Register

Online Author Talk With Marjan Kamali

On Courage, Turmoil and the Transformative Power of Love

Join us for an exciting conversation with internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali as we delve into the timeless wonder of her New York Times bestselling novel, "The Lion Women of Tehran." Adults. Register to get a link. A recording will also be available for later viewing.

Register and submit questions for the author.

Join us for an exciting conversation with internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali as we delve into the timeless wonder of her New York Times bestselling novel, "The Lion Women of Tehran."

In 1950s Tehran, 7-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams of a friend to alleviate her isolation.

Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in Homa's warm stone kitchen, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar and share their ambitions of becoming “lion women.”

But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother get the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. As she becomes a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, Homa suddenly reappears in Ellie’s privileged world and alters the course of both of their lives.

Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences.

Register now to hear directly from the author about the crafting of her tender, yet immensely powerful work.

Adults. Register to receive a link for viewing this online event.

About the Author: Marjan Kamali, born in Turkey to Iranian parents, is the New York Times bestselling author of "The Lion Women of Tehran," "The Stationery Shop" and "Together Tea." She is the 2022 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Award. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages. Kamali lives with her family in the Boston area.

This event is part of DBRL's Online Author Series, supported by David Lile honorarium funds. A recording will also be available for later viewing on the author series site.

Upcoming events