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erikariehigano22's review against another edition
5.0
The book starts off with a brief summary of the history of Iran and its background of constant colonisation from the Greeks, the Arabs, the Turks, to the Mongols, and the West in the Twentieth Century. This is essential as the book is set on the onset and duration of the Cultural Revolution that later instigated Islamic Fundamentalism in Iranian society, forcing the new generation to a lifetime experiences of war.
We read the life and perspective of the author Marjane during her childhood as the only child of her parents connected with her relatives and her local community. Her parents are radicals involved with communist and socialist school of thought in Tehran with their participations in demonstrations and the influence on Marjane's outlook in life and her beliefs that made her so outspoken and bold despite the growing restraint on women in her society.
There is something to be said when events of war and cruelty under a political dictatorship are presented through the perspective and narration of a child. It adds up to how profound and haunting the situation is in Iran and evokes the reader to feel horrified. And that's the goal of Persepolis, to tell the reader that this is the cruelty that's been forced to be normalised in the lives of people in Iran. They want to live their own lives with dignity and comfort, just like the rest of us. The early chapters are very enlightening to the reader to emphasise the social inequality in Iran, one of the societal issues during the reign of the Shah. Living to see family friends, families of classmates, neighbours, relatives persecuted and executed was the kind of trauma that Marjane had to live during the Iran-Iraqi war. There were times I did wanted to cry for how traumatic a young child had to endure this.
One scene that stuck me profound was how Marjane let go of her childhood when she tried that cigarette she stole from an uncle during a family party two weeks prior. Though it was not implied, I like to think that with the current circumstances and the turmoil in her society, she and the rest of her peers who were either forced to be recruited in the war or be subjected to the regime, they all had to mature early and abandon the innocence of their childhood for survival.
I think one of my most favourite part was the ending, funny enough as someone who hated endings. As a recent migrant who had to live her country for the sake of better opportunities and to improve my quality of life, I felt Marjane and I shared that same heartbreak even despite boarding that plane in different stages of our life and with different things happening in our countries. The last frame of her mother fainted in her father's arms as they watch Marjane leave towards a better life away from them, away from home.
"Don't ever forget who you are!"
"No. I won't ever forget."
For even the turmoil you have to endure at home even if it kills you, your home is still home.
I am very much looking forward to read the second book of the English edition.
We read the life and perspective of the author Marjane during her childhood as the only child of her parents connected with her relatives and her local community. Her parents are radicals involved with communist and socialist school of thought in Tehran with their participations in demonstrations and the influence on Marjane's outlook in life and her beliefs that made her so outspoken and bold despite the growing restraint on women in her society.
There is something to be said when events of war and cruelty under a political dictatorship are presented through the perspective and narration of a child. It adds up to how profound and haunting the situation is in Iran and evokes the reader to feel horrified. And that's the goal of Persepolis, to tell the reader that this is the cruelty that's been forced to be normalised in the lives of people in Iran. They want to live their own lives with dignity and comfort, just like the rest of us. The early chapters are very enlightening to the reader to emphasise the social inequality in Iran, one of the societal issues during the reign of the Shah. Living to see family friends, families of classmates, neighbours, relatives persecuted and executed was the kind of trauma that Marjane had to live during the Iran-Iraqi war. There were times I did wanted to cry for how traumatic a young child had to endure this.
One scene that stuck me profound was how Marjane let go of her childhood when she tried that cigarette she stole from an uncle during a family party two weeks prior. Though it was not implied, I like to think that with the current circumstances and the turmoil in her society, she and the rest of her peers who were either forced to be recruited in the war or be subjected to the regime, they all had to mature early and abandon the innocence of their childhood for survival.
I think one of my most favourite part was the ending, funny enough as someone who hated endings. As a recent migrant who had to live her country for the sake of better opportunities and to improve my quality of life, I felt Marjane and I shared that same heartbreak even despite boarding that plane in different stages of our life and with different things happening in our countries. The last frame of her mother fainted in her father's arms as they watch Marjane leave towards a better life away from them, away from home.
"Don't ever forget who you are!"
"No. I won't ever forget."
For even the turmoil you have to endure at home even if it kills you, your home is still home.
I am very much looking forward to read the second book of the English edition.
klaireparavel's review against another edition
5.0
This book was part of my Women's Studies class and I'm so glad it was. However, it's more a of a people study, rather than a study of women.
It gave me an unexpected perspective of Iran prior to the religous revolution and greater insight into the Iran of today. Simple storyboards/illustrations that pack a lot of punch.
It gave me an unexpected perspective of Iran prior to the religous revolution and greater insight into the Iran of today. Simple storyboards/illustrations that pack a lot of punch.
krishnendu's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful and personal account of the Islamic revolution and the first gulf war through a child's eyes. Delightful comic panels!
alonaabu's review against another edition
5.0
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is a nonfiction memoir in a form of a graphic novel. This story follow Marjane from the ages of six to fourteen. It is her story growing up in Iran during the Islamic revolution. Growing up during war and the revolution Marjane is able to show us an interesting perspective in this time. Her parents being devoted Marxists and her being the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors she gives a unique point of view of this time. Satrapi is able to show us the daily life in Iran but not just all the bad that came with the war, but also the silver linings throughout. Her writing is also special to me. The black and white pictures stood out to me. The drawings were beautiful and captured the essence of the story very well. She was able to give us a full story in this short 150 page graphic novel. I was able to connect to the characters and grow with them. I would definitely recommend this book to those who not only love history but everyone. If you are apprehensive to read a graphic novel this is a really good first graphic novel. It has all the elements of a graphic novel and still is able to provide the same satisfaction as a novel.
dodosbookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5