The Lion Women of Tehran

De: Marjan Kamali

Narrado por: Mozhan Navabi, Nikki Massoud

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

An “evocative read and a powerful portrait of friendship, feminism, and political activism” (People) set against three transformative decades in Tehran, Iran—from nationally bestselling author Marjan Kamali.

In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams for a friend to alleviate her isolation.

Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions of becoming “lion women.”

But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives.

Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences.

“Reminiscent of The Kite Runner and My Brilliant Friend, The Lion Women of Tehran is a mesmerizing tale” (BookPage) of love and courage, and a sweeping exploration of how profoundly we are shaped by those we meet when we are young.

©2024 Marjan Kamali (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Friendship and women’s rights in Iran

I enjoyed this book very much. I have to say I didn’t like the main character very much, but I did love the friendship she had with Homa. I also liked learning more about Iran and the oppression of women there.

incredible story

Wow. The characters in The Lion Women of Tehran were so incredibly brave and felt so real. This story taught me so much about Iranian history in the second half of the twentieth century, about which I previously knew very little. It's a gripping story that was entertaining, informative, and inspiring. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in stories about strong women, Iran, or twentieth century politics. The narrators did a great job performing the audiobook.

the authentic narration

I finished this book in two days- such a soul stirring story about two friends amidst revolution . really enjoyed listening to the story

The friendships

This book was amazing! Loved learning more about the Lion Women of Iran. This story of friendship was unforgettable!Perfect narration!

So good

I’ve been listening to books about other country’s for months, this one got me in the gut. Not going to get political but so much of what happened to Iran I feel it here now.

Heroic women

What would you do for love? For freedom? For family? For friends?
This beautiful novel explores the answers to these questions amid the backdrop of Iranian culture from the 1950s through to the present.
It is an extraordinary experience!

Great

So well done
Wonderful story of friendship and resistance
So good
Can’t recommend it enough

Historical, friendship, beautifully written. A ten!

I hated when it was over! It will be a hard book to follow. And to think those same issues plague Iran today.

The exactness and delicacy of the story

This was such an incredible story; so heartwarming and yet heart wrenching, breathtaking and sweet. Marjan Kamali is obviously a very talented author. And the narration was great. It couldn’t be better.

Iranian Women strong!¹

I loved this story of the strength and resilience of the Iranian women! The revolution will come, led by these strong women.