The Rug Merchant — Meg Mullins

In New York, far from his native Iran, Ushman has worked hard to build a clientele for his wares: exquisite handwoven rugs from his home city of Tabriz. With perfect rectitude, he caters to his wealthy clients. But when he learns that his wife is leaving him for another man, Ushman's life, shaped by the traditions of a conservative culture, is shattered and his loneliness profound. Unexpectedly, he embarks on an improbable and powerful romance with Stella, a college student who is isolated in her own way. Together this American girl from the deep South and the cultured Iranian aesthete form a tender bond that awakens them both to the possibility of joy in a world full of tragedy.