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Inside The Cover
Book Reviews
Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel Persepolis: The Story
of a Childhood chronicles her Tehran childhood, which was first overshadowed
by the Iranian Revolution, then cut short by war with Iraq.
The book opens in 1979. Marjane
Satrapi was just ten years old when the world as she knew it was turned upside
down. Despite her age, she was keenly aware that the new rules were
to be obeyed, even if she didn’t really understand them. Actually obeying
these new rules however, teenagers being who they are, was of course another
story. By turns funny and sad, Satrapi convinces the women who
catch her with a Michael Jackson button on her denim jacket that it’s really
Malcolm X, and learns that relatives “on a trip” were really imprisoned for
resisting the Shah. Persepolis
reinforces both the ways in which coming of age around the world can be the
same, and yet so very different for kids. While
Satrapi experienced the natural desire to break free of her parents’
constraints just like other teens, she knew any disobedience could cost her
dearly. Not only were her parents keeping her under their watchful eyes, but
also were her family’s friends and neighbors. The Iranian theocracy encouraged
ordinary citizens to report any violations of Islamic law. Raised by forward-thinking parents who taught their
daughter to balance independent thought with respect and adherence to her
Islamic faith, Satrapi’s outspokenness and brutal honesty got her into trouble
at school on more than one occasion. With
war continuing to loom far into her future, and Satrapi continuing to bristle at
conforming to a strict Islamic society where unwavering obedience is expected,
she and her family were finally forced to make a heartbreaking decision. Beginning her book with a brief history of Iran before
jumping into the narrative, Satrapi writes with the innocence of a child and the
knowledge of a grown woman. Her
ability to blend these two sensibilities is highly affective.
The simple, informal writing style, along with the black and white
illustrations, make Persepolis a striking memoir.
Satrapi conveys a familiarity in her tone, like a letter from a friend.
This warmth makes it hard not to feel for her as she learns of the true
fate of imprisoned friends and family members, as the Iraqi bombs fall, and as
she learns that her young male classmates are sent off to war with plastic keys
painted gold – the keys to paradise. Originally published in France, Persepolis is a graphic novel that will appeal to a wide spectrum of readers. Young adults will relate to Marjane Satrapi’s coming of age story. Readers old enough to remember the Iranian Revolution will find the author’s first person account from a young adult perspective enlightening. For people who think graphic novels are just comic books about superheroes, Persepolis is a great introduction to a long-established storytelling format. Amy Brozio-Andrews is a freelance writer and book reviewer. She brings more than five years' experience as a readers' advisory librarian to her work, which is regularly published by Library Journal, The Imperfect Parent, and Absolute Write. Her reviews have also been published by The Absinthe Literary Review, ForeWord Magazine, January Magazine, and Melt Magazine. Amy is also the managing editor and an international markets columnist for Absolute Write. Visit her online at http://www.amyba.com. |
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Persepolis:
The Story of a Childhood
