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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I didn't enjoy this second volume of Persepolis as much as the first installment; it felt like the author was drifting around and making poor decisions for the majority of the time. But it was eye-opening to see the disconnect she felt in Iran after living in Europe for several years. That feeling of not quite belonging anywhere resonates.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
I did not enjoy this half of Persepolis as much as the first. I really struggled to connect with Marje's journey when she seemed to fail to understand her own place of privilege.
The portions in Austria felt a little disjointed for me and then when she returned to Iran I was just really frustrated with some of her actions and decisions. On the one hand she would protest what she felt were injustices but then she would totally use culture to her advantage when it benefited her.
The part where she blamed another man for touching her so the police wouldn't see her lipstick was a disgusting moment that I don't feel like she ever really dealt with. Or the continuous moments of partying and having her parents bail her out felt really disrespectful? I never felt like she truly appreciated what her parents provided her and by the end I didn't feel like she had grown as a person much? But then maybe she's not supposed to, it's not like she was even halfway through her life by the end.
I feel bad disliking the second half because it's someone's own story and history and Marje admittedly does not try to sugar coat her own story. But I just wanted more reflection.
The portions in Austria felt a little disjointed for me and then when she returned to Iran I was just really frustrated with some of her actions and decisions. On the one hand she would protest what she felt were injustices but then she would totally use culture to her advantage when it benefited her.
I feel bad disliking the second half because it's someone's own story and history and Marje admittedly does not try to sugar coat her own story. But I just wanted more reflection.
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I probably enjoyed this sequel more than i would have without having heard some criticisms of it, which focused on the author's relative privilege as a child of educated and well-networked parents through whom she gained access to support, culture, and travel. My interlocutor was frustrated with this half of Satrapi's story, which he said elicited no sympathy from him, in large part because of the blithe way her self-character elided the plights of and even took advantage of others for her own convenience.
I read the memoir differently, with what i thought was quite obvious self-caricature by someone looking back on they ways they'd behaved—whether admirably or shamefully—in the context of a larger political transformation that imposed changing social constraints. With the acknowledgment that i'd like to have access to accounts from a broader range of witnesses to this history (and recommendations are welcome), this book fully realizes a human perspective on this period, built from both inspiring and cautionary anecdotes that easily transcend their context.
I read the memoir differently, with what i thought was quite obvious self-caricature by someone looking back on they ways they'd behaved—whether admirably or shamefully—in the context of a larger political transformation that imposed changing social constraints. With the acknowledgment that i'd like to have access to accounts from a broader range of witnesses to this history (and recommendations are welcome), this book fully realizes a human perspective on this period, built from both inspiring and cautionary anecdotes that easily transcend their context.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
This was such a stunning graphic memoir! It was simultaneously inspiring and heartbreaking. The conclusion to a 2 part memoir, this one focuses on Marjane Satrapi as she becomes an adult and all the trials and tribulations that go with it.
I can’t say I had a good time reading her story as she goes through more than a young teenager should have to. But it was certainly eye opening to a culture and history about which I know very little. I really enjoyed that the author didn’t shy away from the struggles she went through while living abroad and after she returned home. I loved that this shines a light on a topic that I’m sure quite a few people don’t learn about in depth in school. I did feel like it ended really abruptly, though, and wish we had gotten a little bit more at the end. Still I was completely captivated by Satrapi’s story of her life.
And can we talk about the art? I’m usually a person who loves color and dimension in art when I’m reading a graphic novel. This was in black and white and felt very 2D, but I was still absolutely enthralled. Perhaps it comes from knowing the events depicted actually happened. Either way, I loved it! All around, this was an incredible read.
I can’t say I had a good time reading her story as she goes through more than a young teenager should have to. But it was certainly eye opening to a culture and history about which I know very little. I really enjoyed that the author didn’t shy away from the struggles she went through while living abroad and after she returned home. I loved that this shines a light on a topic that I’m sure quite a few people don’t learn about in depth in school. I did feel like it ended really abruptly, though, and wish we had gotten a little bit more at the end. Still I was completely captivated by Satrapi’s story of her life.
And can we talk about the art? I’m usually a person who loves color and dimension in art when I’m reading a graphic novel. This was in black and white and felt very 2D, but I was still absolutely enthralled. Perhaps it comes from knowing the events depicted actually happened. Either way, I loved it! All around, this was an incredible read.
reflective
medium-paced