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A review by aoki_reads
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
5.0
What a brilliant idea to present a memoir as a comic-in-strips! Persepolis is now not only one of my favorite graphic novels, but a favorite autobiographical account as well.
The story follows the outspoken Marjane “Marji” Satrapi, who watches the hated Shah’s defeat through young eyes during the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Following the defeat, Marji’s coming-of-age memoir explores her childhood and early adult life during and after the Islamic Revolution. The new Iran— now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become repressive and suffocating. When Marjane dangerously refuses to remain silent during political upheaval, her family sends her abroad to Vienna in hopes of giving her a chance at a better and more fulfilling life.
But there are problems in Vienna, too. Marji comes across some pretty harsh individuals, a culture that is extremely different from her own, and a slew of other issues that trouble her during her stay. We read of her battles in both her homeland of Iran, and the foreign Western world that is Austria. Much of this graphic novel is about identity and Marjane finding her place with the support of her loving, and typically supportive family.
I absolutely loved this memoir, because I’m fond of non-fiction that reads like a story. Not only do you get to learn about Iranian history, but you learn through the eyes of a young girl grappling with how to survive in a place that attempted to diminish the expression of an entire people, especially its girls and women. You’re reading the words of a young girl who has lost family and friends due to the Revolution, and ultimately her joy and peace of mind. I shed some tears throughout— what a way to grow up. But with tears also came plenty of laugh out loud moments. Marji’s fiery demeanor is a stand-out in this novel. Her fiesty, educated responses always tickled me. Reminds me a lot of myself! I often related to her in that way, and when you find characters you are fond of, it always makes for an easy read.
Everyone needs to read Persepolis, it’s a modern classic with a fun format. It’s like The Handmaid’s Tale combined with the graphic novel prowess of Maus. What an engaging way to learn about a country’s tumultuous history. I highly recommend, and now I’m off to watch the film adaptation.
The story follows the outspoken Marjane “Marji” Satrapi, who watches the hated Shah’s defeat through young eyes during the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Following the defeat, Marji’s coming-of-age memoir explores her childhood and early adult life during and after the Islamic Revolution. The new Iran— now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become repressive and suffocating. When Marjane dangerously refuses to remain silent during political upheaval, her family sends her abroad to Vienna in hopes of giving her a chance at a better and more fulfilling life.
But there are problems in Vienna, too. Marji comes across some pretty harsh individuals, a culture that is extremely different from her own, and a slew of other issues that trouble her during her stay. We read of her battles in both her homeland of Iran, and the foreign Western world that is Austria. Much of this graphic novel is about identity and Marjane finding her place with the support of her loving, and typically supportive family.
I absolutely loved this memoir, because I’m fond of non-fiction that reads like a story. Not only do you get to learn about Iranian history, but you learn through the eyes of a young girl grappling with how to survive in a place that attempted to diminish the expression of an entire people, especially its girls and women. You’re reading the words of a young girl who has lost family and friends due to the Revolution, and ultimately her joy and peace of mind. I shed some tears throughout— what a way to grow up. But with tears also came plenty of laugh out loud moments. Marji’s fiery demeanor is a stand-out in this novel. Her fiesty, educated responses always tickled me. Reminds me a lot of myself! I often related to her in that way, and when you find characters you are fond of, it always makes for an easy read.
Everyone needs to read Persepolis, it’s a modern classic with a fun format. It’s like The Handmaid’s Tale combined with the graphic novel prowess of Maus. What an engaging way to learn about a country’s tumultuous history. I highly recommend, and now I’m off to watch the film adaptation.