Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, by Marjane Satrapi
Genre: Graphic Novel
This was probably the best graphic novel I’ve read. Even better than Maus!
Marjane Satrapi, the main character (since this is autobiographical…what a concept!), was raised in Iran during the revolution. This novel chronicles her life from birth to age 14 and all the things that go along with being a child in a politically active family and a country torn by war.
After reading Reading Lolita in Tehran I found this book refreshing. Most of the facts lined up with Azar Nafisi’s views of the Iranian Revolution and the way in which women lived. However, I found Persepolis much more rewarding because it was MUCH more personal. The growing-up years are hard enough, but to grow up in a changing environment would compound already turbulent emotions. Satrapi was a lively and rebellious child. She hated wearing the veil, painted her nails even though she could be arrested for it, and she would buy audiotapes on the black market just to get her Iron Maiden fix. There were times when she got into deep trouble for her rebellious nature, and she was on the brink of being arrested at one point, but she never let her surroundings topple her spirits or steal her sense of self.
Satrapi’s illustrations seem to move and breathe. They’re drawn in a very child-like style, which is perfectly appropriate, since she’s telling the story of her childhood. I found myself highly amused by Satrapi’s conversations with God and her illustrations of Him. He kinda looks like Father Christmas or Jerry Garcia.
For more on Marjane Satrapi try:
http://www.bookslut.com/ - They have an interview with Satrapi on the front page, as well as some featured illustrations.
This was probably the best graphic novel I’ve read. Even better than Maus!
Marjane Satrapi, the main character (since this is autobiographical…what a concept!), was raised in Iran during the revolution. This novel chronicles her life from birth to age 14 and all the things that go along with being a child in a politically active family and a country torn by war.
After reading Reading Lolita in Tehran I found this book refreshing. Most of the facts lined up with Azar Nafisi’s views of the Iranian Revolution and the way in which women lived. However, I found Persepolis much more rewarding because it was MUCH more personal. The growing-up years are hard enough, but to grow up in a changing environment would compound already turbulent emotions. Satrapi was a lively and rebellious child. She hated wearing the veil, painted her nails even though she could be arrested for it, and she would buy audiotapes on the black market just to get her Iron Maiden fix. There were times when she got into deep trouble for her rebellious nature, and she was on the brink of being arrested at one point, but she never let her surroundings topple her spirits or steal her sense of self.
Satrapi’s illustrations seem to move and breathe. They’re drawn in a very child-like style, which is perfectly appropriate, since she’s telling the story of her childhood. I found myself highly amused by Satrapi’s conversations with God and her illustrations of Him. He kinda looks like Father Christmas or Jerry Garcia.
For more on Marjane Satrapi try:
http://www.bookslut.com/ - They have an interview with Satrapi on the front page, as well as some featured illustrations.
posted by Anonymous at 3:20 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home