Persepolis Boxed Set by Marjane Satrapi
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Book Reviews of Persepolis Boxed Set
Book Review: AP World History Review: An Incredibly Moving Series
Summary: 5 Stars
In the first book's jacket, the description reads "Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran and of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. Marjane's child's-eye view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family... Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a reminder of the human cost of war and political repression." This description of Persepolis sets the scene for an unforgettable graphic novel about life during the Iranian Revolution. Told through black and white comic panels, Marjane Satrapi's story of growing up is both humorous and moving - without overdoing either. As the jacket description says, the first book is told from the viewpoint of a young girl. This allows the reader to see the events of the Iranian Revolution and its aftermath from innocent eyes. In the second book, Persepolis 2, Satrapi becomes a young woman and her ideas and viewpoints change, as most teenagers are wont to do with time. The two books show the reader both the many different opinions present in Iran during this time period and the changes that a young person undergoes while growing up.
As a teenage girl, I can see myself going through many of the same `teenage' experiences that are recounted in these books. Luckily, though, I am not living in the same time or place as Marjane Satrapi was while these `teenage' experiences were occurring, and this simple fact allows a reader, such as myself, to draw another conclusion from the two books. While I finished these graphic novels both entertained and informed, I also felt blessed to be living in a different world from Marjane Satrapi's in 1979. These two books allow a reader to appreciate what he or she has been given - something that many other books do not. I would recommend this book to anyone willing to read something that will make a difference in their life, something that many other reviewers have reflected on. Marjane Satrapi's novels are worthy of every glowing word they receive.
Book Review: Brilliant and moving work!
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved every minute reading this book. Being a comic or graphic novel, whichever one prefers, I was both invested in the life of Marjane Satrapi as well as the illustrations. The drawings really brought the whole story to life with her incredible enthusiasm of how the expressions on the faces really matched what was being said. The story of her life is so compellingly told that one is caught up in her passions and pains.
I just loved it! I laughed with her. I cried with her. I cheered her on! She is a woman with a unique voice, both in her experiences of standing up for herself by being straightforward and blunt (and quite rational in her reasoning), but also in her own narrative. It is swiftly told, but not leaving it too general or to overlook any of the details. Being a Westerner and having little knowledge of Persian history, it was actually a very welcome introduction to what has happened in the Middle East. She is roughly my age so I identified with her and the time period she grew up in (despite the social climates being so different).
Satrapi tells the story of things from her point of view. What I did enjoy about it was that she was fond of her own country, but also recognized its own shortcomings. Her fears were real and she stood up to them when she felt it most necessary. She challenged authority at every corner. And, if you ask me, she won!
But I think what also moved me was that is was told in a graphic narrative. The illustrations, as I said, were spot on. I think her style of art supports her story and helps relate the happenings much better than if were just a book. To me it made the book more enjoyable and humorous.
It has just been released as a movie and I am excited to see the film as it matches the style of book perfectly. I don't see anyone who reads even the first 20 pages would be able to stop. I am glad someone suggested the books for me to read as I now want to buy a copy for myself.
Book Review: A wonderful book about angst in Iran.
Summary: 5 Stars
What a fantastic graphic novel! If you normally don't read graphic novels (or comic books), don't be afraid, the pictures won't hurt you and the stories are only enhanced by this format. Buy the box set because the first book will only leave you wanting more.
The books are composed of short stories of events in the author's life. Some of them seem really simple, but they all have an underlying message. It may be simply pointing out the joy of moment's of rebellion (getting an Iron Maiden poster was a huge deal to this girl!), or much more serious commentary on the imprisonment and execution of family or friends. Each story is short but each provides a picture into life in Iran in the late 1970s and 1980s.
I confess to know nothing about Iran or its history. These books have introduced me to a culture that is both old and new. A lot of the extreme conservative movement is really quite young as you learn in this book and the stories show you that the people of Iran are like any other. Marjane wants what any young girl wants these days - freedom to pursue her dreams and self-expression. It is surprising to find that many Iranians felt this way in the 1970s. You also start to understand the patriotism that people in Iran have - not necessarily for the tyrants in charge but for the culture that has existed for so long. It is similar to how many feel today in the U.S. - you can be a patriot despite disagreeing with the policy of the country's leaders.
The illustrations are very simple in form but have a great impact. For example, you feel the oppression that beards have when drawn as almost a wall of black bearded chins. The emotion is conveyed very well in these simple drawings.
I recommend this book to anybody, even if new to the idea of graphic novels. By the way, some of the best literature comes out in this format.
Book Review: Two rather different books
Summary: 5 Stars
I like both volumes, but I see them as quite different. The first, her childhood in Iran, is extremely useful as a history book, telling of what went on in Iran during the author's childhood. The second volume is less historical and more autobiographical, and of real interest as a memoir - the trials and tribulations of an adolescent / young adult whose life is very much complicated by Iran and by exile. This means talk about sex, drugs, friendships and human dealings good and bad, as well as relating to her own parents. It is of less interest on the subject of Iran, just as the first book of the two is of less interest, at least to me, as a memoir.Book Review: Endearing, moving and tragic
Summary: 5 Stars
These two graphic (pictorial) novels were two parts of the most moving autobiographies I have read. The illustrations showed the body language of the shyness of a child, the utter sadness of family separations, the slyness of bad behavior, the helplessness of living under a totalitarian government. The lack of full prose is more than supplanted by the drawings. The effect that the Iranian revolution had on this family will be felt for generations to come.
JPL