Persepolis

by Marjane Satrapi

Rating: 5     31 Votes

Tags: Set in IRAN Female author

Persepolis

Description:
BEST SELLER • A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s acclaimed graphic memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. “A wholly original achievement.... Satrapi evokes herself and her schoolmates coming of age in a world of protests and disappearances.... A stark, shocking impact.” —The New York Times: "The 50 Best Memoirs of the Past 50 Years" In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the coming-of-age 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.

Reviews

Read Around The World Challenge user profile avatar for Mardi
(1 day ago)
02 Dec, 2023
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is a remarkable memoir about growing up as a young girl in revolutionary Iran. It is written in a comic book style, which makes it unique and an easy read. An Iranian friend loaned me this book because of my interest in learning about cultures that we, as Westerners, know little about. The true stories, not the stories fabricated by the media. This story ignited many emotions (including happiness and laughter) and humbled me. The fight for freedom, the hunger to be heard, the restraints of opportunity and the sheer frustration of wanting to be your own person. The wars, devastation, heartache and the shattering of innocent lives made me realise, there are many cultures we don’t truly know. I highly recommend this book. It will open your eyes to a political and social culture that has stood the test of time … and survived.

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