up in several countries, including Kenya, Germany, and Iran, due to her father's work. She later moved to the United States, which provided her with a multicultural background that greatly influences her writing.
Education: Kamali holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of California, Berkeley. She also earned an MBA from Columbia University and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing from New York University.

Career and Publications

2013: Kamali published her debut novel, Together Tea. The story follows an Iranian-American woman who navigates the cultural divide between her traditional Iranian upbringing and her American life. The novel was well-received for its humorous and poignant exploration of immigrant experiences and mother-daughter relationships. Together Tea was also a Massachusetts Book Award finalist.
2019: Her second novel, The Stationery Shop, was released. This book, set against the backdrop of the 1953 coup in Iran, tells the story of a young couple separated by political upheaval and fate. The novel received widespread acclaim for its evocative portrayal of Iran's history and its deeply moving love story. It became a popular book club pick and was translated into multiple languages.

Themes and Style

Marjan Kamali's works often explore the complexities of immigration, cultural identity, and the interplay between personal and political histories. Her novels frequently feature strong, nuanced characters who grapple with displacement, belonging, and the power of memory.

Personal Life

Kamali currently lives in the Boston area, where she continues to write and engage with literary communities. Her diverse background and experiences in different cultures have shaped her storytelling, allowing her to provide a unique perspective on themes of love, loss, and cultural connection.

Impact and Recognition

Marjan Kamali is recognized for her contributions to contemporary literature, particularly in representing the Iranian-American experience. Her novels resonate with readers worldwide, offering insights into the immigrant journey and the enduring impact of historical events on individual lives.

Synopsis

A poignant, heartfelt new novel by the award-nominated author of Together Tea --extolled by the Wall Street Journal as a "moving tale of lost love" and by Shelf Awareness as "a powerful, heartbreaking story"--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?

Historical Timeline

The political upheaval in Tehran in 1953, known as the 1953 Iranian coup d'état or Operation Ajax, was a significant event in Iranian history involving the overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. Here's a timeline of the key events:

Pre-1953 Context

1941: Reza Shah Pahlavi, the ruler of Iran, was forced to abdicate by the Allies during World War II. His son, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, took the throne.
1951: Mohammad Mossadegh, a nationalist politician, was elected as Prime Minister of Iran. He advocated for the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry, which had been controlled by the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC).

1953 Timeline

Early 1953: Tensions increased between Mossadegh's government and the British government, which opposed the nationalization of the oil industry. Mossadegh's reforms, including the reduction of royal powers, strained his relationship with the Shah.
March 1953: The British government sought U.S. support to remove Mossadegh from power. Concerns about communism and Soviet influence in Iran during the Cold War made the U.S. more receptive to British appeals.
June 1953: The CIA and British intelligence (MI6) began to plan a coup to overthrow Mossadegh, known as "Operation Ajax." The goal was to restore the Shah's power and reverse the nationalization of the oil industry.
August 15, 1953: The first attempt to overthrow Mossadegh failed. Mossadegh became aware of the plot and arrested several of the conspirators. The Shah fled Iran for Italy.
August 19, 1953: The coup succeeded after a resurgence of protests and military intervention against Mossadegh. With the support of pro-Shah military forces and organized street demonstrations, Mossadegh was arrested, and the Shah was invited to return to Iran.

Aftermath

Post-August 1953: The Shah returned to Iran and regained control, establishing an increasingly authoritarian regime. Mossadegh was tried and sentenced to house arrest, where he remained until his death in 1967.
1954: The oil industry was denationalized and divided among a consortium of international companies, though Iran maintained a share of the profits.
Impact: The coup left a legacy of resentment toward the U.S. and Britain in Iran, setting the stage for future political and social unrest, including the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

The 1953 coup had far-reaching implications for Iran's domestic politics and U.S.-Iranian relations, shaping the country's modern history.

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Call Number: FICTION Buckhanon
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Call Number: FICTION Richman
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Call Number: FICTION Sparks
In a Southern nursing home, an 80-year-old man reads from his diary to his wife, suffering from Alzheimer's. It's the story of their teenage romance, followed by years of separation because he was from the wrong class, followed by her decision, on his return from World War II, to be her own woman and marry him.

*audiobook & e-book on Libby

Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: "The Stationery Shop" by Marjan Kamali