Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Book Review: Can We Understand ?
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is about a little girl named Marji during the Iranian Revolution (Against the Shah) and the Islamic Revolution ( Against the Islamic Republic). In this book it jumps between periods of time. It starts out after the Iranian Revolution then goes back to the Iranian Revolution. The book then continues staying in the actual order of events. Another thing that is great about Persepolis is how it is a graphic novel memoir.The illustrations really help you visualize the events and lower the reading time.
This book was great. Yet I wonder will I ever be able to understand what Marji went through.This book made me greatful for how we are not oppresed.
Book Review: Humanizing tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Persepolis truly humanized what has happened in Iran in the last few years for me. The young girl's tale is precocious and beautifully told by Satrapi. I have not seen the movie but look forward to it. Book Review: Graphic Novel as One Child's Diary, A Document of History
Summary: 5 Stars
First, I want to point out that despite the ostensibly grim subject matter the author's sense of humor, at times insouciant and deliciously irreverent, shines through. This is not a book that will depress you. It educates while involving you intimately with the life of Marjane Satrapi and her entire family.
A second note: too many intellectual blowhards dismiss the graphic novel genre as "comics for kids." Yet ever since Art Spiegelman's Maus, we've seen the rise of a richly developed class of historical graphic novels. These works provide the same level of edification and sophistication as any good historical nonfiction book. It's like reading a diary with pictures. The format doesn't detract from the story. It enhances it.
At its most basic, Persepolis is the touching experience of a young girl growing up in Iran during the reign of the Shah and the turbulent aftermath of revolution and Islamic repression. This biography in graphic form is helpful for non-Iranians, and I daresay Americans in particular. I think many Americans (myself included) have a tendency to see their country as the beacon of democracy. Americans tend to act as though we are the only ones who have struggled so valiantly to achieve democratic equality. In contrast, Americans look at other countries struggling towards (but so far failing to achieve) these ideals as backward and superstitious. Persepolis shows a more nuanced reality. Instead of just viewing Iran as a dangerous and backward Islamic country, this memoir illustrates the country's historic battles for freedom and equality. Against the backdrop of imperialism and capitalism without a political voice, we see how Iran has evolved into what it is today. In other words, Persepolis reveals how Iran's current problems stem from more complex roots than simple "Islamofascism".
A final note - please, please, whatever you do, read the book before seeing the film. The book is far superior at developing the characters so you truly care about them. The film smashes both Persepolis I and II together, abbreviating events in such a way that poignant and fascinating encounters are lost.
Book Review: A powerful story
Summary: 4 Stars
The story of a young girl growing up in Iran in the 80s. "Forrest Gump" let me see history through a fresh innocent set of eyes and I found "Persepolis" much the same. No one should have to live in such an environment, much less a child, yet Satrapi has so much hope, so much fire and spirit in her. Such and enlightening and powerful story. Book Review: Real Iran
Summary: 4 Stars
A must read for its humor and descriptive qualities. A corrective to be digested by warmongers and propagandists.