Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

40 reviews

leslie_overbookedsocialworker's review

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emotional hopeful informative 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


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bookwitch's review

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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? Yes

3.75

While not AS heavy as another book I read this same year (that takes place in a similar time/area), it was still so very informative of what it might have been like to live through that history. What I find so interesting is that when you look for books about World History, you would think events like the ones that took place in this book and others, would have been a big chapter, but they are still to this day, whitewashed out of our history. It is devastating, and shameful that western education has excluded cultures like Ellie and Homa's, and the events that took place in the not so distant past. 
I did not absolutely love the story as a whole, but that does not take away from how upsetting it was to read about their experiences with a politically tumultuous Iran, and how their wealth/classes effected how they ended up. I very much enjoyed reading about Iran's history, and from female perspectives, though I did not always agree that these particular character's actions were smart or understandable. 

Following the friendship of Ellie and Homa through time, and distance, this book explores a lot of interesting themes of friendship and what someone is willing to do for their friends. 
Another one I read for book club, that I wouldn't have necessarily picked up for myself, and ended up really enjoying.

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meg_nieds's review

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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sarahbsews's review

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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abigaelf's review

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challenging hopeful inspiring 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

4.75


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clairebartholomew549's review

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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!

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ivi_reads_books's review

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dark emotional informative sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

This novel presents 20th-century Iranian history through the perspectives of two girls, and later women, who respond very differently to the political upheavals that shape their country. I found their complex friendship fascinating, and I learned a great deal about Iran’s history along the way. 

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j9wan's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Entrancing, informative. I'm glad for this book. Not a strong plot, but it works here.

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serendipitysbooks's review

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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.
 

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hannamlindsley's review

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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


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