(3.5 stars)
"We are cubs now, maybe. But we will grow to be lionesses. Strong women who make things happen."
This is a solid book about female friendship against the changing backdrop of Iran from the 1950s to the 2020s. I suspect it will appeal to anyone who liked [book:My Brilliant Friend|35036409]. The Lion Women of Tehran covers the evolving struggle for women’s rights in Iran, which is not a linear journey toward progress, but living with the constant threat of going backwards: "Do they know what will happen if the religious fundamentalists take over? We'll go back decades—centuries!"

The book centres upon the friendship of two young women, Elaheh and Homa, from age seven across their full lifetimes, despite them having very different class backgrounds: "Homa wanted to pour her life into politics. I wanted to enjoy a life devoid of it." It's a bit naive in places, and linear, presenting a homogeneous face of Persian women all wanting to be free of the hijab: "All around me, girls wore the latest fashions from Europe. Their hair was coiffed and piled high—not covered in hijab." The reality of course is more complex. However as a mostly sweet feminist tale of women's rights and female friendship, it's a winner.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed so many aspects of this book, but something that felt off to me, a thought shared by other reviewers too, is the mention of side characters fleeing from Iran to Israel, at a time where Palestinians were being displaced from the land which is theirs, from the homes that to this day they still hold the keys to.

Additionally, this book should have been primarily from Homa's point of view, not Ellie's. Ellie in a place of privilege (though still having her own personal struggles), I feel does not have the more compelling story of the two, nor the circumstances to discuss the full breadth of what this book is trying to achieve.

This historical novel tracks the lives of two seven year olds, Ellie and Homa, who meet in the impoverished downtown of Tehran in the 1950s. Ellie moved there with her mother from a wealthier part of town after her father died and her mother was bitter and depressed about moving there. Even though Homa’s family were poor, Ellie was jealous that she had a father who worked hard in a restaurant, a loving mother who taught both girls how to cook as well as a little sister and baby brother. Ellie’s mother didn’t encourage Ellie’s friendship with Homa and, after she remarried and they were able to move back to the wealthier part of town, did all she could to prevent the girls keeping in touch. However, after leading separate and very different lives, they would reconnect in a profound way in later years.

This is a well written tale of female friendship during a time of great change and social unrest in Iran. Homa is a brave, fearless girl brought up to believe she can become whoever she wants and has set her sights on becoming a judge who will fight for justice for everyone. In the 1950s and beyond times were changing for women with education and employment encouraged. That is, up until 1973 when the Iranian revolution would return Iran to Islamic law and women to the dark ages, where their role was to cover up, be silent, bear children and serve the family. While Ellie would marry and escape to a different life, Homa would carry on fighting for the equality Iranian women deserve and the right to choose how they live their lives.

Although I wasn’t very taken with Ellie and her lack of ambition, I loved Homa and the themes of feminism and activism and the gratitude I feel for living in a country where women have access to education and the freedom to be who they want to be.

My favourite quote form the book:
”Shir zan. Lionesses. Us. Can’t you just see it, Ellie? Someday, you and me—we’ll do great things. We’ll live life for ourselves. And we will help others. We are cubs now, maybe. But we will grow to be lionesses. Strong women who make things happen.”

Set across 70 years of political unrest and revolution in Iran, The Lion Women of Tehran tells the story of two girls drawn together by love and circumstance who live very different lives.

There’s heartbreak and sacrifice and bravery but the overriding theme of the book is love. It is insightful, heartbreaking, heartwarming and an absolute masterpiece,

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in return for my honest review, this is a book I will buy, cherish and pass onto friends and family to read.

I have just found a new favourite author , yessss...it's Marjan Kamali

This is a beautiful story of friendship between Ellie and Homa. Both have different character and temperament, different upbringing, but they find friendship in each other. When Ellie was just seven years old, she lived just with her mother downtown in an unsafe neighbourhood. She met Homa for the first time at school, and the friendship just bloomed.

Over time and life changing circumstances, they drifted apart, but they reunited again in New York. The story stretched from 1950's to 1980's from Tehran to New York, and you'll follow their journey through their ups and downs of adolescence, the fractures of betrayal when they were young women, and the reunion when rebuilt their friendship.

Within a story of friendship, it also brought up the theme of feminism, Iran's politics following the Iranian Revolution in the 70s and 80s, social injustice, and immigration. The storyline of how these Iranian women fought for their freedom and equality made me shiver. This book will give you an emotional roller coaster, and I did not feel this story is enough, I still want more of these characters and their next generations.

'With my pen, I hope to show you, dear reader, the joys and losses and loves and hopes and dreams and worries of two girls from Iran...I hope in their hopes, you see some of yours. I hope from their tale, you sense that all our hearts are one'.

In 1953 Tehran, there is a burgeoning hope for women. Whispers of modernisation has allowed schoolgirls to dream of attending university and having a career. When 7 year old Ellie, meets Homa at her new school, the girls become inseparable. Though they are from differing social circles, they are kindred hearts. However, when an event is misconstrued, resulting in an inadvertent betrayal, their bond is severed and their lives continue down divergent paths - not only from each other but from their childhood dreams.

This is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of political instability and unrest. It is told softly; unfurling from a sweet naivety, to a stark reality, leaving a stinging poignancy, 'We played and dreamed the world would be ours...we dared to believe two girls from Iran could have not just a little but actually all'. This story will make you reflect on loyalty, friendship, what it means to be a woman and the ties that bond humanity. It shines a light on how easily we take democracy for granted and forget that it is a right for which people have fought and continue to fight for. If you don't stand up for something, you settle for anything - whether that's for your friends, family, city or country.

'For a lifetime we have fought. We have fought and fought and fought. We want to be free. We want to be equal. We want to be able to live our lives'.

“‘You know what we’ll both become when we grow up?’ ‘I do not,’ I said.
‘Shir zan. Lionesses. Us. … We are cubs now, maybe. But we will grow to be lionesses. Strong women who make things happen.’”

One of the most beautiful and moving stories I have read this year. Incredible.

In 1950s Tehran, Ellie lives a wealthy and privileged life, until the death of her father forces her and her mother to move downtown. She meets spirited Homa, and they become fast friends. From that fateful meeting, the story of Ellie and Homa grows, changes, and becomes tied up with the politics of 20th century Iran.

“The gift Homa had always given was simply to be my friend. Unconditionally.”

This story really pulled at my heartstrings. The writing is completely immersive, it felt like I dove into 1950s Tehran and beyond. Following Ellie and Homa through the decades was a heartfelt journey. I really felt the depth of the friendship and love shared between these two women, as well as the people around them. The story perfectly explores the complexities of friendship and how it can change as we grow up and life continually throws unexpected obstacles our way.

A beautiful story of deep love, sacrifice, overcoming incredible adversity, and the power of women, especially when we work together.

“She comes from lion women. From a line of women so strong, no one can destroy them.”

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for this ARC.

I absolutely loved The Stationary Shop of Tehran and was excited to see Marjan had a new book out. The Lion Women of Tehran is the engaging and touching story of the complex friendship between Ellie and Homa. The two meet as 7 year olds and despite come from very different background and forge a lasting friendship that had its up and downs. I particularly enjoyed seeing them meet and bond over food as their friendship grew before deciding that they would become lion women. Set between Tehran and New York, from the 1950 to 2022, it was very interesting to learn about the religious, political and social change in Iran during this time. Kamali covers the history well and explores a number of relevant topics over the time such social class, women’s rights and political activism. A beautiful story of two amazing women and I’m glad to have spent the time getting to know them both.