The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

Discover the life-affirming and heart-wrenching epic from Marjan Kamali, author of The Stationery Shop of Tehran. This novel, selected as a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick, explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption set against three transformative decades in Tehran, Iran.

Key Features & Themes

• A heartfelt, epic novel focusing on friendship and loyalty.
• Set against the backdrop of political turmoil in Tehran, Iran, spanning from the 1950s onwards.
• Tells the story of Ellie and Homa, two girls who dream of becoming 'lion women.'
• Explores themes of courage, hardship, love, and the consequences of earth-shattering betrayal.
• Praised as 'evocative, devastating, and hauntingly beautiful' and 'heartbreaking and life affirming.'

Synopsis Highlights

The story begins in 1950s Tehran, following seven-year-old Ellie whose life changes after her father's death, forcing her and her mother into a smaller home. Ellie finds solace in her friendship with Homa, a passionate girl with an irrepressible spirit. Their bond is tested when Ellie returns to a privileged life, causing her memories of Homa to fade. Years later, Homa's reappearance alters both their lives as they pursue their futures amidst escalating political unrest in Iran.

Specifications

• Author: Kamali, Marjan
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Print Length: 336 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Publication Date: November 21, 2024
• Edition: Heruitgave (Reprint)
• ISBN-10: 1398534757
• ISBN-13: 978-1398534759
• Dimensions: 130 x 20 x 198mm
• Weight: 240g

Experience this beautifully immersive tale of coming of age and enduring friendship against a powerful historical setting.