The Lion Women of Tehran is Marjan Kamali’s newest release and I cannot contain my excitement. I fell in love with The Stationery Shop and have been awaiting another book from her since I closed the back cover, unwilling to let the smells and senses of food and cooking from my mind. The Lion Women of Tehran has not disappointed on that front either, reinforcing my appreciation for cultures where food is of rich importance and custom. That is not all though, as The Lion Women of Tehran delves into a pivotal era of Iran’s modern history, especially for women.

In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie life changes drastically as the sudden death of her father forces 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. On the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind, passionate girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. The two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colourful 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. Years later, now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. However, Homa’s 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. The Lion Women of Tehran is a sweeping exploration of how profoundly we are shaped by those we meet when we are young, and the way love and courage transforms our lives.

One of my favourite things about Marjan Kamali’s writing is her love and care of food, cooking, and bringing the culture and community aspect of the story alive through food. There is never a meal that I don’t salivate over in her work, and The Lion Women of Tehran is further proof of that. While it is not a main theme in this book, it is an undeniable part of the culture and history of Tehran, Iran, and the Iranian people. It is indicative of one of the main themes of this book which is love. Sisterly love. The love of friendship. The love of family of blood and bond. There are many moments where food is shared in this novel, and several times where the want to share food – and the moment – with others is acknowledged. It makes for a well-rounded element to reading which is pleasant, nostalgic, and relatable.

In this novel, we moved through decades of great significance in Iran’ recent history, starting int he 1950s and entering the 1980s. For those who are unfamiliar with Iran’s history, like I was going into this read, it explains the multiple layers and sides of the political chessboard in varying levels as our protagonist grows up. It indicates the social scrutiny and uncertainty faced voicing your views in public, as well as the changing laws and attitudes dictated by those in power. I don’t know a lot, so I won’t say any more, but it is a fascinating part of modern history to look into and one that holds not only great weight but many lessons.

Sisterhood, friendship, women’s rights, and a woman’s role in society are all themes brought up through this read. It is interesting to see two opposite personalities such as Ellie and Homa interact at different times in their lives. Ellie is a more submissive, traditional girl who, while interesting in learning things at a young age, find her drive to further her academics largely a result of Homa’s tenacious fiery spirit and attitude toward change, empowerment, and a woman’s right to be educated. As you may be able to guess, these perspectives clash later in their young adult years, but their love and friendship is a constant enduring force. I have not finished the book as I write this, but I have a feeling I know which direction this is going to go in, and I can only prepare myself with bwonie and tissues as the final 90 pages await me.

The Lion Women of Tehran is a phenomenal read, full of feminine drive, empowerment, vivaciousness and intent. It is novel that needs to be on the lists for female empowerment books. It is a read you need to add to your TBRs right now. It is a slice of history we need to remind ourselves of and learn from because the lessons learnt then now are applicable to many social issues we see today. Marjan Kamali is a blessing, a poet, a wonder and an auto-buy author of mine. After this read (and The Stationery Shop) she may be one of yours too.