A powerful coming of age story by a brilliant writer. Marjan's character development makes you feel like you know the characters. The Stationary Shop was fantastic so I was excited to read her latest novel. Set in 1950s Tehran following the story of two girls who meet in their youth and develop a friendship. Their bond carries them through a tumultuous time within Iran as the book examines a coming of age story based on historical facts.

June 3, 2024
I have never read anything else by this author, nor have I ever read anything about Iranian culture. I found myself at first mesmerized by this novel. Unfortunately, it seems written more for the young adult crowd than for anyone else. Let me amend that last sentence: MOST of the novel seems written for Y/A's.

It is a fascinating look into a culture I know little about, and it is a captivating history of Iranian women, politics, and the deep and abiding friendship of two women who met when they were 7 years old and kept their friendship going for most of a lifetime.

This was a fast and engrossing read, perfect for those who want to know more about the culture and what women have gone through and are going through now.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster, the author, and NetGalley.

Historical fiction is not my usual genre, however, the cover and description enticed me to read this novel. It's a hauntingly beautiful coming of age story beginning in the 1950s and spanning decades- sharing events during the Iranian Revolution and beyond.

This is a must read for all women, but especially women that love historical fiction or women's fiction and yearn for a book to beautifully share another culture and another time. It's a beautiful, five star read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the digital arc- my opinions are my own.

The Lion Women of Tehran chronicles the strong friendship of two very different Iranian girls. Their relationship is beset by class and wealth differences, politics and revolution, but these strong, proud women are survivors; they are lions, fighting for what they believe in and for each other. Marjan Kamali once again embeds her love of food into her writing and will have your mouth watering with her descriptions of Iranian dishes while also educating you on the political history and erosion of women's rights in Iran

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali is a must read. This book has everything that I love in a novel: strong female protagonists, complex relationships, and plot twists set within an important historical context. I highly recommend this book. It will be one of the my favorite books of 2024. I could not put this book down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an eARC.

complex topic, nicely done and quite impactful towards the end. I had a good time reading this one

Thoughts

If you have read Together Tea and/or The Stationery Shop then you know to expect a book with strong Iranian women from Kamali and this book is nothing short of that. All the female characters in this book have their own strengths and personalities. They all have to face their own challenges in life.

Set to the backdrop of political unrest in Iran starting in 1953— when the U.S. and the U.K. helped stage a coup d'é·tat— until present day, two friends are navigating growing up in this time while they are in two different socioeconomic classes.

It made me cry several times because this author loves doing that. The bond between Ellie and Homa was beautiful yet it was hard sometimes seeing struggles Ellie had between her world and accepting Homa and hers. However, I loved seeing how Ellie's privilege made her move and the author never changed that to make her seem more likeable. She stayed true to her and I appreciate that because it this book really showcased all types of different women.

This is also a timely book as it illustrates how quickly rights can be taken away by religious fundamentalist.

This book comes out it July and you all will need to grab a copy and devour it like I did!

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved “The Stationery Shop" by Marjan Kamali so I was so excited to be approved for an eARC of this novel (thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley). I read this entire novel in less than 24 hours- I could not put down this lovely story of deep and true friendship, betrayal, and hope. I learned some heartbreaking history of Iran as well. Add this one to your TBR ASAP.

After a run of "meh" books, I picked this up with low expectations - even though I've read and loved Kamali's previous works. I was thrilled to be sucked in within the first few pages, and inhaled this beautiful book in about 24 hours! Highly recommend for its strong sense of place, beautiful storytelling, its depiction of complicated but devoted friendship, and persistent hope. I love a book that pulls me into the story, but also helps me to better understand a part of history I lived through, but only new about tangentially through the lens of the nightly news. This one is one to own!

Special thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Lion Women of Tehran to read! This book will publish on July 2, 2024.

Ellie and Homa are best friends. As life circumstances pull them apart, they drift apart like all friends do. Then, shoved back together by nothing short of fate, can the friends overcome their differences?

I love the deep characters Marjan Kamali writes. It is obvious she pours her heart and soul into every line of her books, and her evocative and emotional writing pulls you into the story. This coming of age story for Ellie and Homa is no different. Marjan Kamali writes about some hard things in friendship: jealousy, love, betrayal, and joy. The dual point of view really worked well, and my heart grew and ached with them. And in true Kamali style, there’s a lot of hope packed in there too! As well as some fun easter eggs from The Stationary Shop (which I would also recommend if you haven’t read it yet!). Plus, just look at that cover!!?!

I’d recommend this book if you’re interested in female friendships, coming of age stories, and historical fiction set in 1950’s Iran.

Content warnings: rape, war

Devastatingly beautiful take of friendship, love, betrayal and redemption. Set in the backdrop of the political upheaval in Iran during the Shah regime and Khomeini regime, spacing between three decades, it explores love, loss and enduring friendships. How one learns courage and perseverance from the people you cross paths with in life.

This is a well-done historical fiction novel exploring the lives of two girls/women, Homa and Ellie, over the course of their lives in Iran and, later, the US. I loved their friendship and how their lives intersect again and again over time. Readers get to see their growth against the backdrop & because of a changing Iran in the 50s-70s.

I wish we had more chapters from Homa’s POV earlier on. Also, some of the later chapters felt rushed or misplaced. I think the best developed sections of the book were when Homa & Ellie were teenagers/young adults—it combines their personal fights, activism & politics, and their country very well.

Overall, I love seeing more historical fiction that’s not about WWII/Europe! This is a great read and tells the story of young 20th century women in Iran beautifully.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a free copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

“The Lion Women of Tehran” by Marjan Kamali is a perfect testament of the power of fiction—that fiction can move people emotionally and can help people develop empathy by understanding what happens in people’s lives. This historical novel takes place in Iran in the 1950s and brings us all the way up to the years after the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s.

The story opens when Elaheh and her mother moves to a slum after her father dies and they can no longer live in his fine house. Elaheh becomes friends with a local girl, Homa, and the two forge a lifelong friendship, despite their different backgrounds and upbringings. Eleheh’s fortunes change after her mother agrees to marry her father’s brother, and she is wrenched away from her best friend. They meet again after Homa gains acceptance into the academically prestigious school Eleheh attends. Their friendship has some ups and downs, namely due to their different political ideologies and due to their different class backgrounds. But it is an act of betrayal that destroys their friendship—at least for many years. But a friendship as strong as theirs can be damaged, but never destroyed.

I loved this book and would give it 10-stars if I could. It is so beautifully written and the twists and turns that the book takes in the end had my jaw dropping. I am so glad that I could learn more about Iranian

I have become such a fan of Marjan Kamali since I read “The Stationery Shop”. I just loved this book. Her writing makes you believe you are in Tehran at the bazaars, eating and smelling the food and being with the people.

The story opens in 1950’s Tehran with 2 seven year old girls who become unlikely friends. Ellie’s family has money and believe in the Shah while Homa’s family is poor and whose dad is a communist. The girls dream that they will be Lion women. The story follow the girls throughout their life as they navigate high school, college and adulthood. During this time, Iran is going through challenging political times. This would make a wonderful bookclub discussion book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery books for the arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was deeply moved by THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN by Marjan Kamali. Set against the backdrop of Iran before, during, and after the revolution, it's a gripping story of friendship, class, and women's rights, exploring themes of betrayal, redemption and the power of female bonds. Kamali's storytelling vividly brings these themes to life. I highly recommend it for its emotional depth and beautifully crafted narrative.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I just loved “The Stationery Shop” by Marian Kamala. I couldn’t wait to read her next novel, The Lion Women of Tehran.
This is a different book than our previous one. This is a story of the friendship of two young girls growing up in the turbulence of Iran. The story takes place in the 1950s Tehran and continues and until present day. It is a coming of age story as Ellie and Homa make life changing decisions and the conflicts they encounter.
The book is beautifully written. It is a must read for all women.
Truly Lion Women. A compelling story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this advanced readers copy.

Marjan Kamali has written a story that captured my attention from the very beginning. I had not read any of her previous two books so I was not quite sure what to expect.

Ellie and Homa form a fast and deep friendship when they were only young girls. Classmates, the girls with very different personalities, become practically inseparable until Ellie's life is upended with the loss of her father and the new marriage of her mother and uncle. The girls swear to not lose touch but life happened.

Fast forward to the girls in high school and their paths merge once again and lasts a lifetime.

The Lion Women of Tehran is a rich book that spans decades of friendship.

Kamali has a new loyal reader. I am anxious to read her first two works. Not sure I could have loved this book more. This is not a light read but despite that I still loved it.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Marjan Kamali's "The Lion Women of Tehran" is a poignant and sweeping tale of friendship, resilience, and the transformative power of love and courage set against the backdrop of three tumultuous decades in Tehran, Iran.

The story follows Ellie, a young girl whose life takes a drastic turn following the untimely death of her father. Forced to move to a humble home downtown with her mother, Ellie longs for companionship and finds it in the spirited Homa. Together, they navigate the colorful streets of Tehran, dreaming of becoming "lion women" and defying societal expectations.

Kamali expertly captures the essence of Iranian society during pivotal historical periods, from the opulent 1950s to the upheaval of the Shah's regime and the Iranian Revolution. Through Ellie and Homa's intertwined lives, readers gain insight into the challenges faced by women in Iran, including issues of class, identity, and social injustice.

What sets this novel apart is Kamali's evocative prose and her ability to delve into the complexities of human relationships. The friendship between Ellie and Homa is depicted with warmth and authenticity, making it a central and compelling aspect of the narrative.

As the story unfolds, Kamali skillfully weaves together themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption, culminating in a powerful exploration of how the people we meet shape our lives. Despite their flaws and differences, Ellie and Homa emerge as resilient and courageous women who defy societal constraints and forge their own paths.

"The Lion Women of Tehran" is a captivating and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page. Kamali's rich storytelling, combined with her deep understanding of Iranian culture and history, makes this book a must-read for anyone interested in compelling narratives and thought-provoking themes.

I received an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed here are my own.

The Lion Women of Tehran is a powerful coming-of-age story about female friendship, women's rights, and Iran's tumultuous history. Ellie and Homa are two girls from vastly different backgrounds who become best friends; while Ellie is content to live comfortably in her upper-class life, Homa is idealistic, ambitious, and intends to make Iran better for all.

I loved reading the mouth-watering descriptions of Persian delicacies interspersed throughout the story, and I'm already planning to visit restaurants serving these dishes in my city. I was also thrilled to see a reference to The Stationery Shop in this book!

The last quarter of the book felt more disconnected with <spoiler>Ellie, Mehrdad, and Bahar in New York</spoiler>, and I wanted to read more chapters from Homa's perspective. I wish Ellie and Homa had <spoiler>more time to reconcile and reconnect before Homa was imprisoned again and forbidden to leave Iran</spoiler>, but I know that doesn't reflect the reality of the ongoing protests in Iran. The ending was gripping, heart-wrenching, and yet still incredibly inspiring.

While this was a beautiful story about friendship, I found it a bit slow. I enjoyed learning about the women’s movement in Tehran and it provided great political and cultural context given what’s happening in the world today with Iran. At times I had to push myself to keep reading, but I was glad I finished it.