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The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, book cover
Episode 29·30 July 2025·54 min

Marjan KamaliThe Lion Women of Tehran

Two girls, one friendship and decades of Iranian history. Above all, a great story.

About this episode

In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I sit down with the incredible Marjan Kamali to discuss her bestselling novel The Lion Women of Tehran.

The novel follows the intertwined lives of two childhood friends, Homa and Ellie, as they grow from girls in 1950s Tehran into women navigating the complexities of adulthood. We dive into the inspiration behind this captivating story, the rich depiction of Iranian culture, and the unique challenges of writing historical fiction. Marjan shares some evocative excerpts from her book and reveals how her own childhood friendships and family history have shaped the narrative. Together, we explore themes of friendship, the fragility of freedom, and the timeless nature of storytelling.

Also in print I wrote up my conversation with Marjan Kamali too. Read the Q&A or browse more books and authors.

In this episode

  1. Meet the Author: Marjan Kamali
  2. The Story Behind The Lion Women of Tehran
  3. Exploring Themes of Friendship and Betrayal
  4. The Historical Context of Women's Rights in Iran
  5. The Writing Process and Developing Characters
  6. Imagination's Role in the Writing Journey
  7. When Characters Take Control of the Story
  8. Drawing from Emotional Wells and Writing Trauma
  9. Method Acting: Bringing Characters to Life
  10. Writing Challenging and Emotional Scenes
  11. The Heart of The Lion Women of Tehran
  12. The Many Faces of a Lioness
  13. Navigating Difficult Scenes and Character Growth
  14. The Importance of Friendship and Freedom
  15. The Joy of Reading and Discovering New Stories
  16. Marjan Kamali’s Upcoming Projects
  17. Final Thoughts and Farewell