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The cartoonish style of the drawing is superb, the subject matter is very current, the combination of tragedy and humor is clever.However, as a political memoir, "Persepolis" lacks. Quite the opposite, when people die and suffer, the writer's most hardship is to hide the liquor at a party (which they are not supposed to have), or to wear a headscarf, or to get an "Iron Maiden" poster through customs. "Persepolis" is a widely acclaimed memoir/graphic novel, it was rated highly by several of my fellow readers and therefore I've had my eye on it for a while. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that this memoir ends when the author is 14 (although writing it as an adult, she should be able to present her views clearly). I will however read the second part of the memoir. I don't know exactly why, but I never got a grip on what Satrapi's personal views on the politics within her country are. I find it very interesting that in times of turmoil, during the civil war for democracy, during the rise of religious fundamentalism, during the war with Iraq, Satrapi's family never seems to experience any discomfort.
It is presented in a very appealing, easy format. Sadly, now, after reading this book, I am a little underwhelmed by it.As a graphic novel, it is a notable work. This narration from a perspective of a person in power is a little disheartening and has a bit of a fake tone to it, as if the author doesn't know what is really happening in her country and writes about from her million dollar mansion while being served by one of her maids.It's not a bad book, especially for younger readers who want to know a little bit about Iran and its current political events. In fact, I am not even sure if she really knows what what was happening in her country. Or maybe it is because Satrapi herself never personally experiences any hardship in this book. But for me personally this book appears to be too superficial to leave any kind of lasting impression. Maybe it will have some more insight.
Satrapi herself is a descendant of the last emperor of Iran. This quirky and intense autobiographical b/w graphic novel tells of the author's childhood in Iran beginning during the fall of the Shah in 1980. In the opening scene, Satrapi and her schoolmates romp in the playground, using the veils that the school has just issued them as toys.Her parents are active in the revolution against the Shah's government. Her wealthy socialist parents attend demonstrations and educate their daughter in Marxism even as she daydreams of becoming a prophet.But as the revolution progresses, the Islamist forces turn sentiment against the wealthy and the intellectuals, and Satrapi's family becomes the target of repressive forces.Satrapi listens to smuggled tapes of Michael Jackson, Iron Maiden, and Kim Wilde while the war with Iraq devastates the country and her parents become increasingly desperate to find a way to protect her.The black and white art, in small simple panels, is stark and effective, conveying a world that has become a bizarre and unfamiliar cartoon to a girl whose childhood had been one of love, learning, and safety. Much of what Satrapi experiences is the same for teenagers everywhere, and the mix of the familiarity and the surreal is what gives this story much of its power.
perfect condition couldnt be happier. actually turned out to be a good book, though i had it done in a day :(
Marjane describes so many aspects of her childhood during such unstable times. I have been wanting to try reading more graphic novels for awhile now. Persepolis stuck out in my mind because I remember the film adaptation of it being nominated for an Oscar. I would argue that one of the best ways to understand a period of history, is to hear the story from the people who lived it. He then told me that he was a teenager in Iran during that time, he told me a bit about his experiences and how very frightening a time it was.An absolute must read for anyone and everyone. I dove into this book, and had a hard time coming up for air.Once I started reading this book, the artwork stood out as interesting, unique, and not at all what I would have expected from a graphic novel.
Moments like that in the story remind the reader that she wasn't just a child living through a war, she was a child just like any other child. It can be a daunting task picking from a new genre of book to read, but thanks to twitter, I had a ton of great suggestions. I love when she talks about getting cassette tapes on the sly, and how her parents sewed pop culture posters into her dad's coat to smuggle them into Iran for her. Many of the images need no words to express what the author is trying to get across. What stood out to me the most though, was the amazing story of growing up in revolutionary Iran. She wanted posters on her wall, the latest music, and had crushes on boys.Interestingly enough, I was reading this on the bus to work one morning and a man asked me how I was liking the book.
I loved this book and can't wait to start the second book Persepolis: The Story of a Return.
Wouldn't recommend. I like to read a story, not look at pictures. Author's unlikeable.
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