This poignant novel takes readers on a journey spanning decades, from 1950 to 2022, exploring the lives of two girls whose friendship flourishes against the backdrop of a tumultuous Iran. The story begins with Elaheh (Ellie) and her mother being forced to leave their privileged life behind after the death of her father. Cast into poverty by Uncle Massoud, who controlled their finances, they move to a cramped, two-room home at the edge of the city. Stripped of wealth, servants, and her mother’s cherished possessions, Ellie’s new world feels like a far cry from the life she once knew.

Ellie’s mother, steeped in pride and superstition, refuses to work, clinging to the notion of her royal lineage. As Ellie watches other children play from her window, she dreams of having a friend to share her world. When school begins, she eagerly hopes to find the gentle, kind companion she’s envisioned. Instead, Ellie meets Homa—a lively, outspoken girl with a spark of mischief in her eyes. Homa quickly becomes Ellie’s best friend, defying all expectations. While Homa’s family warmly embraces Ellie, her own mother forbids Homa from entering their home, harboring prejudice and disdain. Despite these obstacles, the girls form an unshakable bond, dreaming of brighter futures together.

Homa’s dreams are bold and idealistic—she longs to fight for women’s rights and social change in Iran. Ellie, by contrast, wishes for a peaceful life filled with education, family, and love. But as the political landscape of Iran shifts dramatically with the fall of the Shah, both girls see their dreams collide with harsh realities.

Told through flashbacks, this deeply moving story captures the complexities of friendship, the resilience of women, and the cultural and political struggles in Iran. Marjan Kamali, the acclaimed author of The Stationery Shop, has crafted a compelling narrative rich in history, emotion, and timely themes. This five-star novel is a tribute to the courage and beauty of Iranian women—an unforgettable tale not to be missed.

Great writing, great story, great characters. I remember when all this was happening and the story really pulled at my heartstrings....but it was uplifting to know women are strong and will fight!

Interesting, inspiring story in a setting I’ve always been curious about. To imagine society changing so dramatically and not that long ago is difficult, so I was happy to read something from this perspective.

Ellie is told from an early age that she is a descendant of Iranian royalty. When her father dies unexpectedly she and her mother must leave their palatial home and move to the side of the city where the poorest families live. Ellie enters school and meets Homa, an outgoing girl that is full of life and energy. Although they are seven years old and from very different backgrounds, they form a bond of friendship that will be tested over time. This story follows Ellie and Homa’s lives but it isn’t only about female friendship. It’s about women’s rights, their hopes, their dreams, oppression of women and their commitment to fight for freedom. It describes the unrest, demonstrations, regime changes and political turmoil in Iran from the 1950s through present day. Definitely will be recommended to friends and family. This ARC was provided by Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I knew next to nothing about Iran prior to this book. I found the story both compelling and fascinating. We follow the story of two young girls who become friends at age 7 in Tehran. They are from different social classes but have strong bond that lasts a lifetime. The book follows their lives through their 70s, and it is both heart-breaking and heart-warming. Strong women, strong friendship.

“Waves begin their journey thousands of miles out at sea. They accumulate shape and power from winds and undersea currents for ages. And so, when you see the women in Iran screaming for their rights, please remember that the force and fury of our screams have been gathering power for years.” ― Marjan Kamali, The Lion Women of Tehran.

Marjan Kamali’s The Lion Women of Tehran is a breathtaking journey through three decades of friendship, betrayal, and redemption, set against the tumultuous backdrop of Iran’s political upheavals. Spanning from the 1950s to the 1980s, this poignant novel explores the unbreakable bond between Ellie and Homa, two young girls from vastly different backgrounds whose paths intertwine in both joy and heartbreak.

Ellie, a privileged child thrust into hardship after her father’s death, finds solace in Homa’s fiery spirit and warmth. Together, they dream of becoming “lion women,” brave and transformative figures. Life’s twists and political chaos challenge their friendship, especially as class divides and personal ambitions take hold. Homa becomes a passionate advocate for women’s rights, while Ellie struggles to reconcile her sheltered life with the surrounding injustices.

Kamali’s prose vividly brings Iran’s culture, food, and political history to life, while exploring the personal sacrifices and struggles of women during a repressive regime. The characters are deeply relatable, and the narrative expertly balances personal stories with larger societal issues, making it both intimate and impactful. 5/5 stars.

** Thanks to the publisher for a comp. The opinions are my own.

*The Lion Women of Tehran* by Marjan Kamali is a captivating historical fiction novel set in 1950s Tehran, focusing on the intertwined lives of two girls, Ellie and Homa. Kamali skillfully weaves a story of friendship, betrayal, and personal growth against Iran's political and social turmoil. The narrative begins with Ellie, a young girl from an affluent family, who forms a deep bond with Homa, a spirited and kind-hearted girl from a more modest background. Together, they dream of becoming “lion women,” symbolizing their aspirations for strength and independence.

As their paths diverge—Ellie’s family regaining their previous wealth and status while Homa remains in a more challenging position—their friendship faces the strains of time and circumstance. The novel beautifully portrays how early relationships shape us, exploring themes of loyalty, guilt, and the impact of past decisions. Kamali’s evocative prose brings the characters’ emotional journeys to life, making this a poignant and thought-provoking read.

The story’s emotional depth, set against the larger backdrop of Iran's political upheaval, captures both the personal and collective struggles of the time. It’s a powerful exploration of the bonds that define us and the complexities of forgiveness and redemption. *The Lion Women of Tehran* is a must-read for historical fiction fans, as it delves into personal relationships and the larger socio-political landscape.

Starting in Tehran in the 1950’s, we are introduced to Ellie and Homa as they meet at school and become best friends. They are just 7 years old and come from different social backgrounds. Ellie’s family was affluent but when her father dies, she and her mother are forced to live in more modest accommodations. Still, her mother continues to maintain her haughty attitudes, disapproving of those less fortunate, like Homa's family. Ellie’s mother remarries and returns to a life of more comfortable circumstances and enrolls her daughter in a better school, resulting in the friends being separated. During Ellie’s high school years, Homa suddenly re-appears as a fellow student at the same school. This leads to a renewal of their friendship.

During their teens, Iran becomes embroiled in controversy. The Shah has lost favor and a militant religious faction has taken over the country. Members of the communist leaning faction and those who supported the Shah are now both out of favor. Old beliefs rule the country, stripping women of their rights, resulting in the girls’ lives getting tossed upside down. Ellie had always yearned for the stability she found when visiting Homa’s family, but with the political unrest, her friend’s family is persecuted and suffering, like many others.

This is a book about friendship, the rich culture of the Iranian people, the turbulent years of civil strife in Iran, the changing rights of women under a repressive regime and the toll it takes on the lives of everyday people. It is powerful and moving; a novel that reveals the regression that can take place when a ruling party chooses to strip rights and the brave efforts of those who try to fight unjust rulers.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3

The subject matter of this book is so important and one we absolutely should be discussing in our current times, but the book's pacing was much too slow. I think the author should have made Homa the main character. She was way more compelling, and the couple of chapters we get from her POV felt more immediate and full of substance than all the long chapters with Ellie. I almost quit reading the book at exactly halfway through, because it felt like Ellie's story was just kind of meandering along. I stuck with it more to find out what happened to Homa than anything else. But because the focus was so much on Ellie, after finding out about Homa I actually skimmed most of the rest of the novel. I kept waiting for Ellie's Big Moment, but it never really came.

I also think the book should have been told in chronological order. Giving readers a one-chapter glimpse into the present day of the story and then proceeding with about 150 pages in the past just made the entire thing drag. Again, these are incredibly important issues and ones we're still fighting for today. But there were more challenges with the writing than there were positives.

I loved "The Stationary Shop", so I was thrilled to receive this ARC. The Lion Women of Tehran is a beautifully written story about the friendship of two girls that continues into adulthood. It's part coming-of-age and part historical fiction.
The story centers around Ellie and Homa, who meet and become friends in 1950, when they are 7 years old. The story primarily takes place in Iran and chronicles their lives growing up in political turmoil. It really does a beautiful job describing Iran, its culture, and its food.

The life of two young women in Tehran - the story shines with their innocent optimist outlook, their opportunities that carve their paths and fate the dictates their future.

Takes place from the early 50s to present in Iran. While this is a very political time, there is not much explanation, but definitely seen through the activities of the girls.

A well-written wonderful story that I will recommend to others.

Best book I have read in a while. Felt a bit like The Kite Runner in plot and order, but in a great way. Loved the female narrator and the perspective of women in a patriarchal society. Will stay with me for a while.

WOW!! If you're a book lover, you must read this regardless of whether you like Historical Fiction or not! It’s such a powerful story about a friendship between two girls that begins in the 1950s and spans decades, set against the backdrop of Iran's feminist protests and political unrest during the rise of a new regime. These girls must navigate betrayal and learn the art of forgiveness as they forge an unbreakable lifelong bond rooted in love. These women embody courage and resilience and are an inspiration.

Marjan Kamali's writing is truly captivating. She skillfully portrays a vibrant Tehran, rich with food, culture, language, and beautifully described locations. During a road trip, I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook and was thoroughly impressed by both narrators. Mozhan Navabi and Nikki Massoud brought the characters of Ellie and Homa to life with remarkable skill. Navabi conveyed Ellie's guilt-ridden consciousness, while Massoud portrayed Homa's courageous spirit. Their narration evoked a range of emotions, from laughter to cheers to tears. I’m sure people passing me on the road wondered what was happening in my car! 😂

Wonderfully written and perfect for book clubs! I will be recommending "The Lion Women of Tehran," to patrons who love historical fiction.

The Lion Women of Tehran tells the story of two best friends growing up together in Iran from the time they are 7 to the time they are in their 60s. Early on in their friendship, they declare they want to be lion women - strong, fierce, and impactful.

I loved early chapters, but felt the narrative started to slip away from the author and readers after the college chapters. Both Homa and Ellie stagnate in different and yet equally unexamined ways. In addition, the time jumps become erratic - setting up a major decision or turning point in one chapter only to skip over decades of their lives with little explanation of the outcome or fallout of that decision. While the characters were vivid in the beginning of the narrative, I found myself not recognizing them or feeling invested in their experiences by the end.

The Lion Women of Tehran does do a good job offering multiple perspectives of Tehran's recent political history and activism for better rights for women and, as such, will likely get a lot of well-deserved buzz. I hope it raises awareness and empathy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

Marjan Kamali can do no wrong in my eyes— a beautiful story of female friendship, family, and fighting for what you believe in. I just love her writing and characters, and reading about a time/setting that I don’t know much about. Also hits kind of close to home with current events in the US. Can’t wait to read her next!

The Stationery Shop is one of my favorite books so my hopes for The Lion Women of Tehran were pretty high. I love the way Marjan Kamali develops her stories and characters. I become immediately invested in each character’s story. I truly enjoyed this one and have been recommending to anyone who like historical fiction.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.

From the 1950's through the present, he lives of Ellie and Homa, 2 Iranian women, are featured.
It is a book steeped in history. The various transformation of the Iranian government is explored and explained against the background of the 2 girls' lives. The situations that bond and divide are so masterfully written.
The story is so powerful, How compelling it is to read about the impact of events that occur early in life and go on to affect whatever comes after. Probing and absorbing!

What a moving book about best friends that grow into women during a turbulent time in Tehran.

The politics and treatment of women in this book is very sad. So much of history is about people that have wealth and those that do not. When these two groups come together and work together is when great things can happen. Each of these girls have a life plan for themselves. Most of the time life plans developed in childhood do not work out completely.

This friendship is like most - sometimes they are very close and then life happens and they grow apart until something brings them back together. This book went into great detail about parts of their life, but later in the book there is very little detail. I wish that there had been more detail later in the book.

A heartbreaking story of sisterhood and friendship, and the rifts that privilege and poverty can create. A poignant of how the relationship between two childhood friends grows and evolves over several decades, with the politics, violence and turmoil of Iran ever-present. Highly recommend. Would also highly recommend for young adult readers.