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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
A very strong follow up for [b:Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood|9516|Persepolis The Story of a Childhood (Persepolis, #1-2)|Marjane Satrapi|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327884892s/9516.jpg|3303888], this book takes us in Europe, where Marji will face mockeries, cultural differences and identity crisis, before deciding to go back home, to feel like a stranger in her own country.
I found everything I loved about the first book in this one. Great read
I found everything I loved about the first book in this one. Great read
Given the great impact of Marjane Satrapi's first graphic memoir, Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return proved to be a brilliant continuation.
With both written narrative and illustration, Satrapi does a brilliant job of authentically demonstrating the inner unrest and depression of someone caught between two profoundly different cultures. This struggle is further compounded as these events take place right as Marji is coming of age and trying to discover who she is as an individual.
A common theme that is executed quite well is the contrast of expectations of fantasy generated in trying times, juxtaposed with lackluster and disappointing realities. Whether its Marji's personal journey to healing after Austria, or Iran's reconstruction as a country following the Islamic Revolution, idealized dreams of warmer futures are often dashed by colder realities. Furthermore, the visual way these elements are presented clearly convey Marji's own inner emptiness as she grapples with a number of issues.
As with the first Persepolis, the second is impressive in that despite trying conditions, the narrative inspires hope. Marji pushes through despite overwhelming circumstances, with the help of her supportive family, and desire to learn guiding her through different periods of turmoil. Her love of family and learning both serve to reinforce each other, and push her forward as a person.
Overall, I would recommend both graphic memoirs. They are pretty great.
With both written narrative and illustration, Satrapi does a brilliant job of authentically demonstrating the inner unrest and depression of someone caught between two profoundly different cultures. This struggle is further compounded as these events take place right as Marji is coming of age and trying to discover who she is as an individual.
A common theme that is executed quite well is the contrast of expectations of fantasy generated in trying times, juxtaposed with lackluster and disappointing realities. Whether its Marji's personal journey to healing after Austria, or Iran's reconstruction as a country following the Islamic Revolution, idealized dreams of warmer futures are often dashed by colder realities. Furthermore, the visual way these elements are presented clearly convey Marji's own inner emptiness as she grapples with a number of issues.
As with the first Persepolis, the second is impressive in that despite trying conditions, the narrative inspires hope. Marji pushes through despite overwhelming circumstances, with the help of her supportive family, and desire to learn guiding her through different periods of turmoil. Her love of family and learning both serve to reinforce each other, and push her forward as a person.
Overall, I would recommend both graphic memoirs. They are pretty great.
emotional
medium-paced
You know how sometimes you pick up a book with the hope of achieving nothing but a lightness of mind, sort of like a distraction from all that is going on around you? That is the reason why I started reading Persepolis. I had been introduced to me by a friend and though I found it mildly interesting, I had put it on my ‘Must-read’ list. Well, if you must know, my ‘Must-read’ list comprises of widely acclaimed books like those of Marquez’s and Tolstoy’s that I’d really love to be in love with. Someday.
For one, Persepolis is a graphic novel. You know, the ones with cute illustrations, characters speaking out in bubbles and rouge-on-the-cheek shown as a blob of pencil shade. Like Tintin. Or Calvin n Hobbes. Funny, but a bit juvenile, I thought. Boy, was I wrong!
Persepolis 1 & 2 traces the story of Marjane Satrapi, an Iranian girl. With simple words and illustrations Marjane describes her memories of growing up in the war-struck country, moving to Vienna at 10, coming back after a few years, studying in Iran under the reign of Islamic Revolutionaries and finally moving out for good.
Personally, I’ve been very interested in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and other Islamic nations (except for the UAE. Yawn!) I know not where this fascination comes from, but it has resulted in me trying to read Quran, understand the fanatics’ perspective and such in my late teens. Needless to say, my grandparents were deeply disturbed by this, even as my parents tried explaining to them that ‘it was just a phase’. My mother blamed it on Kamala Suraiyya and stopped prodding me to read Malayalam literature. Anyway, my point was, as much as I tried to understand what is going on there, there were always holes in my theories, you know. For instance, how the entire thing started was a mystery – yes, I knew it was about the oil and yes, the ‘Burger-and-Fries’ nation was involved, but the real deal – no idea. I tried reading about it in magazines and newspapers but after 2 pages of words like ‘imperialists’, ‘savak’, ‘proletariat’ etc, I gave up. It took too much effort to understand what was going on.
What I find absolutely amazing about Persepolis is the ease with which the author explains what went wrong at Iran. It describes the effect of the countries mucked up political situations on the common man with simple words, instances and often, a ting of humor.
I could go on and on about this, but nothing I say can do justice to Satrapi’s work. All I can say is this one is, officially, one of my favs.
So, happy reading :)
PS: If anyone is tempted to give Persepolis a shot, I have the ebook with me. Drop me a mail and I’ll let ya borrow it.
( http://ponderingsofaninsomniac.wordpress.com )
For one, Persepolis is a graphic novel. You know, the ones with cute illustrations, characters speaking out in bubbles and rouge-on-the-cheek shown as a blob of pencil shade. Like Tintin. Or Calvin n Hobbes. Funny, but a bit juvenile, I thought. Boy, was I wrong!
Persepolis 1 & 2 traces the story of Marjane Satrapi, an Iranian girl. With simple words and illustrations Marjane describes her memories of growing up in the war-struck country, moving to Vienna at 10, coming back after a few years, studying in Iran under the reign of Islamic Revolutionaries and finally moving out for good.
Personally, I’ve been very interested in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and other Islamic nations (except for the UAE. Yawn!) I know not where this fascination comes from, but it has resulted in me trying to read Quran, understand the fanatics’ perspective and such in my late teens. Needless to say, my grandparents were deeply disturbed by this, even as my parents tried explaining to them that ‘it was just a phase’. My mother blamed it on Kamala Suraiyya and stopped prodding me to read Malayalam literature. Anyway, my point was, as much as I tried to understand what is going on there, there were always holes in my theories, you know. For instance, how the entire thing started was a mystery – yes, I knew it was about the oil and yes, the ‘Burger-and-Fries’ nation was involved, but the real deal – no idea. I tried reading about it in magazines and newspapers but after 2 pages of words like ‘imperialists’, ‘savak’, ‘proletariat’ etc, I gave up. It took too much effort to understand what was going on.
What I find absolutely amazing about Persepolis is the ease with which the author explains what went wrong at Iran. It describes the effect of the countries mucked up political situations on the common man with simple words, instances and often, a ting of humor.
I could go on and on about this, but nothing I say can do justice to Satrapi’s work. All I can say is this one is, officially, one of my favs.
So, happy reading :)
PS: If anyone is tempted to give Persepolis a shot, I have the ebook with me. Drop me a mail and I’ll let ya borrow it.
( http://ponderingsofaninsomniac.wordpress.com )
I might have even enjoyed this more than the first volume (enjoyed is maybe the wrong word, hopefully you know what I mean)
Je to už celkem dlouhá doba, co jsem se do této knihy chtěla pustit, ovšem až tento rok jsem se rozhodla, že se více začnu věnovat grafickým románům, takže proč jako první nezvolit tohle? Po dočtení musím říct, že má volba byla výborná. Kniha splnila všechny mé požadavky pro dobré čtení. Kresba byla fakt podařená a hlavně jedinečná. Moc se mi líbil i ten samotný příběh, který rozhodně není pouze o Islámské revoluci – právě naopak je to spíše o střetu různých kultur a hledání vlastní identity. Marjane je vskutku silná osobnost. Já jsem s tímto grafickým románem opravdu jen a jen spokojená, tudíž mi nezbývá nic jiného, než vám ho všemi deseti doporučit.
Celá recenze se nachází na blogu: http://yours-fantasy.blogspot.cz/2015/01/recenze-persepolis.html
Celá recenze se nachází na blogu: http://yours-fantasy.blogspot.cz/2015/01/recenze-persepolis.html
While this was a great book and there were moments that picked a punch, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first Persepolis. Marjane’s parents are wonderful and I wish there was more of them in this book, but I imagine the author also wishes she had more time with her parents. In some ways I wish this would have expanded more on her parents’ experience/feelings.
Persepolis 2 begins with Marjane moving from Iran to Austria as a young teenager. Her parents have sent her to live with a family friend abroad because Iran is too unstable and dangerous.
She addresses with honesty her adventures and misadventures with drugs, love, depression, and figuring out her identity as she builds a life for herself in Austria, gets homesick and feels stuck, and moves back home to Iran. Ultimately, she gets her life together and moves to France.
My favorite scenes were those depicting the group of punks (it was the 80s after all) that were the first to accept her despite (or rather because of) her outsider status in Austria. She even got into punk fashion herself, although it did not become her permanent style.
Tragic, hilarious, relatable, educational. I highly recommend Persepolis 1 and 2 for the down-to-earth way in which they depict what it is like to grow up alongside war and death, to live in a country that grows into a place you can no longer call home, and to experience a multinational existence that means lots of good-byes and making new friends and reinventing yourself, all while trying to process the many things you've been through.
She addresses with honesty her adventures and misadventures with drugs, love, depression, and figuring out her identity as she builds a life for herself in Austria, gets homesick and feels stuck, and moves back home to Iran. Ultimately, she gets her life together and moves to France.
My favorite scenes were those depicting the group of punks (it was the 80s after all) that were the first to accept her despite (or rather because of) her outsider status in Austria. She even got into punk fashion herself, although it did not become her permanent style.
Tragic, hilarious, relatable, educational. I highly recommend Persepolis 1 and 2 for the down-to-earth way in which they depict what it is like to grow up alongside war and death, to live in a country that grows into a place you can no longer call home, and to experience a multinational existence that means lots of good-byes and making new friends and reinventing yourself, all while trying to process the many things you've been through.
Wasn't as enjoyable as the first one, but still a good read to complete the series.