From best-selling author, Marjan Kamali, The Lion Women of Tehran is a deeply moving historical novel. Dedicated to the ‘brave women of Iran’, it remains just as relevant today as the period in which it’s set.
‘Shir zan. Lionesses. Us … Someday, you and me—we’ll do great things … And we will help others. We are cubs now, maybe. But we will grow to be lionesses. Strong women who make things happen.’ So says Homa, the best-friend of the protagonist, Ellie, after the election of a reformist prime minister whose mission is to modernise Iran. Homa is a working-class girl from the slums, where she met upper-middle class Ellie after the death of the latter’s father. Under law, the estate passed to the closest male heir, Ellie’s Uncle, who evicted the family and sent them to the slums, the old rookeries of the ancient city. Although Ellie is inspired by Homa’s passion, Ellie’s determination to speak out politically is muffled by her family position, impacting her relationship with Homa…
The Lion Women of Tehran uses Iran’s turbulent revolutionary history as a backdrop to the story of two friends from different backgrounds, in a period of political upheaval when women’s rights were being challenged and new rules are implemented: ‘Rumours circulate that the hijab will soon be mandatory. First they’ll say it’s required only in government offices or shops. Then schools. Eventually, we worry, we will lose the freedom of choice altogether.’ Any women who protest these laws are quickly subjected to male violence as their culture changes unrecognisably around them.
Ellie is challenged by her beliefs, social status and desire for stability. Homa is inspired by her communist father and has nothing to lose. But Homa’s loyalty towards Ellie is not reciprocated by Ellie, and Homa is faced with hard decisions that break her heart, leaving Ellie with a sense of both guilt and obligation.
The Lion Women of Tehran is a page-turning story, with a flow and elegance that is a signature of Kamali. The narrative is mostly from the point of view of Ellie, however, there are multiple chapters from Homa’s perspective to reveal important information that would not be accessible to Ellie. This is when the narrative becomes more serious. Kamali uses year stamps on her chapters to show the process of time and change, and this is particularly useful as we follow these characters through their lives and the life of their country, now governed by Sharia Law.
This novel provides an insight into Iran’s political past and the challenges faced by Iranian women; challenges that are still occurring in present day Iran. The Lion Women of Tehran is a must-read for anyone interested in Iranian culture, while also dealing with the more universal themes of friendship, misogyny, social-class, women’s rights and war.
BOOK DETAILS
Released: 21 November 2024
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 336
Rating: (4.5 stars)
Genres: Historical Fiction
