You Say You Want a Revolution

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

By Marjane Satrapi

I waited a little longer than I originally intended to start posting my graphic novel reviews. This being my first experience reading them, I had to let it all sink in a little. The text readings assigned for my class have helped, too, and I feel that I can better review and explain things now that I’m more familiar with the genre and its techniques.

Summary

Persepolis is the memoir of author and artist Marjane Satrapi, an Iranian woman who spent the first 14 years of her life in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Her parents oppose the restrictions placed on citizens, and though they follow the mandates forced upon them, such as women wearing head veils and men growing beards, they rebel in their own ways, and talk freely of their contempt for the situation. Persepolis follows several years of young Marjane’s life, and readers see the situation from her young eyes. Neighbors homes are bombed, family friends are arrested on minimal charges or turn up dead for no reason. As Marjane witnesses the war-torn country move forward, she develops her own thoughts and feelings for the situation, freely expressing her contempt for the restrictions imposed on the people of Iran. The story ends on a cliffhanger (spoiler alert!) when Marjane is 14 and her parents have decided that there are not enough opportunities for their smart and outspoken daughter in Iran, and they send her to Austria to continue her schooling.

Worth staying up past bedtime?
Rating: Up 'Til Dawn

Persepolis was the first graphic novel I have ever read, and it grabbed my attention from the start. Marjane’s illustrations are a fantastic accompaniment to her story, and she does a wonderful job presenting her thoughts, feelings, and emotions as she grows up in such repressive and frightening conditions. Persepolis is one of those books that not only leaves you feeling like you’ve learned a good story, but you’ve really learned some valuable information as well. Throughout the story, Marjane explains elements of the Islamic Revolution, explaining cultural situations and beliefs that I was not previously familiar with. I love that I gained some historical knowledge from this book.

Recommended for ages 13 and up.