Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission on sales. This committee helps Feminist Book Club pay our contributors, so thank you for supporting small independent press!

lion women of tehran

Mariam Kamali’s lion women of tehran This is a riveting novel that deftly interweaves history, culture, and personal struggles. The novel follows the lives of two women, Ellach (played by Ellie) and Homa, who are known as “Lion Women” for their extraordinary courage and strength. Against the backdrop of Iran’s tumultuous history, they face myriad challenges, from social norms and family expectations to political turmoil and personal tragedy.

lion women of tehran Switch the perspective from the United States today to Iran 30 years ago. Homa and Ellie met in elementary school and hit it off immediately. As two outsiders, they were immediately attracted to each other. Today, however, Ellie and Homa are estranged and haven’t spoken in years. What happened in the tumultuous years leading up to Iran’s 1979 revolution that separated the dynamic duo? read lion women of tehran Learn more about the history of Iran and, more importantly, experience the story of a friendship between two women who save each other from life’s uncertainties.

Reminiscent of real life Shir-Zan

As an Iranian-American woman, I was so excited to read lion women of tehran When it comes out in early July. I was excited by the prospect of an Iranian woman publishing one of the summer’s hottest books, and I was interested in reading the book itself. “Leo Woman” or Hirzan is a phrase used in Iranian colloquial language to describe a fierce, courageous, and courageous woman. I know there is a book called Hirzan Everything about Tehran just pulls at my heartstrings.

Indeed! The story follows Erlach and Houma’s friendship before and after the revolution. I won’t reveal the twists and turns, but suffice it to say that this book resonated with me because of the unrest that followed the murder of Mahesa Amini in Iran in September 2022. Iranian women have finally had enough – they have been and continue to be tired of the oppression that has plagued the country for decades. The women who fought during the 2022 unrest in Iran were indeed Hirzan. They were not afraid to tear off their mandatory headscarves and dance and sing in public (which is illegal*Cue eye roll*), and put their bodies on the front lines of the moral police, even though they know they may be punished and imprisoned.

Although the feminist protests of 2022 only make a minor cameo in this novel, the themes of political freedom, fighting for what you believe in, and staying true to yourself are always prominent in the protagonists’ friendship. Ellie and Homer teach each other these lessons over the years as they grow apart and come back together. If you want a book about the power of female friendship and the ferocity of being a woman in an oppressive culture, I highly recommend this book. I loved every word and wish I could read it again.