Marjan Kamali's writing delves into the complexities of human connection and cultural identity, weaving narratives rich with both poignant melancholy and enduring hope. Her prose is lyrical and evocative, crafting atmospheric worlds that resonate deeply with readers. Kamali explores universal themes of love, loss, and the search for belonging with profound insight into the human condition. Her distinctive voice captures the nuances of emotion and tradition, making her a compelling storyteller.
Set in 1950s Tehran, this poignant novel follows Ellie, a girl facing loss and loneliness, who finds friendship with the spirited Homa. Their bond is tested by social changes and personal betrayals as they navigate their ambitions amidst Iran's political turmoil. A tale of love, courage, and redemption unfolds beautifully.
A poignant, heartfelt new novel by the award-nominated author of Together Tea 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?
Darya believes she has found the perfect husband for her daughter Mina's twenty-fifth birthday, but Mina is frustrated with her mother's relentless matchmaking efforts and evaluations of potential suitors. The story explores the tension between traditional expectations and modern independence, highlighting the challenges of cultural identity and familial pressure in the context of marriage.