Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
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Book Reviews of Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Book Review: Very good - the 2nd volume is already on its way to me!
Summary: 5 Stars
Marjane Satrapi has written a fine addition to a growing body of graphic novels that really portray the absurdities and immense dangers of life in a repressive regime. Satrapi's work easily joins other strong works such as "Maus" by Spiegelman and "Pyongyang" by Delisle.
Satrapi's is, of course, unique. Hers is the story of living under two different repressive regimes and watching a revolution become perverted (although one could wonder if her parents really understood the Iranian Revolution at all since they seemed to think it was a Communist one for quite a long while). The simple illustrations help to emphasize the de-indvidualization that came with the Islamic revolution - all of the women and girls look the same thanks to clothing and the men look the same due to beards.
If you are at all interested in current events in the Middle East or even interested in basic human rights issues) than I recommend you check out this book.
I give this one a grade of "A"
Book Review: Recommended Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I read Persepolis because my brother recommended it. This gives a wonderful perspective on how the "Regressive Revolution" in Iran affected people, especially young children. Anther reason that I highly recommend ordering this item is that it gives a wonderful, easy to learn (brief) history of Iran. It sparked my interest in the middle east and, considering that these modern times seem to mean more and more concern will be focused in the area, it's good to know a little bit about the countries. Buy it. Read it. Love it.
Edit:
Persepolis takes place from the view of Marjane Satrapi. She lives with her parents and grandmother. The book shows how the Revolution effected the daily lives of people and changed the community and nation. The novel also teachers the reader about Iranian religion and history in an easy to understand manner.
Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
I had to read this for my Perspectives on Youth Cultures class and I was intrigued because it was the first graphic novel I have ever read. Well, I finished it in one setting! The book is wonderful. It's fresh and being that it's from a child's persepctive she just "tells it like it is". The graphics are relevant and very effective at adding depth, meaning, and really illustrating what's going on during this time in Iran.
For me, this book was an excellent tool for developing a better understaning of the Iranian Revolution. Some may say "Oh it's only one person's persepctive so it can't represent Iran and Iran is not really like that". In response, everyone's perspective is just that "their" perspective. The author writes in such a way that is first-hand knowledge and so "straight up" that she is a credible source in my eyes. I just purchased persepolis 2 and cannot wait to begin reading it!
Book Review: 1 in a million
Summary: 5 Stars
comic book-style storytelling. batman, superman, and whoever else have NOTHING on this, because this account is REAL, and i'm only sorry it ever had to end. i read this book in one night. and i wanted, and NEEDED more. but it's not until 2 years later that i bought the 2nd volume, as well as "embroideries." each one succeeds at conveying aspects of the Iranian culture, as well as telling Marji's experience in her native Iran as well as abroad. so read them, except don't wait as long as i did to read them in their entirety. better yet; buy them all at once and read them all at once. plop yourself down one free evening... and you'll be done by sunrise, i can almost guarantee it.
be prepared for various emotions, for you are bound to encounter them all!
Book Review: Engaging look at Iran 1979 on via young woman
Summary: 5 Stars
Ms. Satrapi was about eight years old when the Islamic revolutionaries took over the government in 1979 in her native country of Iran (she now lives in Paris). In these books (Persepolis and Persepolis 2 - Persepolis is an ancient name for Iran) she tells the story of the revolution as she saw it -- her Communist parents were highly involved in anti-Shah protests -- and what happened afterwards. When she was 14, the situation had become so dangerous in Tehran, her home, that her parents sent her to Vienna, thinking she'd be under the care of a close friend of the mother's who had emigrated earlier. The friend instead dumped Marjean, who spoke only Iranian/Arabic/Persian and French, at a Catholic boarding house, from which she was soon evicted.
Satrapi eventually took up with a group of friends who had similar breaks in their families and eventually entered the artistic/bohemian world, always with a strong interest in politics born by the events she witnessed in her childhood.
There is so much of interest in these two volumes -- which are in the new, fashionable, comic-book format -- I hardly know where to begin. They definitely provide information about Iran that never reached the US. For example, there is no mention of the US diplomats who were taken hostage -- as I recall, the news led us to believe the Iranian people were obsessed with them. Instead she tells a story of how "the new boss is the same as the old boss" - to the point that the revolutionaries' chief torturer is the same man who held that position under the Shah. Nor is there even a mention of the Ayatollah Khomeni.
At the same time we see the intense meaning that family has for the Iranian people. Overall, the books are revelations and quick reads, set in chapter/short-story format. As for the comic-book format, Satrapi is a terrific illustrator and some of her drawings convey her feelings more powerfully than any words could.