Description
The Lion Women of Tehran is an engrossing family epic that follows two very strong women, Fereshteh and her daughter Ava, through the changing tides of Iran’s contemporary history as they look for a place to belong, a purpose, and the freedom to make their own choices.
Fereshteh grew up in an intelligent family in the 1940s. She comes of age at a time when Iran is becoming more sophisticated. She liked poetry and the idea of change when she was a kid. But as revolution approaches, she has to deal with changing loyalties: falling in love, going to school, and dealing with the crackdown on women’s rights. Her choices, from going to protests to getting involved in personal relationships, shape her destiny and the values she passes on to her daughter.
Ava, Fereshteh’s daughter, grows up in a world that is both hers and not hers. She grew up in part in the United States, where she feels the ease of Western promise and the pain of being out of place. She struggles with the burden of her mother’s decisions as she goes from being a curious schoolgirl to a photographer looking into her family’s history. These decisions required sacrifice, perseverance, and bravery.
The story flows smoothly between Tehran in the 1960s and New York City today. It includes the social upheaval of the Iranian Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, and the diaspora that sent Iranian families all over the world. Marjan Kamali’s writing is full of life and reflects the joy of adolescent idealism, the sadness of political persecution, and the strong pride in cultural heritage.
The Lion Women of Tehran is really a narrative about legacy: what moms give to their daughters, not just DNA or customs, but also courage, resilience, and the scars that shape who we are. The book’s emotional heart comes out in intimate moments, including when Fereshteh teaches Ava Persian poems, Ava’s first trip to Tehran’s bazaar, letters written in code, and coffee-table talks about identity and belonging.
This book’s themes of family, migration, and cultural friction will speak to Sri Lankan readers in particular. A lot of Sri Lankans have had to move away from home for school, job, or safety. They know how hard it is to keep their traditions while making new ones in other countries.
Kamali’s scenes, like a smokey tea establishment in Isfahan or yellow trees in the fall on a Brooklyn street, are powerful because they make you experience what it’s like to have civilizations in your heart and live between countries.
The writing is beautiful and honest at the same time. Kamali talks about hard subjects like patriarchy, political violence, and the diaspora without losing her ability to connect with people on an emotional level. Characters are real: they are stubborn when they fight injustice, tender when they care for their families, and torn when they welcome freedom. When you put together Fereshteh’s passionate pride and Ava’s silent yearning, you have a tapestry that honors women’s bravery in the face of change.
About the Author
Marjan Kamali is an Iranian-American novelist whose work often focuses on questions of homeland, identity, and generational change. Born in Tehran and raised abroad, Kamali holds an MBA and MFA and draws from her own experiences amid revolution and exile. Her literary voice mixes historical detail with intimate portraiture, painting richly textured stories of women in transition.
Product Details
Title: The Lion Women of Tehran
Author: Marjan Kamali
ISBN‑13: 9781982107499
Publisher: Scribner (Simon & Schuster)
Published: June 4, 2019
Pages: 400
Binding: Paperpack
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