The Lion Women of Tehran

The Lion Women of Tehran, written by Marjan Kamali, was published in 2024. The events occurring in that country in 2026 make the novel even more relevant. 

The novel begins in December 1981 with Ellie living and working in New York when she receives a letter from Homa who still lives in Tehran. Homa wants Ellie to phone her urgently. Ellie has not seen or heard from Homa for many years and reading Homa's letter causes Ellie to review her past life.

Part one of the novel is set in Tehran from 1950 to July 1953. Initially seven year old Ellie lived in a large house in a wealthy section of Tehran with her her parents. But her life changed when her father died and her uncle moved Ellie and her mother to a small house in a poorer part of the city. The upside of the move was that Ellie was now allowed to go to school where she met Homa who became her best friend. The two girls enjoyed school and vied for being selected top of their grade. Ellie also enjoyed visiting Homa's home after school where she was accepted as part of the family. 

However Ellie's mother is not impressed with her daughter associating with someone from the poorer quarter of town, even though they are no longer well off themselves. Then in mid 1953, Ellie's life changed again when her mother married her uncle and they moved back to a more exclusive location in Tehran providing Ellie with the opportunity to go to a better quality school and make new friends who do not live in the poorer section of Tehran. Ellie reluctantly said goodbye to Homa and Homa's family and the place where she felt at home.

Part two begins in late summer 1960 and continues to November 1963. Ellie has settled into her new school and made new friends, especially Niloo and Sousan. She has also met Mehrdad, a student at the local boys' high school. Then Homa appears in her classroom as a new student. It is not long before Ellie and Homa re-establish their former relationship. The girls must study hard to win a place at university as Homa wants to be a lawyer and then possibly a judge while Ellie plans to study English. Mehrdad wants to study science.

The politics of the country have changed. When the Shah took over power from the elected prime minister Homa's father was imprisoned for being a communist - a possible threat to the new regime. Meanwhile Ellie's mother enjoys once again experiencing her previous life. Women continue to have access to education and have relative freedom in their country however if they leave their husband they lose all access to their children. Men still have legal power over women. Homa joins the communist party but Ellie refuses to join her. 

At a party to celebrate Niloo's engagement Sousa's husband, a colonel in the army, seeks out Ellie and asks her lots of questions about her friends. When Homa is arrested, Ellie realises that the colonel is a spy.

Part three - November 1963 to 1977. Homa is imprisoned for six months. When in December 1964 Ellie learns where Homa is living she visits her. Homa has married Abdol, a friend of Mehrdad. Homa also has a daughter. The visit is not a success and Homa makes it clear that she does not want to see Ellie again.

In June 1965 Ellie and Mehrdad marry. Their plan to have five or six children, or even one, does not eventuate. Mehrdad continues his studies part time and when, in 1977, he receives an offer to study in the USA for two years they decide to accept. 

Part four - 1965 to 1981 - describes Homa's life in Tehran where she and Abdol look after their daughter, Bahar. Homa is determined that the events of the past will not define who she is now. Although her dreams of becoming an lawyer are over she enrolls in teachers' college and becomes a teacher at a local high school.

By 1977 protests have begun against the Shah and his regime. In January 1979 the Shah leaves Iran to be replaced by Ayatollah Khomeini. At first the people are jubilant until in March the announcement is made that women must wear veils outside their homes. On International Women's Day the women of Tehran march in protest. Homa and Bahar join them. Homa forms a group to protect the rights of women. In 1980 a war with Iraq begins. This is when Homa realises that Tehran is not a safe place for her daughter. 

Part five - 1977 - September 2022. Ellie and Mehrad settle into their new lives in America but are aware of what is happening in Iran. In 1978. Ellie's mother comes to visit her and during the visit Ellie finally gains information that her mother had withheld from her. Before returning to Tehran Ellie's mother advises the family to remain in the USA. Iran has become too dangerous, especially for women.

When Ellie contacts Homa she agrees to allow Bahar to stay at her home in New York so she can finish her studies. Bahar soon settles in. When Homa comes to visit Ellie shows her friend around the city, but she also wants to clear the air about events that occurred in Tehran. Ellie tries to convince Homa to apply for a visa to stay in America.

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, as well as being about political events occurring in Iran since the 1950s, is also a novel about the value of lasting friendships, general relationships and culture. It is a novel about facing challenges and trying to survive in difficult times as the life you have known is no more.

The 'Lion Women' in the title refers to a discussion held in July 1953 when Homa tells Ellie that when they grow up they will both become lionesses. They will live their lives for themselves and help others. They will be strong women who make things happen (p38). The term lion women to describe determined women with strong ideals occurs several times throughout the novel.

This novel was the chosen title for discussion by the Monash University Book Club for October 2026.

References:

Iran in the twentieth century - Asia Society

Timeline: a modern history of Iran - PBS

The evil eye - My Persian Kitchen 

Discussion:

The Lion Women of Tehran - Reading Discussion Guide

 The Lion Women of Tehran - Supersummary.com

The Lion Women of Tehran - Bookclubs 

The First King of England: Æthelstan and the birth of the kingdom

David Woodman, a Professor of History at Cambridge University, has written a detailed study of the life of Æthelstan, the grandson of King Alfred the Great and son of King Edward the Elder, who became the first king of all of England in 927.  

The author has studied the limited number of original sources covering this historical period including versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, works of William of Malmesbury and Æthelstan's surviving diplomas (official documents recording decisions from royal meetings, particularly detailing grants made by the king and his dealings with the church) along with an extensive list of historical works about this time in England's history in order to compile his study about the life of Æthelstan.

The book looks at the history of England at the time of Æthelstan's grandfather and father when the country was divided initially into seven kingdoms and later four before becoming a united country. The book then examines the life of Æthelstan and how he endeavoured to keep the country as one. Chapters provide information about Æthelstan's interest in learning as well as supporting religious establishments in the country. As well as ruling England Æthelstan worked with leaders of parts of Wales and also Scotland. In at the Battle of Brunanburh in 937 Æthelstan's army had a decisive victory resulting in him ruling much of Britain, not just England. Æthelstan was well know as a leader throughout Europe. Æthelstan ruled England from 924 until 939.

The First King of England is a comprehensive work about the life of an important but not well-known king. The author suggests that he would have had a more prominent reputation if he had had a biographer recording his story as his grandfather, Alfred the Great, had done. Following the death of Æthelstan there was unrest again in parts of England, especially in the north with Vikings once again asserting themselves. But the creation of the country of England that evolved during the rule of Æthelstan became the foundation of England today.

At the end  of the book is a glossary of technical terms, list of historical figures appearing in the book, chronology of main events, two appendices, notes, bibliography and index.

The Keeper

Cal Hooper, a retired detective from the USA, is trying to establish a new life in the small Irish community of Ardnakelty. He has come to realise that there are many complicated alliances and relationships within a community that does not readily welcome outsiders. Cal lives in a small cottage where he spends his time crafting fine furniture and items of woodwork. He is assisted by Trey who plans to get a woodworking apprenticeship when she leaves school. Cal's fiancee, Lena, lives nearby.

The pattern of rural life is disturbed when the body of a young woman, Rachel, is found in the river. Rachel was about to become engaged to Eugene, the son of a wealthy landowner who tries to control the local residents. Did Rachel take her own life or was she murdered? There are many opinions as the villagers turn on each other with their theories and accusations and some of the residents receive threats of various kinds. Cal, Mart with a group of the other residents decide to investigate to discover how Rachel died and why?

The Keeper by Irish author, Tana French, is the third book featuring Cal and Lena and the other residents of Ardnakelty, but I have not read the previous two books. I found the first few chapters a little difficult to follow as I needed time to become used to the style of dialogue spoken as the author introduced the reader to the characters and the setting of the novel. However as the story evolved I enjoyed reading the book.

Another book recommended by Dervla McTiernan's Book Club which isn't a book club.

Between Sisters

Meghann (Meg) is a successful divorce lawyer living in Seattle. For many years she was a substitute parent to her younger sister, Claire. Then her mother left them and Meg located Sam, Claire's father, who did not know that he had a daughter. After a series of misunderstandings Meg established a life of her own with only occasional contact with her sister. When Meg learns that Claire plans to marry a country singer who she has only recently met, she visits her sister to find out what is happening.

Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah recounts the complicated past and present relationship between the two women as they encounter an unexpected life threatening challenge and renew the relationship that they once had. Meg also meets Joe who is struggling with past events in his own life. The book explores themes of friendship, family responsibility, love, regret and finding out what is really important in life.

Enough

Etta has invited her family to spend a family weekend together so her daughter and grand-daughter, her son and daughter-in-law come to visit her at her home near the beach. It is good to have the family together but Etta also has an alternative motive. Etta has decided that it is time that she should leave this world. However as the day progresses Etta has time to re-evaluate her plan.

Enough is a novel written by Dawn French. Although there are serious themes involving aging and thoughts of suicide, this is not a dark novel but instead is a sometimes amusing study of family relationships. Interwoven with the story of how the family members react to Etta's plan are chapters or slices of life which recount episodes in Etta's earlier life. As the story continues Etta realises that there is still more that she can give her family, especially her relationship with her grand-daughter, Pearl.

Nash Falls

Walter Nash, a successful executive in a large firm, lives with his wife and daughter in a luxurious house. But there are problems in his past, particularly his relationship with his father. After his father dies Walter learns more about his father's life since returning from the war in Vietnam and meets some of his father's friends. Walter also encounters the FBI when one of their agents approaches him about him helping them investigate staff in the company he works for. His settled life is turned upside down when his daughter is kidnapped and reports are circulated that Walter is responsible. A friend of Walter's father helps him to change his appearance and to prepare himself for revenge.

Nash Falls by David Baldacci is an intense crime thriller with an ending indicating that this is just the beginning of Nash's story which continues in the book, Hope Rises.

The Midnight Train

It is 1974 and Wilbur Budd and his wife, Maggie, are enjoying their honeymoon in Venice. As they explore the waterways of this city Wilbur briefly senses that there is another presence that looks exactly like him nearby. He looks away but then returns his attention to Maggie. Fifty-two years later, when Walter is 81, he dies. He has had a successful life in business building up a chain of bookshops but there have also been mistakes, especially in his relationship with Maggie.

At midnight the ghost of Walter finds himself boarding the Midnight Train which is a replica of a toy train he owned when a child. Aboard the train he encounters the ghost of Mrs Agnes Deborah Amaryllis Bagdale, the former owner of Bagdale's Bookshop which he loved visiting when a child. Agnes explains to him about the voyage he is about to take reviewing his past life. At times the train will travel quickly through time while at other times the train will stop so that he can have a closer look at previous events in his life. Wilbur is warned not to try and communicate with the people he sees and definitely not to try and change events. 

But halfway through the voyage Wilbur the ghost decides that he has to defy this instruction. He needs to warn the young Wilbur, who he is observing via the voyage on the Midnight Train, of mistakes that he made in his previous existence, especially in regard to relationships.

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig provides a sympathetic look at the problems that can be caused when a person is so focused on creating a successful business life for himself and his family that he neglects to see that he is destroying family relationships. The ghost Wilbur hopes that he is able to help his younger self avoid the mistakes that he made.

Like The Midnight Library, also written by Matt Haig, The  Midnight Train is also a book worth reading.