The Lion Women of Tehran

Yeah, I finally read The Lion Women of Tehran, written by Marjan Kamali.

I have missed two in person opportunities to meet Marjan and listen to her speak about her book.  That is disappointing. But I did finally sit down and read the book and I am so glad I did.  This is a powerful, fast moving, intimate look at the life of women living in Tehran during the 1950s through the 70s.  You will not put the book down once you start reading.  You will not be able to wait to make sure the characters you become close to are safe.  

Kamali makes the characters so human and likable you will be invested in their successes and failures.  You will be concerned when they suffer and cheer when they are succeed.

Ellie at the age of seven and her mother are forced to move from the wealthy neighborhood of Terhan to a small home in a poor neighborhood when her father dies unexpectedly.  Her mother always concerned with her standing in society tries to keep Ellie from making friends with Homa, a girl from the neighborhood.  Ellie does not understand her mother's opinions and rebels.  Homa and Ellie will be live long friends. 

When her mother remarries her Uncle he brings them back to the wealthy society that her mother feels comfortable in.  The girls are separated and Ellie is now a popular student in a fancy school.  Homa works hard to pull herself up and attend the same high school and reappears in Ellie's life. Homa is a strong person with a great self image.  She is herself wherever she is.  Ellie is the weaker person, not secure in herself, needing to fit in and follow the crowd.

Though the girls have different dreams in life, they connect and separate many times because their friendship really runs deep.  Life experiences bring them together and tear them apart over and over again.

Against the backdrop of Iran's history we follow Homa and Ellie through college and marriages,,, through the country struggling with political turmoil toward democracy.

This book will bring back all the news stories of the 1970s and 80s, The Iran Hostage Crisis, the Shah leaving Iran in disgrace and the Iran Revolution and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini.  

Ellie now married moves to New York in the 1980s.  She is following the news about Iran from there.  Homa is a part of the women's resistance movement in Iran trying to get women's rights. 

With many twists and unexpected turns this is a fabulous story about the power of friendship, and the tenacity of "Lion Women"fierce, courageous, and brave women.