Life changed dramatically for seven-year-old Elaheh after her father died. Her father’s brother now held the purse strings for Elaheh and her mother. Uncle Massoud forced them to move to a small place at “the bottom of the city.” Gone was the beautiful home her mother had lived in since her marriage at age 16. Gone were the servants. Gone was the money her father made. Gone were her mother’s paintings, jewelry, furniture, all the trappings of a wealthy life. Home now consisted of two rooms with a mattress on the floor where both mother and daughter slept.
Elaheh’s self absorbed, ultra superstitious, mean spirited mother refused to work as having a job was beneath someone who was descended from royalty as she often reminded her daughter.
Ellie spent those early days looking out her window at the neighborhood children playing in the streets. Forbidden to join them, she could only dream about having a friend.
As their first summer in the slums drew to a close, Elaheh’s mother announced that she had registered her daughter for first grade. Ellie was so excited for school and knew that there she would finally find her perfect friend.
But the kind, gentle friend of her dreams never appeared. Instead, a curly haired, loud, boisterous, girl with mischief in her eyes became her BFF. Her name was Homa and she was so different from what Ellie had imagined her best friend would be. Homa and her family welcomed Ellie. But her own mother refused to allow Homa to come home with Ellie. In spite of the prejudice and hate her mother spewed about Homa and her family, the girls built a solid friendship. And together they were going to grow up and follow their dreams.
Their bond of friendship was strong with ups and downs throughout their lives. Both girls had dreams. Homa was the idealist - a fighter, an activist, wanting to make changes for the women in her beloved country while Ellie was a gentle soul, who wanted a college education, a husband and children. Both dreams were shattered as Iran’s political climate changed and the Sha was ousted.
This beautifully written story is told in flashbacks from 1950 to 2022. This is a story of two little girls who grew up in an ever changing country. It is a story of courage, friendship, women’s rights (or lack of them), Iranian culture, and political unrest. Written by the author who brought us The Stationary Shop, Marjan Kamila has woven an engaging and timely story about the strength and beauty of the women living in Iran. Don’t miss this five star novel.
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Popular Highlights in this book
That’s how losses of rights build. They start small. And then soon, the rights are stripped in droves.Highlighted by 1,368 Kindle readers- “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.”Highlighted by 934 Kindle readers
- Events that seem to appear in the present from out of nowhere in actuality have a long history behind them.Highlighted by 745 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
About the author
The Lion Women of Tehran
“So when you see the women screaming in Iran for their rights, please remember dear Leily that the force and fury of our screams have been gathering power for years.“❇️ Genre: Historical fiction❇️ Steamy rating: Mild❇️ Profanity: MildThe Lion Women of Tehran is my second 5-star read of the year, and it was incredible. The story follows two female childhood friends in Tehran, Iran, who were raised in very different circumstances. Despite political turmoil and a falling-out, their bond remains strong in unexpected ways.I especially appreciated the historical aspect of the book, which offered insight into Iran’s transformation and how it became the country it is today. The characters were great. I adored both friends, their distinct personalities, and the complexity of their unique friendship.Triggers: Rape, murder, terrorist attack, political unrest, brutality, and alcohol poisoning
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2024
- Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2025
“So when you see the women screaming in Iran for their rights, please remember dear Leily that the force and fury of our screams have been gathering power for years.“
❇️ Genre: Historical fiction
❇️ Steamy rating: Mild
❇️ Profanity: Mild
The Lion Women of Tehran is my second 5-star read of the year, and it was incredible. The story follows two female childhood friends in Tehran, Iran, who were raised in very different circumstances. Despite political turmoil and a falling-out, their bond remains strong in unexpected ways.
I especially appreciated the historical aspect of the book, which offered insight into Iran’s transformation and how it became the country it is today. The characters were great. I adored both friends, their distinct personalities, and the complexity of their unique friendship.
Triggers: Rape, murder, terrorist attack, political unrest, brutality, and alcohol poisoning
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
- Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2025
- Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2024
- Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025
Top reviews from other countries
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on February 21, 2025
good to know what has happened and happening today in Iran through this book
- patricia anne scanesReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2025
Amazing author
- Sonia bhardwajReviewed in India on July 23, 2024
An amazing book.
The Lion Women of Tehran is a story of friendship,love, betrayal, politics and a constant longing for freedom. Freedom that the novel seeks is not just of a nation by its women. It shouts for liberty, equality and opportunities that women in every land deserves. Ellie and Homa forged a bond of friendship that has its own challenges. It undergoes the testing of time only to emerge stronger than ever. Homa is the spirit that Ellie seeks throughout her life. She is the passion, commitment and courage that every woman will welcome in her life. Her vigour is infectious. Power hates question and absolute power lothes it. It poses a challenge to those who enjoy the formidable status. Homa thus is a challenge to them. They try to crush her spirit, her purpose of life. She is imprisoned, raped and tortured. The brief fear of survival gives way to her insurmountable commitment for equality and respect for women rights. It's not just a novel but a cry for the respect and security that a woman deserves. Ellie is her safe haven, her home, her love they dream of becoming Lion women of Tehran. Their friendship makes the reader long for similar bonding. Their strength is their bonding which stands rock solid when faced with authorities. It is their protection against the evil eye. Their lifetime is a tale of commitment for each other and for all women who desire and deserve freedom.Sonia bhardwajAn amazing book.
Reviewed in India on July 23, 2024
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- Neil DavisReviewed in Australia on January 2, 2025
Fascinating story to help appreciate Iran’s history
