The Lion Women by Marjan Kamali is a multi-POV coming of age Iranian historical fiction set in the 1950’s through the 1980’s. It follows Ellie and Homa as they meet, become friends, and navigate growing up together and exploring meaningful futures during a tumultuous time in Iran.

This is the second book I have read by Marjan. The first, The Stationary Shop, I absolutely loved so I knew I had to read this one too! In my experience I come across a lot of historical fiction set in Europe so when I find something that’s different than that I usually want to read it. Overall I really enjoyed this story! The relationship between Ellie and Homa was relatable and I felt invested in their outcome. I also learned a lot about the Iranian culture during that time period. Some sensitive topics are addressed in this book. This was a reality of the times the book was set in (and unfortunately still is today across the globe), but be mindful in case you struggle with any of these: rape, violence, political uprising, poverty, and death.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for granting me an eARC in return for an honest review. This book is expected to be published on July 2, 2024.

This historical fiction follows two women born in the 1950's in Tehran. Homa is from the "rough" part of town while Elaheh is from a more privileged family. When circumstances bring them together, they become lifelong friends whose lives become forever intertwined. The narrative follows their lives from childhood to early adult.
The characters are well developed, the pace is good and the writing and editing excellent. I enjoyed learning about Iran and the people there through the eyes and experiences of these two women and their families. There is a small surprise twist to their story, just at the end which I did not see coming. I do not hesitate to give this a 5 star rating. You will enjoy this book if you like historical fiction or just good fiction. The story has much to recommend it as a book of the month club. There are plenty of discussion topics.

Pre-Order this one NOW! Pub date 7/2/24. My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advanced ecopy of this book. This is one that I will also buy as soon as it is available as I want to hold on to this one forever!

Several years ago, THE STATIONERY SHOP made it's way into my hands and into my heart and remains one of my all-time favorite books. Now, THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN has joined it. I ADORED this book - the history, the writing, the characters, the cover. Every. Single. Bit.

The story begins in 1950s Tehran where the country is on the brink of a revolution and Ellie is on the brink of big changes in her personal life. Her father has died, and she and her mother must move "downtown" to a completely different way of life. While there, Ellie meets and is befriended by Homa, and their lives become forever intertwined. Marjan Kamail's beautiful writing takes us through the tale of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness all set in the backdrop of the political changes in Iran from the 50s through the current day. And, there are "Easter Egg" references to the beloved STATIONERY SHOP.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Marjan Kamali has delivered another touching and well-written book with the characters that touch your soul. Certainly the perfect time in regards to the events happening concurrently in Iran. "Lion" is the most accurate description of the brave women in Iran. A must-read for every young woman who would stand up for their right to freedom. Loved this book and would highly recommend it for anyone who has any remote interest in Iran, past and present.

Thank you to Net Galley and Gallerybooks for this ARC review copy.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The backdrop is Tehran, beginning in 1950 and continuing through the present. Seven-year-old Ellie and her parents live in comfort, but things change upon her father’s sudden death. While the cultural custom at the time dictates that her father's brother provide for them, Ellie and her mother need to leave their home and move to an apartment where they share a mattress. With her mother grieving widowhood and loss of status, Ellie is lonely and isolated. Finally, she is enrolled in school and meets Homa, and the two forge a lifelong friendship.

We follow them through school to university, where a betrayal causes a serious rift in their friendship. While they live their lives separate, each yearns for the renewal of their friendship. The political turmoil of their country eventually brings a reconciliation for them.

The characters are well-defined, and their relationship is touching. Dialog is realistic, but the use of Farsi/Persian words was a bit overdone and disruptive to the flow. As historical fiction, the author does an excellent job of bringing the reader into the time and place. The culture is brought alive by accounts of societal mores and cuisines.

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I love to read historical fiction of times and places I know little about. I learn so much much and gain an appreciate for different cultures I'm not familiar with. I know it's fiction, but it's also realistic based on the setting.

Marjan Kamali has penned another masterful story with Ellie and Homa. While this gem delves into lots of social issues in a believable, immersive way, the heart of the story is about their friendship and their resilience. Definitely a must-read!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Marjan Kamala is back with another beautiful and emotional story about the lifelong friendship of Ellie and Homa and their strength and resilience during a time of political upheaval.

Set in Tehran during the 1950s and the events following the overthrow of the Shah/ Iranian Revolution in the 70s and 80s, this story vividly captures the challenges women in Iran experience. Kamala tackles thought-provoking themes such as, women’s rights, identity, social injustice, class divide, and immigration. But at the same time, she incorporates her love for Iranian culture and cuisine into the story, so you better understand the country and what these Lions are fighting for.

Read if you like:
-Coming of age
-Friendship stories
-Tehran setting
-Compelling reads
-Women’s rights

Thank you Gallery for the ARC! Pub 7/2

A quick and insightful read about the lives of two girls from different backgrounds who live in Iran and the consequences the Revolution had on their lives and the greater society. We are given two main characters. When we first are introduced to Ellie, she is living along with her mother having lost her father and living under the guidance of her father’s brothers who have demoted their lives from upper middle class to lower class. At school Ellie meets Homa, a fierce personality from a lower-class family that is open and excited about all the possibilities life can offer and making Iran better for all. She has both parents and siblings.

Life becomes more complicated overnight as Ellie’s mother remarries, and she moves into the upper class again. The drastic life change suited her, as she was pretty and popular, and over the years lost her attachment to Homa until one day she finds her way into her private fancy high school. Homa again becomes a part of Ellie’s life.

The story is mainly about this friendship, how the laws and events leading up to the revolution shattered people’s lives, and how after the revolution life becomes more and more difficult for the average person. The story is real, as it reads as though it is based on fact. It is insightful into the lives of people in Iran, socially, and how the class structure works. I mostly enjoyed the book.

I think it loses steam at the end, but maybe this is how a foreigner would interpret life in America.

I think this is easy to get into and is a compelling read. It is insightful and written for anyone to understand life under the Shah and how life differs under the Ayatollah. Even though this is a novel, there are many embedded historical facts and worth the time to understand.

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marian Kamala is a historical fiction full of friendship, love and sacrifice, well worth the read.

Ellie and Homa met in the late 1950’s at a public school in Iran. During this time, women see a bright future for themselves in Iran.

At 7 years-old, Ellie had never had a friend like Homa. Even though her family was poor, Homa was full of spirit wanting to make the world a better place. Her father was a communist who wanted to make Iran a more equal country for all. Unfortunately, continuous political unrest took its toll and Homa’s father was arrested. Throughout the story we follow Ellie and Homa’s friendship into adulthood.

At its heart, this is a story about friendship. How friendships grow and change through life’s experiences and tragedies. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys literary fiction.

Publish Date: July 2, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley and Gallerybooks for this ARC review copy.

Marjan Kamali just never disappoints. I have now read all 3 of her books and loved them all. She gives me such a sense of what it must be like to be a woman in Iran. Her characters are so strong and so real. This book is no exception. Homa and Ellie first meet at age 7. Ellie and her mother move from their upper class neighborhood to Homa’s much poorer one after the death of Ellie’s father. The girls become instant friends and Ellie falls in love with Homa’s family. Ellie and Homa are separated when Ellie’s mom remarries but reunite when they end up at the same high school and immediately pick up their friendship. Homa is an idealist, an activist and a dreamer willing to work for a better world. Ellie truly just wants to marry and have children. Neither woman’s life turns out as expected but twists of fate and the constant threat of violence and oppression from the ever changing rulers of Iran continually keep Homa and Ellie in each other’s lives in surprising ways. I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.

"Lion Women" is the kind of historical fiction I can get behind. It's unusual nowadays to see a book cover for female-driven historical fiction that doesn't include a photo of a woman with her back turned to the camera, dressed in a long coat looking vaguely into space. The dragon is vibrant and on the move; the perfect symbol for our protagonists, Homa and Ellie. These two women have been friends on and off since childhood, in Iran against the backdrop of political turmoil. Ellie is a conformist, from a rich family, and Homa is lower-class and socially engaged. Their differing views lead to a devastating betrayal. Decades later, Ellie receives a letter from Homa in her New York City home causing the past bubble back up to the surface.

I love Kamali's prose: it's clear and direct. Metaphors and descriptions are kept to a minimum allowing the pace to progress without unecessary detours. I was surprised by how quickly I worked my way through this book and felt that it was truly a "Goldilocks" story: just right in its character development, historical exposition, and poignancy. Female friendship is at its heart, with all of its nuances and challenges. There are no stereotypes or villains, only women who love and care for its each other. A real beauty!

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali will be one of my favorite books of this year. Kamali is also the author and previous award winner for the Stationary Shop (also a favorite of mine).

The Lion Woman of Tehran takes place in 1950's Tehran through present day and follows the intertwined lives of Ellie and Homa who meet as young girls. What follows is poignant story about the testament to a friendship that is tested through time and yet flourishes despite the odds.

I liked how Kamali's story focuses on how lives can be impacted by socioeconomic differences. I learned a lot about what it was like living life during the Iranian revolution. This was an amazing story, well written, wonderful character development with an impactful plot. Also, lets talk about the cover. Kamali's books have some of the most beautiful covers that I have ever seen!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this impactful novel.

When I first started reading this book I felt I had stumbled upon a combination of Mean Girls, The Color of Our Sky by Amitra Trasi and the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It starts with the class based negative treatment of school age girls towards each other based on their economic status. The last two books tell the stories of betrayals that have far reaching ramifications, but ultimately the injured individuals demonstrate great depths of grace and forgiveness. The guilt that the betrayers feel is an ever present reminder and influences their lives/actions from thereon.
Taking place (for a great deal of the book) in Tehran before, during and after the shah's ouster and the
religious extremists takeover, the relationship between the two main characters (Ellie and Homa) is always in the forefront. The description of the political upheaval and how it affected the girls (as well as the population) and their relationship was very effective and simply put. I felt like I had an up close and personal look at how the people were being affected.
The more I got into the book, the less I thought about the similarities (of the mentioned novels) and appreciated the story for it's simplicity in explaining the characters feelings thoughts and actions.
The author did an excellent job in tying all loose ends together. All of the delimas had resolutions.

The characters in this book are the best defined of any I've read. I feel I've known Ellie and Homa from when they were little girls to adult women. One rich, one poor, both living in a country with a caste system. Life for both was stifled by the Shah and then the Imam. Their friendship was tested by forces they couldn't control. A 'Goodread'. I was gifted this from Net Galley.

This story follows the lives of two females who meet as children and follow their lives into adulthood. Once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. This is a powerful story that is female-centered in a time and place where females didn't have much power or say.

Oh my Persian heart! The struggles that Iranian women faced and are facing, it hurts. I loved the Stationary Shop so I was beyond excited to read this one. Not disappointed at all… Little heartbroken, but loved the element of friendship!

Thank you for the early copy,
Much love to the women of Iran.

"The Lion Women of Tehran" is about a lifelong friendship between two women living in Tehran. The story begins in the 1950s and follows Ellie and Homa's relationship and the changes they go through throughout their lives. Recommended for readers who loved "The Stationary Shop," stories of female friendships, and the value of history. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Lion Women of Tehran is a heartfelt, emotional novel about the power of friendship and the cost of betrayal. Moving and politically charged, Kamali delivers an epic story about the women’s movement and political climate in 1950s Tehran, Iran.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I loved the book! It made me laugh and cry, be angry and sad; but it was so worth it. Ellie and Homa are wonderful characters. Marjan Kamali brought them to life and made me care so much.

Set amidst the backdrop of the fall of freedoms in Iran, the story shows what women had to go through and still do. It shows the strength and determination of women and how we must never take freedom for granted. It's a wonderful book.

This poignant novel tells the story of generations of Iranian women and their struggle for freedom. Throughout the deceaseds the novel covers, the author show us how, across the world, we are connected by our desire to live free lives. I highly recommend this one!