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clairebartholomew549's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
This is a really striking story about generational change, what it means to fight for justice in your own way, lifelong friendships, and making peace or making waves. I felt deeply for both Homa and Ellie, and I learned so much about Iran. This book also had vivid descriptions of food that had my mouth watering, and it told a beautiful story of how food connects us and has so many memories and significance. The love story between Homa and Eleah really starts and ends with food, and it was a really meaningful throughline. It also made me very hungry, lol!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Classism
cdkm9's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
An amazing novel that was hard to put down. The author brings the reader along a rollercoaster of a journey through both the horrible and lighthearted/joyful moments in Ellie and Homa’s lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, and War
Minor: Drug abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Rape, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
okiecozyreader's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I am so grateful to Marjan Kamali sharing her family’s culture from Iran with us. Her stories are so helpful to see these loving Iranian families and get to experience their culture, language and food, too! (I loved how many words and phrases we got to see translated. I feel like so many books seem to talk in American language and I liked how this one gave me more insight into real conversation).
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)
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)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism