Marjane Satrapi

The complete Persepolis

Is she absolutely certain she isn't queer? (There is certainly much more to be said, but what do I need to say other than that I've stayed up past 3 AM to finish this book? It's heartbreaking, it's raw, I hope more people read it and learn from it.)

Jonnie

lala

This graphic novel is very engaging to read. The content is heavy, but paired with the graphics it is very interesting to read. We get to see how Satrapi grows as a woman under an Islamic regime and in the Iran-Iraq War. This is a personal story, told in a beautiful way to illustrate how war and oppressive government affect the live of a person. We get to see how Satrapi manages to live under the oppression, how she wants to escape but unwilling due to her love of the country. The family dynamics of Satrapi’s live plays an important part of the story. This is one of the most interesting book I had read. Hoping to find similar books in the future.

John Manoogian III

A sweet and touching graphic novel. Very human. The praise it receives is well deserved.

Christine Frisbie

This book was amazing with its detail to the political climate of Iran following the Islamic Revolution and the struggles the protagonist and author, Marjane, went through growing up in such a turbulent time. The style makes it easy to read, and I thought that the sections were broken up nicely. Marjane's journey from age 12 to 24 is remarkable to read, and I think it's quite amazing how much a person can change in such a short period of time. This book definitely left an impact on me, and reminded me how important it is to read books outside of one's preconceived norm.

annalyse! 

Aamna

I think this will stay with me for a while.

MacKenzie Hamon

I work two jobs so frankly the fact that I finished this book in three days speaks to its incredible quality. I would love to be able to read the original, but having the artwork was immensely helpful in conveying the story. Probably the best book I've read all year, and there have been some strong contenders, let me tell you. An absolute revelation - can't wait to read Marjane's other titles!

Prashanth Srivatsa

Shocking and painful at times, hilarious otherwise, Satrapi's journey makes you wonder at the insignificance of the inane difficulties of our lives, our political apathy and the cruising monotony we've forced on ourselves for the sake of fitting in. And the graphics are bloody fantastic!

Shona Tiger

oberon vortigern

An excellent memoir about a woman's life in pre and post Islamic Revolution Iran. Highly educational for someone who is not familiar with Iran's modern history, such as me.

I thought the beginning and ending parts were strong and captivating, but the middle part a bit weak, since it dragged on about the same thing again and again. Other than the middle, it is certainly a great read.

the story is interesting, i’m just not that into graphic novels

sage lynn

absolutely stunning work. satrapi manages to accurately relay modern iranian history in a way that is both engaging and gives a human dimension to historic realities. while both tragedy and grief are an indelible part of such tumultuous times, the narration and the graphic format of the story manage to avoid the melodramatic while still invoking a strong reaction and sympathy for satrapi and her family by representing their daily lives through extraordinary events.

undoubtedly 'persepolis's strongest suit is the ability to call on our empathy as human beings and reminds us that we might be different but not incomprehensible to one another.

absolutely stunning work. satrapi manages to accurately relay modern iranian history in a way that is both engaging and gives a human dimension to historic realities. while both tragedy and grief are an indelible part of such tumultuous times, the narration and the graphic format of the story manage to avoid the melodramatic while still invoking a strong reaction and sympathy for satrapi and her family by representing their daily lives through extraordinary events.

undoubtedly 'persepolis's strongest suit is the ability to call on our empathy as human beings and reminds us that we might be different but not incomprehensible to one another.

Lumpkinspice

An amazing memoir of what it is like to grow up in revolutionary Iran. Marvellous insights and a beautiful comic.

Tracie McMurray

Not something I will ever read again. The illustrations were interesting, but the storyline was disjointed.

Allison Garrett

I first read Persepolis (the first book) in my 9th grade English class. At the time I really enjoyed it, but I don’t think I fully understood what all of the history meant besides that there was a war and it was affecting Marjane’s family. I recently reread the complete version for a Middle Eastern history college class, and I loved it. Not only is it an amazing book, it really gave a lot of context to what life was like in Iran during the revolution and afterwards. Marjane lived such an interesting life, and I couldn’t put her story down. I highly recommend this quick read for something different from the ordinary and a good look into someone’s life that is so widely different from mine.

Kali Olson

Marjane Satrapi had a happy childhood in Iran with loving parents, family, and friends. Then, at age ten, in 1979, Marjane’s life was forever changed by the Islamic Revolution. Her parents are intellectuals and Marjane is well-educated at a French school, but once religious rule is established, none of that matters. At first, little Marji finds it all sort of interesting. Wearing the veil is kind of fun; it makes a good ghost mask or superhero cape on the playground. But as rules and laws become harsher and with severe--even deadly--consequences, Marji’s childish innocence fades and her family realizes that little good and much danger can come from this new regime. As the years pass and the government becomes more and more oppressive, it becomes all too apparent that there is no room for even Marji’s typical teenage rebellions, and that her high spirits and sense of independence are not qualities that this Iran will cherish. The two volumes of Persepolis (published as a complete book in 2007 and adapted into an Academy Award-nominated animated film) cover Marjane’s childhood in Iran under fundamentalist rule and her teenage years in Europe, where she was sent at age fourteen to escape the danger that threatened educated young women. Seeing the Iran-Iraq war through a child’s eyes is startling; even in the midst of witnessing kidnappings on the street and hearing about torture victims, Marji has time to long for symbols of freedom like Nike shoes and Michael Jackson records. It’s a point of view that’s real and accurate and that brings the consequences of war home to the reader, as well as offering a readable historical account of a war that many Americans still know little about. The adult author Marjane draws her young self in deep, crisp blacks and whites that are ideal for depicting the horrors of war, but that are still done in a style that can be light and humorous when needed. Persepolis is expressive, endearing, striking, and stirring. Almost universally appealing, this work is certain to become one of the most important graphic novels written today.

Flavia Louise

the_bookishcat

I choose this book as my first reading of 2022 because of its importance of it and well I was not wrong hahaha this book as an autobiography follows the life of Marjane Satrapi an Iranian woman who lived during the Iranian Revolution.
This book shows the story of the life of Marjane and the struggles she had as a woman in a culture where they thought they weren’t equal to men, as well as her own struggles.🤍
I truly enjoyed this book and I genuinely admire the way Marjane speak, with the truth and nothing else, some people may find her rude but while reading I just saw a woman with a powerful mind with important and revolutionary thoughts that maybe for some people may be wrong or maybe she was too sassy but in a country like Iran and she being a woman only showed me how fearless she truly is.🙌🏻
This is an amazing book and regarding your favorite book gender, this is a must for every person to understand the struggles Iran had and how badly represented as a country and population they are.

Find me on my socials! https://thebookishcat.carrd.co/

Athena Eloy

The illustrations are incredible... That was definitely what entranced me. I couldn't help but stay in the world of Persepolis through the dark pieces and the terrible tragedies and through the humor that punctuates the narrative throughout. Satrapi is a masterful writer and a skilled artist and I hope she creates more graphic novels.

Rucha Phatak

Never thought a book will have such effect on me... but it did. Loved this book.

Annalee Harris

Marjane Satrapi prides herself on being a forward-thinking feminist, but this book is rife with so much prejudice, slut-shaming, and fat-shaming that I think she over-estimated her "progressiveness" and relatability. There's nothing relatable about a spoiled brat getting a man arrested. Her "not-like-other-girls" schtick is tired and boring, just like this book.

Ren Christina

A fantastic change of pace given my distaste for my last read. 

This book is unlike any other I've read, which was incredibly refreshing. Marjane's outspoken and often rebellious nature is near infectious. I LOVE IT! 

8/10

Mayra Melo

Special and enlightening.

It was delightful to learn about Iran and the Islamic Revolution, something so far away from me, through the eyes of a character to whom I could so easily relate.

Kerry Gibbons

Wonderful. Gives such a nuanced view into the life of an Iranian woman, of an immigrant... I really enjoyed this book.

The complete Persepolis

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