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BOOK OF THE MONTH

The Lion Women of Tehran

From the nationally bestselling author of the "powerful, heartbreaking" (Shelf Awareness) The Stationery Shop, a heartfelt, epic new novel of friendship, betrayal, and redemption set against three transformative decades in Tehran, Iran.

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Published Aug 5, 2025

352 pages

Average rating: 8.42

1,441 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *The Lion Women of Tehran* offers a compelling look at friendship, feminism, and political unrest in Iran from the 1950s onward. Many appr...

novelthoughtswithamy
Sep 30, 2025
10/10 stars
This is a great book! I enjoyed learning about the characters past and how they got to the books beginning. It was a great representation of friendship, sisterhood, the trials of long term relationships, and redemption.
thenextgoodbook
Sep 04, 2025
8/10 stars
thenextgoodbook.com

What’s it about?

Ellie is seven years old when she meets Homa on her first day in a new school. Ellie’s father has just died and she and her mother have been forced to move to a small apartment due to their reduced circumstances. In the 1950s, Tehran had a strict social structure and Ellie and her mother must make some accommodations in this new life. Spanning from 1950 to the present day we see Tehran through the eyes of Ellie and Homa.

What did it make me think about?

Iran- I knew so little about the country.

Should I read it?

This was a really good work of historical fiction. I learned a lot about Iran over the last 70 years. This story reminded me how blessed I am to have been born here in America. With all our problems we still have freedoms that many can only dream about. This novel also reminded me of what is so important about literature- the ability to stand in someone else’s shoes for a moment and learn about other lives. If you enjoy historical fiction or are looking for a book about the complexities and rewards of a long friendship, then you will enjoy The Lion Women of Tehran.

Quote-

“I took Homa to the East Room. She stood still, taking in all the books, the gold-leaf decorated ceiling, and the Persian rugs.

Once we were outside, she turned to me and said, no longer in a whisper, ‘Isn’t it funny, Ellie? No matter where you go or how far you travel, when you are in a place of substance, the floor is covered with the rugs of our country. The artwork of our land. Which means really, in all these places, you are with the labor of Iranian women.”
Margie Pettersen
Oct 27, 2025
8/10 stars
This is a book about the friendship of two girls that spans several generations. It kind of reminded me of Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend. Ellie is distressed after her father dies and she and her mother have to move into the slums (downtown area). Here, she meets Homa, who becomes a steadfast friend. They are both smart and aim to attend university at some point. This is set in the 1950s and 1960s in Iran, and deals with key events in Iranian history, such as a takeover by the Shah in 1953.
Debstasio
Oct 26, 2025
9/10 stars
Well written. Interesting. Recommend.
Hannahnap
Oct 16, 2025
8/10 stars
Empowering

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