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serendipitysbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
An engagingly told coming of age story that explores the complexities of female friendship, mother-daughter relationships, women's rights, emigration, and self-sacrifice, which is set primarily in Iran in the 1950s -1980s, primarily in Iran but also the United States. Elaheh and Homa really came to life, particularly Homa's idealism and Ellie's guilt at what she had unknowingly done. The changing political landscape was well-integrated into the story, but it never dominated. Enough background and context were included to keep the reader anchored, but it never felt like an information dump. I loved the many references to Iranian culture, customs, and food, which contributed to an immersive reading experience. The concept of shir zan, or lion women, strong women who strive to survive and make better lives for themselves and others is always one that I enjoy reading about, and one that sadly is as pertinent as ever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Rape and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage
hannamlindsley's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, and War
Moderate: Infertility, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
micaelamariem's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a heartbreaking story set in the backdrop of the Iranian revolution and our two friends, one more politically minded than the other but both want reform in their own ways. The book expertly navigates the themes of coming of age, family, friendship, feminism, and even jealousy with the idea of an “evil eye.”
The book had me enraptured. It was well written, descriptive, had compelling characters that caused me to care about them despite their flaws, and taught me more about Iranian history that I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know. And the sad thing is, Iran is still facing the same unfair policies today. If I learned anything from the book, is that we must keep fighting for what’s right, no matter the cost.
The book had me enraptured. It was well written, descriptive, had compelling characters that caused me to care about them despite their flaws, and taught me more about Iranian history that I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know. And the sad thing is, Iran is still facing the same unfair policies today. If I learned anything from the book, is that we must keep fighting for what’s right, no matter the cost.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Classism
pomoevareads's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
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
4.0
A beautiful and heartrending story of the strength of female friendship, women’s rights and activism in Tehran set against the backdrop of the revolution.
Kamali has written some special characters in The Lion Women of Tehran. Ellie and Homa meet as seven year old girls in Tehran’s downtown where Ellie and her mother have had to move because of a change to their financial situation. Ellie is envious of the close knit family of Homa and wishes she could be part of their family. Her own mother, comes across as selfish and snobbish and doesn’t allow Ellie to invite her new friend Homa to their home. Ellie’s mother sees Homa as below their station. The young girls are inseparable and it isn’t until Ellie and her mother move back to their uptown area of past that the bonds between the girls are strained. We see them come together again for a time and then a pivotal event creates a divide between them. Then many years later, one of the women sends a letter to the other with a request. That is where the story begins.
I had been hearing great things about this book and knew I had to get my hands on it. I am so glad I did as I feel better for having read it. Many of my friends growing up had families that had left Iran because of the politics. I have a love for the food and remember being schooled on how to hold the sugar cube in my mouth when I drank tea from special cups. I feel this book would be a good introduction to the changes in Iran over the last 75 years and a snapshot of where it sits today in comparison.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Rape, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
louiepotterbook's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War