I adored Kamali’s The Stationary Shop, so I was thrilled to see she had a new book out. And this glorious one did not disappoint.

Ellie and Homa are two young girls who grow up in 1950s/1960s Tehran. Ellie comes from money yet, after the death of her father, ends up having to live in a less affluent part downtown, where she meets Homa. The two become friends and we follow their lives and friendship through the 1980s.

Unfortunately, as the two grow, so does the political turmoil in Iran. Homa gets involved in first the revolution against the Prime Minister, which eventually turns into a religious fundamentalist society under a shah. As things get worse, she reconnects with Ellie and asks for her help.

The life of each woman is told in vivid, emotional detail. When woven with a narrative of actual historical events, it becomes even more compelling. I especially loved how even “bad” peripheral characters are explained and studied as their full, human selves. The flow of the engaging plot keeps you on edge throughout, but it’s the strong, deep connection between the two women that makes this novel stand out.

If you’re a fan of fiction that touches on true events and the complexities of female friendship, this is a great choice. I’m putting it next to The Stationary Shop on my keeper shelf!

I both listened to the audiobook and read the hardcover. The narration is great! Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an eBook copy (which is what I started with!)