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lauren_lovestoread's review
5.0
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Death
okiecozyreader's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
THE LION WOMEN OF YEHRAN splits between two points of view. We meet the main character Ellie (Elaheh) in 1950 as a young girl, as she and her mother have their lives downgraded and move into a small apartment by her uncle. She makes a good friend Homa, who we get to hear from occasionally. Ellie’s mother doesn’t want her to associate with people of a lower class like Homa, but their friendship is rare and uniquely special to both of them. We see their friendship through several ups and downs (alluded to the very first chapter, which gives us some perspective of what will happen by 1980, the end of the book - which has the most interesting culture observations).
I really loved their friendship, which overcame so many obstacles, and that it was the main love of the book.
I got to meet the author in person at Watermark Books in Kansas and she talked about how history books tell you what happened, but fiction books tell you how it made people feel. Her books do this so well; they help us feel and have greater empathy for other people.
I also thought this book has some great men in it! I loved several of the relationships and how loving and supportive the men were (and also in some of the political events for women).
—-
“You know what we'll both become when we grow up?"
"I do not," I said.
"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." P38
“But I should have known that some friendships fracture and rupture beyond belief.” P241 (interesting here in relationship to Iran and America / and interpersonal relationships)
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
alexisgarcia's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
jenpurlteach's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Death, Rape, Police brutality, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Islamophobia
ashleyjean6's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Classism
rachelkreadsbookz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Sexual violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility, Rape, and War
Minor: Infidelity
kaylay1216's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: War and Classism
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Torture
torturedreadersdept's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bekkah_co's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Kamali does an excellent job exploring the friendships of Ellie and Homa during Tehran in the 1950s through to 2022. Kamali has two incredbly strong main characters that come from different backgrounds but are bound together because of childhood friendship and mutual respect. This read is absolutely emotional and demonstrates the resilience of friendship and women.
The pacing is stellar; I couldn't put the book down once I got reading. While not a traditional "summer" read, this book is one I would highly recommend if you are looking for a quick read with substance, rooted within reality.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault