4.5 rounded up💫 another beautiful book by Marjan Kamali!!

✨historical fiction spanning decades
✨female friendships 🫶🫶
✨the changing leadership of Iran and its impact on women’s rights
✨beautiful writing!!
✨great on audio🎧 dual narration!
✨themes of class divides, betrayals, sacrifices, forgiveness, political turmoil
✨stationery shop cameo👀

I loved it!! It was so so well done and emotional and thought provoking. I grew to deeeeply care for these characters and their journeys both separately and together. I also learned a lot!! 👏 ugh!! Just definitely recommend!

This is my second book by Marjan Kamali, and I absolutely love her writing. It’s atmospheric, full of heart, embedded with valuable themes and priceless historic backdrops. She is the kind of writer that you can easily recommend her books to any reader friend with confidence.

This story of two friends that spans childhood to adulthood highlights not only two unique coming of age stories, but the fight for women’s rights in Iran. Although primarily written from Ellie’s POV, Homa and a couple other key characters get a moment in the spotlight as well.

The only thing that I want to add to the countless other reviews I read and agree with here- and they all nail it in their praise- is one small piece in the storytelling itself that kept it from being a perfect 5⭐️ for me, solely based on personal preference. I would describe this book as getting coffee with the main characters and getting an extremely heartfelt, emotional, and personal recounting of some of the most human experiences one can have. I felt every moment. I wanted to hug the girls; they were very real to me. But it did not feel as if I was THERE during the most crucial moments. We would be in one moment, anticipating something big, and the next chapter would then be the next day, or a small to medium jump in time. Or there will have been a shocking plot point but we learned about it in the past tense. I wanted to be immersed a little bit more than I was in the actual events, not just a summary of them. This did not take away at all from the importance of the story and for many would not keep it from being the perfect read, but personal preference leads me to believe it would have had much more punch for me in the moment.

Regardless of this little nit pick, I hope this author continues to grace us with her amazing and important insight into women and their history!

Another winner from Kamali! This story was beautifully written, and the characters are richly developed, and the plots are woven together seamlessly. Embedded in this story is also important historical context around the Iranian revolution and struggles Iranian women face. Kamali continues to be an auto-buy author for me!

Marjan Kamali’s newest novel, The Lion Women of Tehran, had me holding my breath. Coming off my heart-wrenching experience with The Stationery Shop a few years back, I was both eager and apprehensive. Thankfully, this book soared to the same heights! It possessed everything I adore in historical fiction: timeline that stretches across decades, intricate human bonds of friendship, and a masterful balance between devastation and unwavering hope. Did it elicit tears like its predecessor? Three-quarters of the way in, my eyes remained dry. But fear not, fellow bibliophiles, a single tear traced a path down my cheek on the last page.

Here’s a quote from the book that perfectly captures this story’s spirit: “I recently read a theory about ocean waves. This theory says that while to our eyes waves appear suddenly on the shore, their abruptness is an illusion. Waves begin their journey thousands of miles out at sea. They accumulated shape and power from winds and undersea currents for ages. And so when you see the women screaming in Iran for their rights, please remember, that the force and fury of our screams have been gathering power for years.”

This story of friendship, political turmoil, and the battles we choose to fight (and forgive) left a paw print on my heart. The Lion Women of Tehran is a must-read for those who enjoy the tropes and themes pointed out above.

“The Lion Women of Tehran” is another masterpiece from Marjan Kamali, a powerhouse voice for Iranian fiction! Like "The Stationery Shop," "Lion Women" is a love letter to the Iranian people’s strength, passion, and perseverance, especially the women in this one. I loved getting a glimpse of Iran through the decades, watching the political tension become upheaval and flip the country on its head. I never knew about the Women’s rights protests in the 90s, how women would march for the freedom to and the rights to their children if divorced. I love that fiction can teach you about history while teaching you about the human experience during those events.

One of Kamali's strengths is dynamic characters and Lion Women was full of them. Ellie and Homa, our main two characters, were intriguing and felt fully HUMAN with weaknesses and strengths relatable to many. The side characters were also complex, especially Ellie’s mother. This book discusses girlhood, friends through the years, moving to a new country, communism, escaping terrorism, and so many other things. You’ll just have to read the story for yourself! So many scenes included food (I was drooling!) and Arabic phrases that helped to give layers to the setting, as I’ve never been to Iran. I could smell the bazaar, see the city, and hear the bombs.

I am now obsessed with this book and have cemented Marjan Kamali as an auto-buy author!!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

CW: There is mention of rape, but no details on the page.

4 stars! I love novels with fierce female characters and this novel was no different! This was my first book by this author but it won’t be my last! This was a beautiful story of friendship, love, betrayal, and hope all set against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. And, even though it is historical fiction, it is timely in that the feminist themes and troubles are reminiscent of what many women around the world are dealing with today, including here in the US. I highly recommend if yin love historical fiction, feminist fiction, and fierce female characters! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

What a beautiful story of two friends! Fans of historical fiction and women's fiction will devour this.

A beautiful heartbreaking tale of friendship and betrayal set in Tehran over 3 decades that will blow you away!

It took me a bit to get into this book (it's not my normal read but looked so interesting) but once I got into the book, the tale unfurled so quickly. I almost cried at several points as the twists and turns of the book were not what I was expecting.

The characters feel like they could be your friends or neighbors - with so much emotion.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I felt so many emotions following Ellie and Homa's friendship from seven years old over the course of their lifetime. They go through all the ups and downs you can expect while navigating living through Tehran's turmoil. There is something truly special about Marjan's writing style that immediately captures me and I am unable to put it down. Even after the story ends, I can't get it out of my mind. And this new novel is no different!

“The Lion Women of Tehran” is a deeply honest exploration of the true meaning of friendship. Marjan Kamali has crafted a beautifully told story of two women over a span of 30 years. The choices they make shape each other’s lives in ways they never imagined. The essence of courage, loyalty, and love resonates throughout its pages. This book will leave an enduring mark on my heart and is the best book I have read in 2024.

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

I was so excited when I learned that Marjan Kamali, the author of one of my favorite historical novels The Stationery Shop, had written a new book.

The Lion Women of Tehran is about two friends who meet as children. As they grow up and their values and ideals begin to emerge, they grow apart but remain close.

It’s one of the most beautiful stories of friendship I’ve ever read. I loved all of the characters so much and I loved learning more about the women of Tehran and how they are fighting for their rights to this day. While this is historical fiction the author included current events that have been in the news and it tied into the story so well. I also loved the little references to The Stationery Shop.

If you loved The Stationery Shop like I did I think you will like this one very much!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the advanced digital copy. The Lion Women of Tehran is available now. [Quote is from an uncorrected review copy]

✨I AM LITERALLY BEGGING YOU TO READ THIS BOOK! I want to go out and buy every copy I can find and hand it out to every woman I know. This is an absolutely breathtaking ode to the brave women of Iran who continue to fight for and dream of their freedom. Oh, you beautiful, brave women of Iran, how you inspire me!

✨I finished this book and cried for thirty minutes. Now, an hour later, I am crying again as I write this review. It is truly one of those books that will stay with me forever. No words I could say here will ever do it justice

✨At its heart, this is a book about lifelong friendship and how love, loss and courage both shape and transform us.

✨“Did you know that books can heal you? They helped restore me.” Just one of the many quotes I paused my audiobook to write down.

🌿Read if you like:
✨Coming of age stories
✨Persian culture and cuisine
✨Tehran settings
✨Female friendships
✨Strong female main characters
✨Dual timelines
✨Having your heart ripped out, put back together, ripped out again and crying for hours – but in the very best way.

AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!

I loved this book which explores the enduring power of friendship amidst the rich tapestry of Iranian culture. A captivating coming-of-age story, it delves into the complexities of two women's lives, navigating loyalty and betrayal with unwavering hope. The author's evocative writing style draws you into their world, weaving a story that lingers long after the final page. Perfect for readers seeking a vibrant exploration of culture, female resilience, and the enduring strength of friendship. I couldn't put this book down!

Another great book by @marjankamali7! I was so excited to read this after loving The Stationery Shop, and it completely lived up.
*
In 1950s Tehran, 7-year-old Ellie and Homa are best friends, dreaming of their future as "lion women", set to change the world. But as they grow up, political upheavals in Iran and a shocking betrayal mean their lives turn out very differently from how they planned.
*
This was a beautiful book, and not only did I enjoy the characters and the story, but it also provided a really unique insight into how events in Iran affected the people who lived there. I know some about Iran's history, and really got a lot out of the perspective of women who are fighting for freedom over decades--under the Shah, following the 1953 coup, and during and after the Islamic Revolution.
*
I ended up at 4.5 stars, because I didn't love it quite as much as The Stationery Shop, but it was still such a wonderful book to read, and I highly recommend it!

I was pretty engrossed in this story of Ellie and Homa throughout their childhood in Iran. Ellie is from a wealthy family that has lost her father and meets Homa who is brazen and brave with a very different upbringing. I love reading historical fiction and learning about different places and different times. While I was quite familiar with some of Iran's history, this dove so deeply into pre-1979 and post and it was woven seamlessly into the story. It was an excellent reminder of how fragile freedom is,, The Lion Women of Tehran is now available.

After loving The Stationery Shop last year, I requested this arc as soon as I saw it! And not a single regret - this book lives up to Kamali’s exquisite storytelling, intensive historical and political detail, and compassionate & passionate characters.

Ellie and Homa are childhood friends from two different socio-economic groups, and while this sets them apart in many ways, it binds them forever in others. We begin their tald in the 1959s in Tehran, and we see them through the 1980s, through many political changes and Ellie’s move to America. It’s just incredible how the tale spans so much time and doesn’t feel as though it leaves anything out. A friendship that goes through the worst imaginable trials, and somehow survives… it’s just beautiful.

Highly recommend this one for fans of The Stationery Shop, or other international family drama type books. The politics did matter a lot to the story and she doesn’t shy away from them, but only opinion, that’s a good thing. (Her author’s note was perfect for it, too.) I was reading this while spending time in a Muslim country, and while not the same one, I felt like it added to my personal experience, connection to the book, and understanding of the characters’ situations.

The unlikely friendship of Ellie from a well to do family and Homa from a poverty stricken one forms the heart of this story in Iran from 1974, when they are seven years old, to the present. I felt immersed in Iranian culture with the liberal use of the Persian language and the descriptions of the food. The culture and traditions of Iran under the shah are juxtaposed with life under Khomeini. Women may have had nearly equal rights under the shah, however, the regime was still oppressive as evidenced by Homa’s character and experience. I love to read about strong and mighty women. Homa is an inspiration. I understand Ellie. The Lion Women of Tehran is one of this year’s must read historical fiction novels. It is heartbreaking, honest, and inspiring.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Lion Women of Tehran follows the friendship of two women who became friends as youngsters, how they met and grew up, sometimes together and for years apart. The governments in Tehran, the diverse ways of life, the fight for the rights and freedoms for women, and the bonds, betrayals and forgiveness of friendship are threaded throughout the book. This book is masterfully written and constructed. I will finitely be recommending it to my book clubs.

Very sweet story of friendship beginning in Iran in the 1950’s. I learned a lot about how women were treated during the past 75 years, and have a great deal of admiration to those who stand up for women’s rights.

Ellie and Homa are not a perfect friendship, but they are fiercely tied. I really loved reading their story.

The intersecting lives of two women through tumultuous times in Iran.

Their’s was an unlikely friendship. In 1950, seven year old Ellie’s life is upended when her father dies, leaving her and her mother with only the resources her father’s brother Massoud allots to them (Massoud has offered marriage, having long loved his brother’s wife from afar, but she refused him). They must leave the privileged life and large house in Tehran’s uptown area and move into something much smaller in the undesirable, impoverished downtown. Although her mother, who regularly tells people that she is descended from royalty, is mortified and at a loss with how to adapt to the change in her circumstances, Ellie actually prefers the less strict, more open life she can enjoy in their new neighborhood….and when she meets Homa, she is happier than she has ever been. Homa is from a very humble but extremely happy family, with a father who is an avowed communist. Although they are from entirely different walks of life they become as close as sisters, with Homa’s confidence and zest for life drawing Ellie out of her shell. Ellie’s mother does not approve of the friendship, or of Homa and her family at all, but it is the one area in which the dutiful Ellie will defy her controlling, status conscious mother. Both girls excel in school; Homa dreams of becoming a lawyer and judge and encourages Ellie to similarly reach for goals beyond just being a wife and mother. In Iran at that time, these dreams actually seem possible….there is definitely a Westernization happening, and girls are being encouraged to attend college and have careers. By 1953, Ellie’s mother is concerned enough about the effect that Homa and the downscale neighborhood are having on Ellie that she relents and accepts her brother-in-law’s proposal, and in short order she and Ellie are moving back to a better neighborhood. Ellie is devastated to leave behind her friend, but they exchange gifts and promise to stay in tough. Within a couple of years, for a variety of reasons the girls fall out of touch. By 1960, Ellie is attending an elite girls’ school, is very popular, has acquired a boyfriend named Mehrdad, and travels with her friends Sousan and Niloo in the same circles as the top girl in the whole school, Afarin. During the 12th year Homa unexpectedly shows up as a new student at her school, Ellie is initially embarrassed….she fears that her connection to this obviously poor and different girl will mar her own social standing. But Homa’s personality wins most of the girls over, and soon they are as close as ever (much to her mother’s dismay). Ellie is more focused on her future with Mehrdad than she is on pursuing her education, but Homa pushes her to take the necessary exams and both are accepted at Tehran University, as is Mehrdad. Homa becomes involved in the communist movement, as her father (now in prison) was before her, and it will be her downfall. The wrong word in the right ear leads to devastation, and the girls’ friendship is ripped apart. Ellie and Mehrdad marry and end up in Manhattan, while Homa’s university plans end. Political shifts in Iran change women’s lives for the worse, and Homa struggles to secure a better future for her daughter Bahar. Can she prevail upon her old friend for help? What does life hold for these two women who, as girls, thought they would become strong and powerful women when they grew up?
This is a beautifully crafted tale of the friendship of two women, the choices in life that they make, and the strength each must find to pursue their lives. Descriptions of the world in which they live, the teenage parties in an Iran open to Western influences with girls in beehive hairdos emulating the Western movie stars they adore, the smells and tastes of Homa’s family kitchen and the Grand Bazaar, and the fears and tensions brought about by the many political upheavals over the decades bring the reader into that world as seen through the eyes of Ellie and Homa. As the friendship expands and contracts, as poorly considered choices wreak havoc on both of their lives, as guilt and love and sacrifice and conviction play out, I empathized with al of the characters (even Ellie’s difficult mother) as they work to find happiness and fulfillment in a world which seems to claw back any progress or advancement that had been made. There are no easy happily-ever-afters here, but it is a moving story with unforgettable characters set in a country which is still fighting the same battles now as it did in earlier years. Readers of author Marian Kamali’s previous works as well as those who enjoy authors like Hisham Matar, Vanessa Chan, and Khalid Hosseini should put this novel at the very top of their TBR pile. Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me early access to The Lion Women of Tehran.