Leoaiecele din Teheran

Two girls form a friendship amid Iran’s political unrest. Marjan Kamali’s novel follows their lives across three decades. It explores class, women’s rights, love, courage, loyalty and betrayal.

The story starts in Tehran in the 1950s. Seven-year-old Elaheh, known as Ellie, has lost her father. She and her mother leave their comfortable life for a poor neighbourhood. Her mother blames their troubles on envy and the evil eye. Lonely Ellie longs for a friend.

On her first school day, she meets warm, bold Homa. Ellie’s name means goddess in Persian. Homa’s comes from a mythical bird that never lands. They play hopscotch and learn to cook at Homa’s home. They explore the Grand Bazaar and share ice-cream sandwiches. Both dream of becoming fearless women who can change Iran.

Ellie’s mother seeks a return to wealth and status. They move away, and Ellie attends an elite high school. As she grows popular, her memories of Homa fade. Homa’s return brings her fight for Iranian women’s rights into Ellie’s life. Yet their different goals draw them apart. One friend’s betrayal leads to the other’s imprisonment.

Years later, Homa sends her daughter to Ellie in America. She hopes to shield her from violent street protests in Iran. That choice links the estranged friends once more.

Oana Celia Gheorghiu translated this edition from English. Its original title is The Lion Women of Tehran.