Marjane Satrapi: Persepolis Vol. 1 (2003, Penguin Random House)
160 pages
English language
Published Oct. 31, 2003 by Penguin Random House.
Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.
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. Intensely personal, profoundly political, …
Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.
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. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, with laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love.
Shocking and beautiful. I love the stark black and white art.
It was my first time reading about how Iran was before the revolution. She was born the same year I was so it really made me think.
Great read! Well written, effective and smart illustrations. But, the popularity of this book results in people trying to understand the character of the Iranian Revolution through this book. Which people shouldn't do. And take it just as an anecdote of an upper middle class north Tehran resident.
After watching the animated movie, I had been wanting to read the graphic novel for a while.
I finally got around to it and it is much better than I expected!
The movie pretty much preserves the rebellious yet innocent and genuine feeling that the book is infused with. It is also a great (if not very detailed) introduction to Iranian recent history and a nice personal perspective on the impact and meaning of large scale geopolitics on normal people and their daily lives.
It is a sweet, short, easy read... beautifully drawn and filled with sensitivity and a kickass female lead character.
No wonder the movie was a huge success.
I thought this book was excellent! It is largely told from the perspective of someone reflecting on their experience as a child.
The family dynamics are very well done and the story is gripping. It also introduced me to a part of history I had honestly just not thought about a lot. It manages to both convey the uniqueness of the author's own story and tie it to the widespread suffering during the revolution and war. The art is gorgeous as well. Certainly excited to read the second book.
This was a truly fantastic -- spare, haunting, starkly illustrated, in turns innocent and worldly -- memoir, depicting the coming of age of a young, Iranian girl. Like the best of such memoirs, the author spends equal time on the political and historical events in Iran, the day-to-day life in such a regime and normal childhood experiences.
Very much enjoyed this on a few rainy afternoons, cannot wait to share it with my daughters.
really fast read. cute and interesting. lots of historical background on Iran delivered in an easy to digest and effective way. great graphic novel.
