Breakaway Books

Authored by Marjan Kamali; Published July 2024; Historical Fiction

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🏖️

Sometimes, I am amazed by the ability of novels to simultaneously bring me to tears and lift up my heart. The Lion Women of Tehran was one of those.

The novel follows two Iranian women, Elaheh and Homa, as they grow up in the twentieth century in Iran. Homa is passionate about defending the people of Iran, dreams of becoming a judge, and joins the communist party. Elaheh is largely controlled by her mother, who is fixated on preserving her social status. Nonetheless, the two form a tight bond which is tested as Iran changes throughout the decades.

If you are unfamiliar with the modern history of Iran, this is a great introduction. Even if it does not cover all of the ins and outs of the political developments, it does show you what the people of Iran have gone through and especially, the women. Reading about Homa was inspiring, to witness her unchanging devotion to justice despite the costs, and yet, her optimism is painful to look at for too long. I found myself too jaded to think anything but: This woman will get herself killed. 

Elaheh, to me, seemed much more realistic. Loyal to her friend, but afraid of what that loyalty will cost her; ambitious enough to pursue her studies, but willing to let them drop for the dream of a family. Her struggle to help Homa was an honor to behold, because it was just that: an honest struggle. Her guilt, her desire to be a good friend and a good citizen, it all shines through in the narrative. The friendship between the two is the essence of the novel, and it, too, is real. Neither one is a perfect friend, but their love for each other and the willingness to forgive triumphs in the end.

At the end of the novel, I cried: because far too much of this novel was excruciatingly real, and it is still happening. Read The Lion Women of Tehran, and try to be like Homa.