Marjan Kamali’s The Lion Women of Tehran is a breathtaking and emotionally charged novel that explores the deep bonds of friendship, the weight of betrayal, and the quest for redemption against the backdrop of a transforming Iran. This powerful narrative spans decades, capturing the essence of resilience in the face of personal and political upheaval.

At the heart of the story is Ellie, whose life takes a dramatic turn following her father’s untimely death. Forced to leave her comfortable existence behind, Ellie moves with her mother to a modest home, where she grapples with loneliness and the burden of her mother’s grievances. The arrival of Homa, a spirited and passionate girl, brings a light into Ellie’s life that she desperately needs. Their friendship blossoms amidst the vibrant colors and sounds of Tehran, with dreams of becoming “lion women” symbolizing their aspirations and strength.

Kamali's prose is evocative and beautifully descriptive, immersing readers in the rich culture and history of Tehran. The bond between Ellie and Homa is depicted with such authenticity that it resonated deeply with me. As their paths diverge due to social circumstances, the narrative poignantly explores how friendships can be tested by life’s changes and the choices we make.

The emotional weight of the story intensifies as political turmoil envelops Iran, serving as a powerful backdrop to the characters' personal journeys. The inevitable betrayal is heart-wrenching, leaving readers to ponder the complexities of loyalty and the impact of our decisions on those we love.

This book is not just a tale of friendship; it’s an exploration of identity, societal expectations, and the enduring power of love. Kamali deftly intertwines personal stories with historical events, offering a profound commentary on how we are shaped by those we encounter in our formative years.

Overall, The Lion Women of Tehran is an important and deeply moving read. It left me with a sense of reflection on the connections that define us and the courage it takes to pursue our true selves. I highly recommend this novel to anyone seeking a rich, emotional narrative that celebrates the complexities of friendship and the transformative power of our choices. Kamali has crafted a remarkable story that will linger in your heart long after you turn the last page.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for the copy of this book!
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Read if you like: books about female friendships/feminist themes
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Taking place around the time of the Iranian Revolution, the book follows two women and explores their friendship and perspectives on women during this turbulent time in Iranian history. Homa is a fighter and strong advocate for women's rights, while Ellie, although she also believes in women's rights, is content with being a wife. Ellie is hesitant to join the protests as she fears the consequences. We learn early on in the book that the two lost touch, and the book explores the intricacies and complexities of this friendship.
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This was a beautiful and heartbreaking story and I loved reading about Ellie and Homa. I appreciated their perspectives on women's rights during this time in Iranian history. Definitely recommend.

Numerous important themes are placed throughout and each one is given appropriate timespan. The most intriguing and less-central relationship was between Ellie and her mother. Historical events are effectively pronounced within the story. Lacks emotional impact in terms of relatability. Distinctive personalities are given to each character. Realistic turbulence that doesn't shy away from unjust circumstances. Uncompelling pacing, shallow character development, and rough conflicts. Elicits determination and a drive for justice. Recommended for those looking to immerse themselves in Iranian culture and history alongside a story of coming-of-age. Overall, an average read. "He cannot make me lose myself. I won't let him."

I thoroughly enjoyed this brilliant novel about the friendship between two young girls in Tehran, beginning when they meet at school in the 1950's. While different in many ways, the girls have a strong bond that lasts through decades, and throughout years of political turmoil. I found the prose beautiful, and the character development excellent. It was also interesting to learn about the uncertain and dangerous times in which they lived. Highly recommend!!

This book, wow.

In the authors notes at the end of this book she speaks of how she came to write The Lion Women of Tehran and describes it as “the friendship between two girls who come from very different families and stations in life but who forge an indestructible bond when they are seven”.

The Lion Women of Tehran is about a deep friendship between Homa & Elaheh (Ellie) but it is also about so much more.

It’s about Iran’s history, politics & oppression. It’s about caste, family, women’s rights, loyalty & betrayal. It is also about love and hope for Iran. While the friendship between the two main characters is what shapes the story, everything else is weaved in brilliantly.

The Lion Women of Tehran are warriors, phoenixes who rise from the ashes time & time again. They are humble & courageous. They are an unbreakable sisterhood. They are Huma & Elaheh.

Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, Gallery Books & Marjan Kamali for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.

Marjan Kamali's newest novel The Lion Women of Tehran was my most ancipated read of 2024! I was THRILLED to obtain a copy from the publisher to read and review because I was so excited for this novel!

The Lion Women of Tehran lived up to all of my expectations! The story takes place in a vibrant Tehran post 1953 coup d'etat through the tumultuous 1979 revolution and up to present day.

The story focuses on two Iranian women, Ellie and Homa, who meet as school girls at the age of 7 and forge a deep friendship. Despite being from different stations in life and through physical separation, their paths continue to weave and cross throughout their lives, binding them together. The story explores the depth of their friendship, through unspeakable betrayal and the power of forgiveness.

Kamali has painted Tehran with a vibrant brush. I truly felt transported there with the sights, smells and food. I highly recommend this one!

The Lion Women of Tehran reminded me exactly why historical fiction is important. I don’t think I would’ve reached for a history of Iran, but I know what’s been going on there and I’m interested to learn more. While being fiction, the events that take place, explain a lot of what actually happened during the revolution in Iran and the growth of the Iranian women’s movement. By telling the story through characters I came to know and care about it made me feel more embedded in the story.

Ellie is the descendant of Kings and Queens, but after her father dies her mother and her are forced to move to the slums of Tehran. Ellie dreams of meeting a quiet, soft friend, but instead she meets Homa. Homa is loud and outspoken. Her father is highly involved in the communist movement where Ellie’s mother would be happy to pretend she’s still in her mansion uptown. Despite Ellie‘s mother, not approving of Homa, a meaningful friendship is made. When Ellie’s mother relents to the offer of Ellie’s uncle of marriage, they move back uptown and lose touch with Homa. Homa works hard and eventually makes her way into Ellie‘s prestigious school, where the friendship is resumed. Both Ellie and Homa are loveable and relatable in different ways. This is a five star book for me.

Excellent historical fiction about a time and place that I don't know very much about. I liked the strong women characters and how they stand tall for their convictions and each other. It was a very interesting read.

I am such a fan of Marjan Kamali. I adored THE STATIONARY SHOP and was excited to receive an e-arc of this one. And it was great!

THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN is a coming-of-age story that follows the friendship of Ellie and Homa. Though they come from different worlds and societal positions, they form a bond at a young age that carries them through all stages of their lives, from Iran to the US and back.

This is a beautiful story of love and friendship. It also outlines some of the political turmoil in Iran and its consequences for women, including the rapid erosion of rights that women fought for and advanced.

The themes explored include love and betrayal, protecting loved ones, making sacrifices, and fighting for and standing up for women's rights and what you believe in.

I admire Kamali and love that she writes about Iranian women and draws her inspiration from her own life. She comes from a line of women who were opinionated, outspoken and broke new ground, including her grandmother, who was one of the first full-time career women in Iran.

Pick this book up if you:

▶️ love historical fiction;
▶️ want to read more about women's rights in Iran and learn more about what they face;
▶️ love inspiring, family-saga-type stories.

Highly recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A big thank you to @simonandschuster for the #gifted e-copy in exchange for my honest opinions. This one is available now!

THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN by Marjan Kamali

A tender beautifully written examination of two women and their choices over more than 30 years .

- [ ] Friendship
- [ ] Families
- [ ] Women’s rights
- [ ] Betrayal and redemption

I really love this book. It was very thought-provoking and and well written.

It is one of those books that I will remember for quite a long time

I knew this was going to be 5 star read just from the dedication alone.

The Lion Women of Tehran is fantastic historical fiction set in Tehran in the 1950s to present day where we meet Ellie and Homa who meet as young girls in primary school and we follow their friendship to present day. We follow them before,during, and after the revolution in Iran and their journey is 🥹😭 ❤️

The Lion Women of Tehran has themes of friendship, love, class, and sacrifices. Kamali writes such beautiful captivating stories; I felt transported to Tehran while reading. Currently in 1st place as my fav read of the year!

✨Many Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada | Gallery Books & NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion

The Lion Women of Tehran is an incredible story of loss, friendship, and family.

I am absolutely obsessed with Marjan Kamali's writing. It is steeped with emotion and history that feels like you're right there with her characters; experiencing their hopes and losses.

The story starts in the 50's in Tehran, where Ellie has lost her father - changing her means significantly. She meets Homa who is full of energy and life and shows her true friendship. Following these girls to womanhood was so incredible, especially against the changing political climate of Iran.

Wonderful for fans of historical fiction, this will not disappoint.

When I read Marjan Kamali’s The Stationery Shop, I was completely immersed in her storytelling. When I got an ARC for Kamali’s latest, The Lion Women of Tehran, I was once again captivated by the narrative and charmed by the characters. Especially by Homa, the fierce young lady who is laser focused on creating change by first educating herself and second becoming a judge to implement real change in her country. But as a society, we see a bird and want to clip its wings. We see someone strong-willed and driven, passionate and pure and we want to tarnish that. Men want to tarnish that. Men want to make decisions that only affect women with no consideration of the consequences. Not all men, but men nonetheless.

While the story is majorly about friendship and strength, I found the way in which women are silenced and still manage to fight back to be the core of the story. The Lion Women of Tehran follows Ellie and Homa through their tender friendship beginning from elementary school to adulthood. The story is about their beautiful connection, about class and status, about love and sacrifices, betrayal and honesty and pain, so much pain. But above all, the story is a reminder to look adversity in the eye and continue to fight because someone has to. Women are lionhearted, they are warriors and this story is triumphant.

Kamali focuses on the many historical revolutions in Iran and paints a deft picture of the situation in Iran in present times. Her writing is moving and the reader brims with emotion as they read. Highly recommend for fans of The Stationery Shop and readers of Khaled Hosseini.

Thank you Simon and Schuster for the ARC. The Lion Women of Tehran is available now.

In 1950s Iran, the unlikely friendship between Ellie and Homa is of benefit to both young women. As circumstances change for Ellie and her mother and they return to their rich lifestyle, Homa is left behind. Through the following years, both young women make life choices and their ultimate reunion is poignant and touching. Very well written and recommended.

I've been a fan of Marjan's since The Stationary Shop, so I was excited to get an ARC of The Lion Women of Tehran.

Marjan does such an incredible job crafting voice and really letting us inside the heads of the characters that she writes, and it's always a treat to read. In this book, she centers friendship, womenhood, belonging, and what it means to grow into courage or to be 'a lion woman'. What I adored was that it was the setting and culture that really created the lens through which we read a story that may sound like one that's been told a million times before. And, ultimately, that is why I go out to seek authors of different backgrounds because the same story can have so much nuance when new aspects or lenses are brought into it.

As with The Stationary Shop, this is a book that is slow and that takes its time on its journey. I do believe that it works here, though, and I think that all the scenes present are important, so it doesn't read as though it could have been faster or shorter.

3.5 Stars

This is a story about female friendship told against the backdrop of political upheaval in Iran.

In 1950, Elaheh (Ellie) Soltani is seven years old when her father dies. She and her mother are left in reduced circumstances and have to leave their large comfortable home to a tiny home in a poor neighbourhood. On her first day of school, Ellie meets Homa Roozbeh, and the two become best friends despite class differences and different personalities. Though they have different ambitions for their futures, both want to grow up to be lion women who are bold and courageous: “Strong women who make things happen.”

After three years, Ellie and her mother are able to return to their former lifestyle and the two girls are separated until a few years later when Homa reappears in Ellie’s privileged world. The two re-connect and pursue post-secondary educations, but political turmoil and an unintentional betrayal have devastating consequences.

Most of the novel is from Ellie’s perspective; only in the second half is the reader given brief sections from Homa’s first-person point of view. Homa is a lion woman from the beginning; Ellie becomes stronger only later in life, and even then she has to be pushed by others to take positive action. Whereas Homa is always admirable, I found Ellie difficult to like. Though intelligent, she is naive and shallow. Self-centred, she tends to be jealous of others. Her focus is finding a husband and having a family. Homa, on the other hand, is kind, spirited, strong-willed, and resilient. She becomes a political activist committed to women’s rights and is willing to risk her personal safety in order to achieve her mission. When we learn about Homa’s reason for keeping her distance from Ellie, one’s admiration cannot but increase.

The theme is friendship: how true, deep friendships can shape our lives. In the book, the actions and choices of one affect the life of the other. The book opens with a quote which clearly indicates the theme: “Events that seem to appear in the present from out of nowhere in actuality have a long history behind them.” The two girls from different social classes and with their different temperaments create a bond that is unbreakable despite separation, trauma, and revolution.

I also enjoyed the novel’s examination of the mother-daughter relationship. Ellie and her mother have a difficult relationship. Ellie describes her mother as “social-climbing, borderline narcissistic, always seemingly selfish” and “striving, shallow, and infuriating.” As a young girl, she wishes she had a mother more like Homa’s. Ellie too has some of these negative traits, and there is no doubt that her choices are strongly influenced by her mother. Only later does Ellie learn about her mother’s secrets, and she comes to terms with her mother’s failings because there is no doubt that she always loved her daughter.

The book provides interesting insights into Iranian culture. There is, for example, a detailed description of a wedding ceremony, and several instances of Iranian etiquette known as tarof: “the classic thanking and praising of the other and self-deprecation of the self.” Ellie learns to cook from Homa’s mother so there are numerous references to traditional dishes.

Since Homa is so passionate about women’s rights, there is a lot of information about the challenges faced by women in Iran. What is especially interesting is that we see women’s lives under both the Shah and the Ayatollah. Divorce and custody laws were improved and women were granted suffrage during the Shah’s rule; after the Islamic revolution, women’s rights were restricted. Several laws were enacted regarding mandatory veiling and a public dress code for women, and restrictions were removed on men's rights to child marriage. The book ends with reference to Mahsa Amini and the protests after her death.

Though I found the book rather slow at times, it has much to offer readers.

What an absolutely incredible read! First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to Simon and Schuster CA for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This novel introduces us to two young girls from contrasting backgrounds in Tehran. Fate brings them together, forging a beautiful friendship that blossoms during the innocence of childhood. We follow their journey as they grow into remarkable women, each taking different paths yet maintaining a profound connection rooted in their souls.

Prior to reading this book, my knowledge of Iran was minimal at best. I deeply appreciated how the author taught me about the culture, food, and history in such a compelling manner. Although the characters are fictional, their stories reflect the experiences of countless real women whose lives have been fractured, transformed, and reshaped in profound ways. My heart aches for these women who do not experience the freedoms I often take for granted as a woman raised in Canada.

I suggest you pick up this incredibly moving novel not only to explore themes of friendship, female strength, feminism, and love, but also to gain insight into the rich and beautiful culture that often remains obscured by the practices of a fundamentalist patriarchal society. And perhaps to make sure we don't make the same mistakes. There is a very real similarity of rights being slowly revoked in our town time and we have the power to stop it if we could only work toward the same goal together.

The Lion Women of Tehran will be available for purchase or in your local library on July 2 2024

What a beautifully written unreliable-narrator story! Shek Yeung is a young woman from a fishermen’s family when she is captured by pirates, trafficked for sex work, then brought back into piracy by marriage to a captain of a notorious fleet in Southern China. This historical fiction follows Shek Yeung’s struggles to maintain her power over the fleet after her husband’s death, as the emperor cracks down on pirates and allies with foreign powers shortly before the opium wars began. I thought the passages about Shek Yeung’s relationship to motherhood as someone who never chose to be a mother were particularly interesting. Overall, it left me thinking about choices and people’s inability to recognize their own true motivations.

Don’t come to this book expecting fast plot and action scenes. This is a story about a legend, the woman who became one, and the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.

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I was captivated by this new book by author @marjankamali7 - author of the popular book The Stationary Shop - a book I very much enjoyed. A tribute to those deep friendships that are constants throughout one’s life.
Ellie and Homa meet as young girls in Tehran and become thick as thieves. Two girls, different homes, different upbringings, different ideals. A story you might be thinking you’ve read before, but the setting steals the show here. It was really beautifully told against the backdrop of a changing Tehran from 1950 - 1980 during and after the revolution. A compelling story exploring women’s rights, enduring female friendships, class and betrayal. Such vivid descriptions of food and landscape add incredible depth to this novel. I read this in two days! Perfect for book clubs. Not to be missed!
Highly recommend!
Thanks to @simonschusterca for the gifted arc.

Thank you Netgalley & SImon & Schuster Canada for the advanced copy of this great book!
A coming-of-age story set in front of an Iranian backdrop in the 1960s and 1970s. Two girls become friends as children and their friendship takes them on a journey throughout their lives as they support each other to become Lion Women. Lion women are strong and fight for each other. The story has great writing, I'm definitely a Marjan Kamali fan! The characters are richly developed and the Iranian culture is just as much of a character too. I recommend this book!