Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
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Book Reviews of Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
I very much enjoyed reading this graphic novel. It is surprisingly witty and more introspective then I expected. The book is about the author's chilhood in Iran and covers her pre-teen years. The book reminds you that although we all have our perceptions, the fundamentalism we see on TV represents the views and actions of only a small portion of the population. Among the rest are people just like the rest of us who are very educated and just want the freedoms Americans or other parts of the world exercise.
Persepolis give a look into that secret life and how those people live side by side with their oppressors. I don't think the author intends the book to be a resource in culture as much as a place to spark interest. The book is actually more of a coming of age story. Where the main character at a young age finds herself questioning her own values and beliefs, torn between ideals that are pressed upon her by her culture and ideals that she is luckily encouraged by her parents to develop on her own. The book is very well done and I would definently recommend it to anyone.
Also it's a very quick read so if you happen to not like it, you won't have spent too much time.
Book Review: Intriguing book, but lacking depth
Summary: 4 Stars
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, written and illustrated by Marjane Satrapi, is a comic book style ("illustrated novel") autobiography of memories of life as a child in Iran just before and after the overthrow of the Shah (roughly 1978-82), and during the war with Iraq. Her parents are well-educated, seemingly progressive, and, through the eyes of a child, heroic.
Life changes. She experiences the mandatory use of the veil, stricter schools, hiding activities from nosy neighbors, and the phrase "...on a trip" as a code for death in war or by execution. Children play games of torturer and torturee. Satrapi reveals her evolution as a child rebel, albeit a selfish one focusing on the narrow-mindedness of youth... rebellion is wearing a Michael Jackson button and tight jeans in public. However, reality gets closer and closer... a favorite uncle is imprisoned and executed, a friend is killed in an Iraqi bomb attack, food is scare, and teachers are more draconian.
This book took about an hour to read. There is good congruence between the script and the drawings, but the style of presentation as an illustrated novel means there is no depth to the story. Perhaps the following book, Persepolis 2, will provide more.
Book Review: My first graphic novel
Summary: 5 Stars
I never thought that a "comic book" would have so much heart felt information. My Israeli friend suggested I read this book as it had touched her with its depth of heartfelt storytelling. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who had any interest in life in Iran after the religious clergy took over and for those who are looking for a point of view of the Middle East that doesn't hit you over the head. A special book in this time of war, nukes and hate.Book Review: a blow to the heralds of cultural divide
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book for many of the same reasons other reviewers did. As others mention, there's a lot in this book that's unique: the freshness and the perfect fit of the comic book style to the content, the heroine's pluck and total believability, and the author's success in portraying both the "good and the bad" of growing up in post-revolution Iran with amazing lack of preachiness, or heavy-handedness (she lets the story speak, and lets us judge accordingly). True such an accomplishment can be viewed in numerous other first hand accounts of foreign cultures. But Satrapi truly stands out as a genius in this genre. When I am taken on a voyage along with a girl (or boy)into the heart of a "different" culture by an author as skilled as Satrapi, a series of transformations take place in me, that lead to my acute awareness of that well-kept secret in this world of ours that I too always seem to forget--that what is common among humans (which includes most of what is in our hearts) completely transcends time and place. I see yet again how ephemeral this insight is, and how easy it is to fall prey to the thousand-fold repeated LIE: "we are different from others, and we must believe the self-appointed authorities on HOW we are different". This book once again shows me the light--and this time, with the help of Satrapi's story, so lightly yet so compellingly delivered, I have more faith that this truth will stay with me. And I hope that its magic will do the same for all its readers.Book Review: A Beautiful Culture
Summary: 5 Stars
"Persepolis" is a powerful novel because it shows the beauty and strength of a culture that is very different from ours. The Persian history and way of life became very relevant to me as I saw them through the eyes of a teenage girl. Being an adolescent student myself, I understand some of the struggles Marjane went through. I also see how culture can shape the minds and hearts of people around the world.
All in all it was a worthwhile graphic novel, and I am glad to have read about a small slice of the wonderful culture of Iran.