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The Lion Women of Tehran

The life-affirming BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick

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The Lion Women of Tehran

By: Marjan Kamali
Narrated by: Mozhan Navabi, Nikki Massoud
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 A BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK

'As heart-wrenching as it is achingly beautiful' Sadeqa Johnson, author of The House of Eve

'Heartbreaking and life affirming' Adrienne Brodeur, author of Little Monsters

'Courage, friendship, loyalty, hardship, love – this novel has everything' Mary Beth Keane, Ask Again, Yes

From the author of The Stationery Shop of Tehran, a heartfelt, epic new novel of friendship, betrayal and redemption set against three transformative decades in Tehran, Iran.

In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams of a friend to alleviate her isolation.

Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind, passionate girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions for becoming 'lion women.'

But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives.

Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences.

Praise for Marjan Kamali

‘Evocative, devastating, and hauntingly beautiful’ Whitney Scharer, author of The Age of Light

‘A beautifully immersive tale’ Jasmin Darznik, author of The Good Daughter and Song of a Captive Bird

‘At once masterfully plotted, beautifully written, and populated by characters who are arresting, lovable and so real’ Elinor Lipman, author of Turpentine Lane

‘A sweeping romantic tale of thwarted love’ Kirkus Reviews

‘Enchanting’ My Weekly 20th Century Coming of Age Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Political Women's Fiction Women's Voices Iran Middle East Heartfelt Emotionally Gripping Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking
All stars
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I loved this book, full of love, family & friendship.
Beautiful descriptions of Iran & the culture.
Also devastating.

Brilliant & informative

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loved it from beginning to end .Really enjoyed the characters .Beautiful narration A lovely story about friendship and perseverance

A wonderful srory

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Marjan Kamali has once again woven words so eloquently about such horrendous events, this time depicting the phenomenal strength of women that fought, and still fight, to make changes so many of us take for granted else where in the world.

I couldn’t wait to start reading this book, it’s been on my radar since I finished The Stationery Shop of Tehran back in 2021, even before it was actually announced, I just wanted to read more as Marjan’s words were so captivating and really draw you into the story.

Despite looking forward to reading this, I was almost reluctant to begin as I knew that no sooner had I started reading, it would be over far too quickly and I would be left wanting more. I was right, but what a way to end my 2024 reading.

Beautifully written; heartbreaking, empowering.

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A stunning, moving story that will stay with me forever. Beautifully written and narrated, and links many historic events which everyone should know about.

So powerful

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I have nothing in common with the characters other than a shared gender. But the way this book is written makes them so vivid and relatable, and humanises an entire gender’s struggle in Iran in a way that was beyond what I could have hoped for when I got this book. This sort of historical story-telling from female perspectives is my favourite genre of novel, and the Lion Women of Tehran is an absolute gem in the genre. Absolutely loved it, would happily read (listen) many times over.

Beautiful, relatable story

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