Book Review Archive 29.06.03 [88]
Perseplois, A Story of Childhood If you have hit this page 
and have no navigation:
Click Here

Marjane SatrapiPantheon Graphic Novels

Click to view larger
Persepolis

Click on these drawings from the book to view full pages

1. The Veil
Persepolis strip

2. Persepolis
Persepolis spread Persepolis spread

3. The Party
Persepolis spread Persepolis spread

3. The Trip
Persepolis spread Persepolis spread


 
Originally published to wide critical acclaim in France, where it elicited comparisons to Art Spiegelman's Maus, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi's wise, funny, and heartbreaking 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: of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life and of the enormous toll repressive regimes exact on the individual spirit. 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 stunning reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, through 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.

Read about Satrapi's inspiration and writing process, in her own words.


Images Copyright © 2003 Marjane Satrapi
Back to Marjane Satrapi main page

Alex Ross | Marjane Satrapi | Kim Deitch | Sarah Boxer | Raymond Briggs | Daniel Clowes | Charles Schulz | Matt Groening | Ben Katchor | Art Spiegelman | Chris Ware | Home


 
 







| Back | Index | New Society Newsletter July-August 2003 |

BLUE is looking for short fiction, extracts of novels, poetry, lyrics, polemics, opinions, eyewitness accounts, reportage, features, information and arts in any form relating to eco cultural- social- spiritual issues, events and activites (creative and political). Send to Newsdesk.