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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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About this listen

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 Iran Middle East Heartfelt Emotionally Gripping Thought-Provoking
All stars
Most relevant
Beautifully written and narrated! Great representation of real life events. Culturally well represented. Loved every moment.

Beautiful

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An enlightening snd beautifully performed and written book. Will stay in my memory for a long time.

Wonderful

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A Fantastic story! I absolutely loved every minute. A beautiful story of Iranian history, female relationship and the meaning of one’s life.

Phenomenal!!!

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Wasn’t sure what to expect. Seriously an eye opener for me. Beautiful tale of female strength and friendship

Wow.

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A good book. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and the realism of the characters in context. Reminder of all the strong women around the world fighting for their freedom and basic human rights.

Nothing is as it seems

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