Scan barcode
lilreddress's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Torture, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Sexism, Death, and Alcohol
Minor: Mental illness, Homophobia, Cancer, Bullying, Murder, Self harm, Blood, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Rape, and Suicide
marissasa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I've never read a graphic novel like this one, in that it was the first non-fiction, historical, autobiographical one and that it was so unique and it really felt like you were seeing years of war-torn life in Iran play out from the eyes of a young, strong-minded, educated girl. This story balanced the bold and fun-loving feelings of being a kid so well with the hard-hitting realities of political unrest and the terrifying outcomes for those who joined in the revolution. I was truly impressed by the simple yet powerful art style of the comic panels, and felt like all the artistic choices from the use of only black and white to the large half or full page spreads scattered throughout were so intentional and integral to the storytelling. I couldn't stop reading and was so engrossed in the way that the author showed herself as the outspoken and loving Marji, who didn't shy away from learning about politics or hearing her family member's dark stories about imprisonment and losing their homes. This book also ends on a perfect sad cliffhanger that makes me want to read sequel immediately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Alcohol, Mass/school shootings, War, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Torture, Violence, Grief, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, and Miscarriage
Minor: Cancer, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Gun violence
leahsbooks's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Wow, I grabbed this at the library on a whim and wasn't quite prepared for how amazing this story would be.
Growing up in the US, we really never learned much about Iran other than the revolution and ongoing tension. I knew there was a revolution that had occurred there before I was born, but I didn't know much more about it. Until now. Marjane Satrapi takes us through the events leading up to the revolution and beyond, as she saw it during her own childhood.
Growing up in a progressive and well-educated family worked both for and against Marjane during these times. She's clearly smart, and her parents didn't generally sugarcoat things just because she was a child. I guess growing up during a revolution and subsequent war makes it hard to shield your kids from the harsh realities of life. But the repressive regime created a dichotomy between what was okay to say and do within the boundaries of her home and what was okay outside of the home, like while she was in school. Marjane developed a rebellious nature and often had difficulty adjusting to what was expected of her within the strict confines of society.
My heart broke for Marjane. Seeing her creative and outgoing nature become stifled by religious and political repression was devastating, but she also loved her country as it used to be. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to see everything in your life change so quickly, and have to adjust to dramatic changes to your freedom and society. By the time I finished, I was ready to request the sequel just to find out what happens to this smart and resilient girl.
Growing up in the US, we really never learned much about Iran other than the revolution and ongoing tension. I knew there was a revolution that had occurred there before I was born, but I didn't know much more about it. Until now. Marjane Satrapi takes us through the events leading up to the revolution and beyond, as she saw it during her own childhood.
Growing up in a progressive and well-educated family worked both for and against Marjane during these times. She's clearly smart, and her parents didn't generally sugarcoat things just because she was a child. I guess growing up during a revolution and subsequent war makes it hard to shield your kids from the harsh realities of life. But the repressive regime created a dichotomy between what was okay to say and do within the boundaries of her home and what was okay outside of the home, like while she was in school. Marjane developed a rebellious nature and often had difficulty adjusting to what was expected of her within the strict confines of society.
My heart broke for Marjane. Seeing her creative and outgoing nature become stifled by religious and political repression was devastating, but she also loved her country as it used to be. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to see everything in your life change so quickly, and have to adjust to dramatic changes to your freedom and society. By the time I finished, I was ready to request the sequel just to find out what happens to this smart and resilient girl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Cancer
More...