A HUGE thank you to Net Galley. Gallery Books and author, Marjan Kamali for the opportunity to read The Lion Women of Tehran. I LOVED this amazing story and finely developed characters. This is a heart wrenching account of unconditional friendship of two very different yet so similar girls, young women and adults-their entire lifespan. Strong women, like lions, who are fiercely loyal and loving grow up in unstable Iran. Many heart breaking events occur. I felt like I was directly with the girls as they were growing up and living with them as they traveled through their lives. I remember these historical events but this story opened my eyes in a different way. I will definitely read more from this author.

This story was such a beautiful, haunting, and impactful read. I fell in love with Kamali’s prose when I read The Stationery Shop and I was so excited to get to read this one! I was in tears reading the story of this friendship between Ellie and Homa. The things they both went through and the struggles they faced were heartbreaking, but their strength and courage through it all was beautiful.

I was unfamiliar with a lot of the history of the revolution in Iran in the 70s/80s. The fear and uncertainty surrounding these women’s everyday lives was tragic. Even though the story was fiction, you could feel the truth behind what life is/was truly like for these women during this time in history up to present day.

+ coming of age
+ bonds of friendship
+ women’s rights & female empowerment
+ love & sacrifice
+ resilience

What a wonderful read. So full of emotion and life. While taking place in the recent past the author did a great job of mirroring the present in the way women are still fighting the exact same fight world over and will continue to. Should be required reading for those interested in getting involved. There is no wrong way to fight oppression as evidenced here.

This was a richly written book, set mostly in Tehran. There is friendship, jealousy, betrayal, yes, but the richness of the descriptions of place, time, food, and friends is what makes the book worth reading.

Thank you for this ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed The Stationery Shop and was excited to read this. Kamali again re-created a world with rich characters that you care deeply about. At times I did think it read a bit like a history book, but this did not last throughout. The ending had a nice twist that I did not see coming. If you enjoy historical fiction and decades-spanning family dramas, this is a great book for you!

This was a wonderful novel about women in Iran, set during the time of the Shah and after the Islamic Revolution. We meet the main character, Ellie, as a seven-year-old, who (as a result of the death of her father) must move with her mother to a lesser neighborhood. It is there that she meets Homa, the other main character. The girls form a deep, but complicated, friendship as children, then separate when Ellie moves to an upper-class neighborhood. The girls reunite as teenagers, and their (now very complicated) relationship continues through adulthood.
However, the women’s friendship is only the framework in which the reader experiences Iran. Throughout the novel – and deeply affecting the girls’/teenagers’/women’s relationship - are both the culture and politics of Iran. Homa is an activist from her youth, while Ellie “goes with the flow” of her time and culture. Homa, who wants to be a judge, is a strong supporter of women’s rights and also supports the communist cause, while Ellie (although supportive of advancement for women and education) is focused more on school, high school girlfriends and her boyfriend. Through these (and other) characters, the reader experiences the lives of, and issues facing, women in Iran. During the Shah’s time we see teenage girls dressed in pants and shorts, having parties and worrying about hair and makeup. We also see the brutality of the Shah’s regime and the horror of his prisons, including the devastating and lingering effect of being imprisoned on a teenage girl. We watch as most of the upper-class Iranians support the Shah (who provides many benefits to them) and believe that a fundamentalist revolution “just won’t happen” - - but, of course, it does. The reader must then watch as most women’s rights are quickly and irrevocably withdrawn by the new fundamentalist regime. The new Morality Police enforce mandatory hijab and other laws are enacted to the great detriment of women. Ellie winds up in the United States, while Homa continues her risky, lifelong fight for the betterment of women in Iran.
This novel was nicely written, but what it did best was to portray the lives and plights of Iranian women. The title of the novel is derived from an Iranian phrase “Lion Women” that was applied to Homa. I wish that I could say that this story of women in Iran had a happy ending, but, as we know even from current news, it does not. My hope is that the real Lion Women of Iran continue their fight and succeed in their battles. I highly recommend this novel – particularly to anyone who has an interest in Iran or women’s rights.

I truly, thoroughly enjoyed this book. Kamali writes with such strength and quiet wisdom. I learned so much about the history of Iran through the pages of this novel and came to love nearly all of its characters so deeply. There were a few moments where I felt information was included for information’s sake, but I think the story as a whole is incredibly valuable and one I will carry with me for a long while.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing this book, with my honest review below*

An absolutely beautiful story that I will recommend to all readers for its vivid description of some very relevant historical events as well as the fallout that followed. I especially think young women would find an interest in this book and those who want to better understand a country that is rich in culture, but in the news often for its extremist turns.

I thought the friendship was well written and was drawn to Homa especially throughout the story. Marjan Kamali has written about life through the lens of fiction, but it’s believable and a vivid depiction of what life truly was for Iranian women going through the revolution and living beyond it. Lion women, indeed.

I really wanted to give this book a better rating because I did like the plot and learning about the plight of women in Iran, but the writing itself was not up to par. I found too many anachronisms, multiple instances of poor word choice, poor word order in sentences, and repetitive phrases. For example, the author described the women's laughter as "giggling" many, many times. I found that to be demeaning to the women. There was also a description of the smell of the bathroom after one of the character's husbands was in there. Not appropriate to the story at all.
I know that this author has many fans because the descriptions of the life in Iran and the food and customs are interesting. The main characters are likeable. If only the editing had been better!
Note: My review is based on an advance copy of the book provided by Netgalley. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book!

Gorgeous story that’s beautifully done aboht the friendship between two women in Iran. Thanks for the arc and cheers

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

I’d read this author's previous book “The Stationary Shop” so jumped at the chance to read this one. It didn’t disappoint. The story was amazing, the characters oh so real; and everything pulled me in. Overall I’m so glad I came across this book.

This is a beautiful and moving story following two friends from adolescents to adulthood and how they weave in out of each other's lives. Starting in the 50s in Iran you get so much of the history of the country and the effects that had on these characters. This is a story I'll remember for a long time because it was so honest and I can not recommend it more.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. This story begins with a friendship of two young girls in Iran and goes through their shared and individual lives as they go in and out of each other's lives. Reading about the changes that women in Iran experienced with political turmoil made me really think about what I see in the news about Iran. The end of the book made me tear up with the power of women.

The history of life under the Shah told through a lens of friendship between two girls. Beautifully written and descriptive. I loved it and was so attached to Homa by the end of the novel. Not to be missed!

The strength and resilience of women and a profound friendship drive this incredible story of hope for a better future. Iran at the time was ruled by the Shah and his private army.

Ellie, aged seven, has her life upended after the death of her father. She and her snobby mother must leave their mansion in Tehran and move into an impoverished area of town. Ellie is forbidden to mix with the kids playing outside. Enrolled in school, Ellie meets Homa, a vivacious, intelligent, adventurous child. They become inseparable. Since Homa is banned from Ellie’s home as undesirable, Ellie spends her time at Homa’s. There, she is welcomed by the family she wished she had. She learns about love and standing alongside Homa to cook Persian food. She also learns that Homa has adopted her father’s love of Communism and seeks to study law, become a judge and fight for equality for women. Homa sees them as Lion Women. Throughout Ellie’s life, she has been indoctrinated by her mother to marry well and have children. Ellie does not see herself as fierce.

Ellie’s mother moves them back uptown to a bigger house and new private school. Pining for Homa, Ellie finally climbs out of her despair. She becomes popular, is top in her class, has friends, finds a boyfriend and dreams of marriage. Homa, through hard work, is able to join Ellie at her fancy school. They soon pick up their friendship. Homa convinces Ellie of her need to join her and Ellie’s boyfriend at the University of Tehran. Even with their differing politics, their friendship remains.

During college, a cataclysmic event occurs that leaves both young women changed forever. Can their friendship withstand a betrayal, guilt and time? How Kamala has them navigating their lives from under the Shah to life under the Ayatollah to present day will keep you glued to the pages.

While this is a book of fiction, it is a very believable snapshot of how under two regimes women’s rights keep eroding and calls for the need to take action. It is a brave story that needs to be told.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Special thanks to NetGalley for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions. My rating is a solid 5 stars. I am a fan of the beautiful writing of Marjan Kamali. I am a bit biased because I am a fan of Farsi, such a love language. I was excited to receive this copy as I also loved the Stationery Shop.

Ms. Kamali walks us through the 50's up until the present and I laughed and cried as Ellie (oh! I love the name Elaheh) and Homa found each other, lost touch and then were reunited. We are taken through the grand bazaar, the beautiful kitchens and food and of course the changing political climate.

I laughed and cried through the coming of ages, the betrayal(s) and the forgiveness. The common theme throughout is the strength and valor of the Iranian women. They truly are the Lion Women. I am excited to see what the author writes about next.

"The Lion Women of Tehran" is a tapestry that intricately weaves together the threads of an extraordinary friendship, transcending time, societal constraints, and political upheavals. From the tender age of 7 through the trials of their 70s, Ellie and Homa, the protagonists of this poignant narrative, embody a friendship that defies all conventional norms, forming the beating heart of a tale that is both joyful and haunting.

Set against the backdrop of the Shah's regime and later the religious intolerance of Ayatollah Khomeini's rule, the narrative unfolds as a compelling exploration of the human spirit in the face of political turmoil. The author masterfully depicts the palpable tension and looming shadows of oppression, making every page a resonating echo of an era marked by uncertainty and fear. Through the lens of Ellie and Homa's lives, the reader is taken on a journey that transcends mere historical documentation, delving deep into the emotional core of a nation in flux.

The beauty of "The Lion Women of Tehran" lies in its ability to capture the essence of female empowerment and liberation. Ellie and Homa, born into different circumstances and distinct class divisions, navigate a world that seeks to confine and define them. Yet, against all odds, their friendship flourishes, serving as a testament to the strength that lies within the hearts of Iranian women. The narrative unfolds with a delicate balance of joy and sorrow, celebrating the triumphs of resilience and the enduring power of the female spirit.

One of the book's most compelling aspects is its unwavering focus on the enduring bond between Ellie and Homa. Even as the characters face imprisonment and years of separation, the unbreakable thread of their friendship remains, a testament to the indomitable nature of human connection. The author's narrative prowess shines as they navigate the complexities of friendship, love, and sacrifice in a world fraught with adversity.

"The Lion Women of Tehran" is not merely a historical account; it is a celebration of the undying spirit of friendship and the resilience of women against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in Iranian history. This book, with its prose and rich character development, deserves a prominent place on reading lists, particularly for female high school students. It serves as an inspirational ode to the strength of women and the enduring power of bonds that transcend time and circumstance. In an age where stories of female empowerment are crucial, this book stands tall as a beacon of hope and a celebration of the lion-hearted women who refuse to be silenced.

Wow. This was wonderfully spectacular in every sense of the word. It was a hauntingly tragic and beautiful and I think it’s a story I’ll forever carry with me. It touched deep in my heart and I am so grateful for Kamali for writing this book.

I was annoyed by Ellie’s mom for the longest time but I think Kamali did a beautiful job of humanizing this very imperfect person who did want the best for her daughter. I also felt like Ellie’s frustrations with her mother diminished once bigger, more life changing events happened.

Ellie and Homa are most certainly lionesses. Even though they live much different lives they are both powerful women who have overcome so much hardship. While a work of fiction, I have no doubt that this book reflects real lives in Iran.

A heart-rending story of friendship & family set amidst the backdrop of Iran from the 1970’s to present.
Gorgeous cover artwork & significance.

With thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books for this e-ARC.

I absolutely loved this book, and have already promised a copy to my best friend for her birthday.
Such a beautiful portrayal of friendship and loyalty between two women from very different backgrounds and of different personalities.