Friday 56 & #BookBeginnings: Persepolis



For Book Beginnings:
- p. 3

For Friday 56:
For days and days I walked through the falling snow. I crossed the Alborz Mountains to find refuge at my parents' house in Astara. 
- p. 56

About Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood: Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.

Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran and of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. Marjane’s child’s-eye view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, with laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love.

This is considered a graphic novel, but everything in it is true and the child-like imagery belies the story behind it: this is about Iran's Islamic revolution in the 1970s. I learned about this book through a friend; she raved about the book, raved eve more about the animated movie, and so when I came across this at a booksale (hardcover, baby!) ... it was a no brainer. Is this something you would read?

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9 comments

  1. I read Persepolis a couple of years ago. I really liked it and I think it is a great book/ graphic novel. I hope you enjoy it (I feel like "enjoy" isn't the right word when sad things happen...)
    ps. sorry if this comment gets posted twice I think my browser crashed before it sent the first time.

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    1. This was a really surprising read just because I associate comics with kiddie stuff. And yeah, "enjoy" doesn't really cut it with this book. (it just posted once!)

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  2. I read this and Maus about the same time. It was really interesting to see such serious topics presented in such a different way.

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    1. I keep hearing about Maus! I really should delve into this genre a bit more.

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  3. I've heard good things about this graphic novel but I have yet to check it out for myself. Will have to bump it up my want-to-read pile now ;) Thanks for sharing this, happy reading!

    By the way, have I mentioned that I like your new layout here? :)

    My Friday Book Memes

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    1. Thanks Lianne! This is a goody. I have to get part 2 at some point. I hope you're doing ok in this weird cold weather ... I guess all the more to get some reading done.

      I was feeling the change. Thanks! :)
      I felt the

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  4. I like the sound of this one! Thanks for sharing...and enjoy!

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  5. Interesting and bright cover!
    What a cool beginning! I like how it's illustrated, you definitely get what the author wants you to.
    Sounds and looks to be quite a fascinating book!

    Happy weekend!

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© guiltless readingMaira Gall