The Lion Women of Tehran

Kamali (The Stationery Shop) captures the soul of Iran in this fantastic and timely story that not only gives listeners much to ponder but also brings a ray of hope. The Shir-Zan (Farsi for “lion women”) are the heart of this narrative that celebrates four generations of Iranian and Iranian American women, each with their unique story of hope and inspiration. The lifelong friendship between Ellie and Homa, who met as seven-year-olds when Ellie moved downtown upon her father’s death, is a poignant testament to the enduring power of women’s relationships. Their journey, along with those of the other women in the story, is a beautiful exploration of hope and friendship. Though weathered and frayed by betrayal and time, their friendship is brought to life by the narration of Mozhan Navabi and Nikki Massoud, who infuse these intelligent, brave, and vibrant characters with warmth and vulnerability. Their authentic accents and new-language-learner pacing and word order effectively delineate each character’s generation and level of education, adding depth to the narrative. Navabi and Massoud conjure up hand gestures and facial expressions in listeners’ minds.