By: Marjane Satrapi Publisher: Pantheon Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 352 Publication Date: October 30, 2007 Release Date: October 30, 2007 Studio: Pantheon
Product Description: Here, in one volume: Marjane Satrapi's best-selling, internationally acclaimed memoir-in-comic-strips.
Persepolis is the story of Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private life and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna facing the trails of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming--both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up.
Edgy, searingly observant, and candid, often heartbreaking but threaded throughout with raw humor and hard-earned wisdom--Persepolis is a stunning work from one of the most highly regarded, singularly talented graphic artists at work today.
First time with a graphic novel- Don't regret it ^ This book was assigned to me and I gotta say, it's one of those you don't regret reading while you have numerous jobs at hand. It truly made me love graphic novels; a must have.
powerful and moving ^ The Complete Persepolis contains Persepolis and Persepolis 2 in one volume. Although there is no indication where the second volume begins, there is a shift in the story. Persepolis is an autobiography in graphic novel. Marjane Satrapi grew up in Iran, and the book is as much a story of the Persian people and Iran's history as it is her own. It's a fascinating look at a country and its history, but it's most remarkable seen through the eyes of a child. It's incredibly moving to think and see how much geography plays into our own sense of self and autobiography.
From a visual standpoint, Persepolis is simple and beautiful. There are frames so packed with meaning, I would stare at them for a few minutes. I would gladly hand several on my wall. It's an incredibly accessible graphic novel, as it's rather verbose, but Satrapi's drawings are powerful.
Persepolis is clearly a powerful book, and I do believe it's an important book, particularly for Westerners. I think it's wonderful and smart, but I didn't quite love it. It moved me deeply, but there was some unknown element inhibiting my full personal enjoyment.
The struggle goes on. ^ "Persepolis" is a graphic novel, originally published in four parts in France. It formed the basis for an animated film that was first released in 2007. It won the Jury Prize at that year's Cannes Film Festival and was also nominated at the Oscars for Best Animated Feature. Rather unusually for a graphic novel, it tells the story of Satrapi's own life.
Marji was an ordinary 10-year old when the Revolution took place in 1979. She was very religious, and desperately wanted to be the last prophet...but she also idolized Bruce Lee and occasionally pretended to be Che Guevara. Naturally, she understood little of the "adult world" - Marji liked the Shah, and believed her teachers when they said he'd been appointed by God. Her parents, with good reason, detested the Shah and soon explained the truth to her. The current Shah inherited his position from his father - who, in turn, had been appointed by the British, rather than God. Furthermore, her Grandfather (a prince, no less) and her Uncle Anoosh had been imprisoned by one Shah or another and both had been devoted Communists - viewed by both Shahs as something evil. Both Marji's parents had been involved in protests against the Shah's regime, though they'd managed to stay out of prison.
With the fall of the Shah, life is - for a short spell - like a dream. Old family friends - like Moshen and Siamak, who had been routinely tortured - and Marji's Uncle Anoosh are released from prison. Like Marji's parents, both are hopeful of a better society. Marji had known nothing of her Uncle before his release from prison but, before long, the pair are devoted to each other. Unfortunately, their hopes prove unfounded. Islamic Fundamentalists win the following elections, and society becomes even more oppressive. Many of the Shah's former enemies - including Anoosh - are hunted down and returned to prison. Moshen, meanwhile, is found dead in his bath...though since only his head was underwater, it was obvious he was murdered. Although some (like Siamak) flee, Marji and her family stay put. War with Iraq sees the authorities calling for martyrs, with our young heroine becoming increasingly disillusioned. As time goes on, though, it becomes increasingly obvious that Marji won't be able to say nothing and keep her head down. As a result, her parents decide to send her to Austria to continue her education. While the move solves some problems, it opens the door to many more...and for many years, leaves Marji trapped between two worlds and unsure where she belongs.
Being a graphic novel, it's not your typical autobiography. There is a brief introduction - using standard prose rather than pictures - where Satrapi tries to explain her reasons for writing this book. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, she says, Iran "has been discussed mostly connection with fundamentalism, fanaticism and terrorism. As an Iranian who has lived more than half my life in Iran I know that this image is far from the truth." Marji proved to be a very likeable character, someone you wanted to see things go right for...though somehow you knew things wouldn't be easy. She and her family did have a tricky life in Iran. Her difficulties with social classes, religious regimes, wars and rivalries set her apart- and the suffering of her family, friends and neighbours under two repressive regimes shouldn't be glossed over. (These regimes weren't entirely "their" fault either - there was a certain amount of sneaky Western interference). Her life in Austria - a democratic, western country - wasn't pleasant either. There, she was always the outsider, someone set apart - with things sometimes descending to blatant racism. Nevertheless, it's a book that's definitely recommended.
Very powerful, engaging read ^ I had heard SO many good things about both Persepolis I and II, and for some reason I kept putting off reading them, so when I found this book at my library I finally just bit the bullet and took it home. I was definitely nervous about reading it - first of all, I have very little experience with graphic novels, and secondly, I was very aware of my high expectations for the book based on all the positive reviews it's garnered recently. I shouldn't have worried, though, because The Complete Persepolis was overall very enjoyable for me.
I say overall because I have to admit that there was one thing about the book that bugged me - the writing was SO tiny! I'm glad that this wasn't my first graphic novel, because I think I would have become frustrated with the genre if it was. I had a difficult time sometimes reading everything that was written, and I think the black and white pictures also worked against my eyes - they were trying to take in so much, and some of it was really hard to see! Besides that minor complaint, I thought the book was pretty awesome. It was a highly educational experience for me - I really have no knowledge of this period of Iran's history (well, I don't have much knowledge of Iran, period), and to see these events through Marjane's eyes (with her explaining the history all along) was captivating. I also was interested in the history for a personal reason - one of my uncles (by marriage) was born in Iran and didn't come to the U.S. until he was twenty-two. In fact, I don't know his exact age but I think he came here at about the same time The Complete Persepolis takes place (late 1970's, early 1980's). My uncle has a lot to say about his dissatisfaction with his native country's history, but I never truly knew the facts of that history. Reading the book made me realize how ignorant I am about the history and culture of one person in my life who is very important to me. It also made me want to learn even more about Iran's history.
While I found Satrapi's story to be a great learning experience, I also found the book highly entertaining and very accessible. Satrapi writes so candidly, so casually and at times hysterically that the reader can't help but understand her and sympathize with everything she's been through. Also, she wrote the book in such a way that really made me want to be friends with her - she was seriously hilarious at so many points throughout the book, yet still so dead serious about the events that took place. Really, the way she crafted her story was just lovely, and I pretty much loved every minute of reading it.
I definitely recommend this one. Even though I had a rough time with the physical act of reading the book, The Complete Persepolis was more than worth the strain it put on my eyes. If you enjoy or want to try graphic novels, or like history, or like memoirs, read this book!
A glimpse into a very different culture ^ I teach this graphic novel in a university course in young adult literature. It is one of the students' favorites, and it provides valuable insights into a culture and a history that most of us Americans don't really understand, despite our heavy involvement in the Middle East.
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