Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis. New York: Pantheon Books.

Persepolis, The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi is the author’s memoir of her childhood growing up in Iran during the time of the Islamic Revolution. It begins when Marjane is six years old and ends when she is fourteen. She describes events that took place in her hometown, Tehran, the capital of Iran, as she lived them. Events experienced by every day common people in Iran are described through Strapi’s narrations and direct conversations. She tells stories of how events happening in Iran during the chaotic and dangerous Islamic Revolution affected her, her family, and the people she knew. She described her feelings of wearing a veil, her relatives being imprisoned, tortured, and executed by the governments, protesters being murdered, and other horrifying events. The book ends with the author’s parents sending her to Austria to live with relatives to protect her from the dangers of war and revolt. This book is written in a graphic novel format and is a memoir of the author’s childhood. Each chapter tells a different story about events in her life. The pictures show the faces of the characters' many emotions they are experiencing such as fear, sadness, anxiety and anger. The book is written for young adults, but adults can enjoy the book as well. The author shines a light on the common people of Iran, recognizing they did not always agree with the government. The book makes the reader realize the Iranian people suffered under their government. Persepolis, The Story of a Childhood is presented in a different perspective of life in Iran than we normally picture. I would recommend Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return as the next book in the collection of Marjane Satrapi’s titles.