When the death of her father forced 7-year-old Ellie and her mother to move from the lap of luxury to a tiny, downtrodden home in downtown Tehran, Ellie finds solace in her new friend, Homa. As they grow up, Ellie and her mother return to a comfy lifestyle, while Homa's rebellious father languishes in prison, keeping Homa's family in poverty. Reconnecting as they prepare for university, Ellie and Homa have very different goals for their college years — Ellie wants to get an education, sure, but mainly find a husband, while Homa is determined to bring on a feminist revolution, becoming a judge and helping promote women's rights in Tehran. When political turmoil erupts in Tehran, a betrayal drives the two friends apart for decades, and both must come to grips with their past and their role in Iran as it is.
This is a wonderfully written story of Iran in the second half of the 20th Century, as seen through the eyes of two very different women. They're both relatable, complex characters with understandable motivations and fears. I loved this book and will be recommending it widely.
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