A touching and sincere novel by the acclaimed author of Together Tea—a work praised by the Wall Street Journal as a “heartrending tale of love lost” and hailed by Shelf Awareness as “a compelling narrative of sorrow”—explores themes of grief, reconciliation, and the capriciousness of destiny.
Roya, an imaginative and idealistic adolescent navigating the tumultuous political landscape of 1953 Tehran, discovers solace in the welcoming ambiance of Mr. Fakhri’s quaint neighborhood stationery shop, replete with shelves of books, arrays of pens, and vials of vibrant ink.
Under Mr. Fakhri’s watchful eye, Roya encounters Bahman, a dashing individual with a fervent commitment to justice and an adoration for Rumi’s poetry. Their connection is immediate, and the stationery shop becomes the sanctuary where their love flourishes amidst the chaos of Tehran.
Yet, mere months before their intended union, as the city erupts in turmoil following a coup d’état that alters the course of their nation’s history, Bahman fails to appear at their appointed meeting place in the town square. Despite Roya’s relentless attempts to reach him, she is met with silence. With a heavy heart, she forges ahead—embarking on a journey to college in California, embracing a new romance, and ultimately settling into a life in New England.
Decades pass, and a twist of fate reunites Roya and Bahman after more than sixty years, offering her an opportunity to confront the unanswered questions that have lingered in her heart for half a century: Why did you leave? Where did you vanish to? How could you forget me?
