Reviews with content warning for Rape - The Lion Women of Tehran

This book focuses on two girls that are experiencing a change in the Iranian political system. We know from the very start that they haven't spoken in years, in the very first chapter we receive a note from one of the girls to the other saying that they need to talk after they haven't spoken in years. So we start off the book knowing that something is going to happen but we aren't sure what but somehow they are not going to be the best friends that we are seeing at the very beginning as children. So we find out that these two friends are living through a very large shift in Iran. The girls are able to go to school, they are going thinking about college and Ellie, the main perspective that we're seeing in this book, she has unfortunately adapted a lot of her mother's ideals. And she just wants to be popular she wants to be wealthy. And our other main friend, Homa, she wants change, she wants to be a lawyer, and she wants the rights of the people to be seen and we find out she, like her father, is a member of the communist party. It is interesting the direction this story takes ,because at the very beginning they're talking about being lion women and so far Homa has definitely exhibited that behavior and so I'm very interested to see how our friend Ellie will exhibit being a lion. This is very compelling story and I didn't even realize how quickly I was reading it until all the sudden I was over halfway through in a day. So apparently, I've realized I like historical fiction again.

I'm having trouble putting my thoughts into words as I finish this book. It was very powerful and consuming. Obviously I read it very quickly it only took me about a day and a half. I did slightly tear up at the end. I cannot say enough how courageous both women are in their own way

but especially Homa who continued to fight for what she believed in, from a very young age all the way up until she was an old women,

it's just amazing. These characters did not feel fictional they felt real. I felt like I was reading someone's memoir of a time when they went through something with their friend and somehow came out on the other side. I highly recommend this book, it is very “appropriate” for this time because I know that this is still happening, what has happened in 2022 in Iran and what I'm sure continues to happen there and throughout the world and what so many are afraid of happening here in America but in a different way. We as women stand together because these are not unprecedented times, it has happened before. We need each other, and as Homa says “…the force and fury of our screams have been gathering power for years…. Remember above all to always love. Love madly”

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alyssa524's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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nataliebootlah's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

“Shir zan. A woman with the courage of a lion.”

This gave me the FEEEEELS. I haven’t been touched by a book like this in a long time, what a gift!

I knew next to nothing about the Iranian Revolution prior to reading this. Despite that, Kamali beautifully mixed fiction with historical facts to tell the tale of two young girls from different socio-economic classes become fierce friends. This is their story. The themes of girlhood, feminism, courage, political upheaval, resilience, and friendship—among others—portrayed in this story are relatable and incredibly timely.

There were moments that had me laughing, crying, and rereading portions due to their profoundness. Sadly, it does not go unnoticed that the struggle for women’s rights seen in these pages is reminiscent of what many women around the world still face today, even here in America. And yet, this story sprinkles a bit of light into the darkness.

What a truly fascinating, heartfelt read! One of the best I’ve read this year so far.

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jfortney23's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was a beautiful book. It was hard to read because it reads like a cautionary tale for women losing their rights gradually until we look back and don't know what happened.

I loved the friendship and culture and history of this book. It was well written and kept me engaged start to finish.

I would have given 5 stars except for the epilogue. It is written as a letter from one character to another that explains what happened after the last chapter. It felt off, and there is one mention that conflicts with the last chapter of the book.

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annamay1021's review

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adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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agnesbebon's review

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4.0

Girl, it’s so confusing sometimes to be a girl

Very well written, very interesting. I love a story about a decades long friendship, I love a story about women resisting and learning and growing and being politically active. I did find that the few chapters where the POV switched didn’t flow as well but overall a very engaging and powerful book.

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llamallama527's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Probably the easiest five stars I've ever given a book. The narration is impeccable. The story is incredible. I learned so much - about history, about Iranian culture, and more. And it's current relevance (I'm thinking specifically of the U.S. but I know it's relevant elsewhere as well) is astounding. A beautiful story of family and friendship, of betrayal and forgiveness, of despair and hope, of fear and love. Just incredible.

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arand's review

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dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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