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The Lion Women of Tehran
Marjan Kamali’s The Lion Women of Tehran is a captivating novel that skillfully intertwines history, culture, and personal struggle. The novel follows the lives of two women, Elaheh (Ellie) and Homa, who are often hailed as the “Lion Women” for their remarkable courage and strength. They face a myriad of challenges, from societal norms and family expectations to political unrest and personal tragedies, against the backdrop of Iran’s turbulent history.
The Lion Women of Tehran switches perspective from the present day in the United States to 30 years prior in Iran. Homa and Ellie meet in elementary school and instantly bond. As two outsiders, they are immediately drawn to be each other. However, in the present day, and Ellie and Homa are estranged and have not spoken in years. What could have happened that separated this dynamic duo throughout the chaotic years before Iran’s 1979 revolution? Read The Lion Women of Tehran to learn more about Iran’s history and, more importantly, experience a story of friendship between two women who saved each other through the uncertainty of life.
Reminiscent of Real-Life Shir-Zan
As an Iranian-American woman, I was extremely excited to read The Lion Women of Tehran when it came out in early July. I was thrilled about the prospect of an Iranian woman releasing one of the top books of the summer, and I was intrigued to read the book itself. “Lion Women” or shir-zan is a phrase used colloquially in Iran to describe a fierce, courageous, and brave woman. I knew that a book titled the shir-zan of Tehran could only pull at my heartstrings.
And it certainly did! The story follows Elaheh and Homa’s friendship pre- and post-revolution. I won’t give away the twists and turns, but all I can say is that this book resonated with me because of the September 2022 riots in Iran following Mahsa Amini’s murder. The women of Iran had finally had enough—they were, and continue to be, tired of the oppression that has plagued the country for decades. The women fighting in Iran during the 2022 riots were truly the definition of shir-zan. They ripped off their mandatory headscarves without fear, danced and sang in public (this is illegal *cue eye roll*), and put their bodies on the frontlines of the morality police despite the punishments and imprisonment they knew they would likely experience.
Although the 2022 women’s rights protests only make a small cameo in this novel, the themes of political freedom, fighting for what you believe in, and staying true to yourself are prominent throughout the protagonists’ friendship. Ellie and Homa teach each other these lessons throughout the years as they drift apart and come together. If you want a book about the power of female friendship and the ferocity of being a woman in an oppressive culture, I highly recommend this book. I loved every word and wish I could read it again for the first time.
