Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

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Persepolis: the Story of an Iranian Childhood
by Marjane Satrapi

I saw the movie years ago not long after it came out, and I've had volume 2 on my shelves for nearly that long. But it's taken me until now to finally read volume 1. I got it out of the library to read as part of a genre swap I hosted at Carpe Librum. I needed that push to finally read it, apparently.

I'm so glad I did, though. I was born in 1980, so I wasn't really aware of what went on in Iran during this time period. Persepolis shows one young girl's experience from the age of six to fourteen, growing up in Iran as it changes in government, politics, and culture. The climate becomes stifling and oppresive, but there's a lot more to it even for a little girl. Relatives are imprisoned, her parents go to protests, many friends' parents die after being tortured in prison or while fighting. The author is able to tell the story so powerfully even though it's through a child's eyes. It's impressive, tragic, sometimes even funny.

I felt like I was immersed in her world, her life. The striking black and white images are bold and still expressive, showing emotion as well as story. I was instantly worried and sympathetic. But it was more than just intimately experiencing this time and place in one girl's life. It shows the greater truths of life and family, survival and desire.