Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

5 reviews

nehaanna's review

emotional 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

4.0

This is a lovely story to introduce the history of Iran and fall into extremist dictatorship to those who are not aware of it. Told through the eyes of two young women, the history of Iran unfolds around them. The novel covers a lot of time and political events, so sometimes the timing is rushed. As it stands, the last chapter or so is rushed, and feels a touch out of place in compared to the rest of the pacing of the story. However, the book has a relevant and well fleshed out theme that needs to be heard today. Feminism and the rights of women are a global struggle, a global war, against religious extremist groups, dictators, and so called democracies here in America. This book introduces those unfamiliar to this struggle in a new light. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

crystaljacksonwriter's review

dark emotional hopeful slow-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

4.25

This started slowly for me, but by the time the story transitions into college years, I was hooked. This was a beautiful story of both friendship and the power of women to change lives. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Death of parent and Classism

Minor: Body shaming, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and War

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. 

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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

readalongwithyasmin's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Violence, and Gaslighting

ashleyjean6's review

challenging emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• 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

Very good book, but as I anticipated, a difficult read. I loved the writing and character development, the vivid descriptions of food and clothes and setting. It's incredible to read about Iran before the revolutions and to know they're still being controlled by extremists today. 

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Content Warnings

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