Persepolis

Satrapi, Marjane. The Complete Persepolis. 2003, 2004. Pantheon, 341 pages. $24.95 ISBN: 9780375714832

Plot Summary:

Persepolis chronicles Satrapi’s adolescence in Tehran, Iran in the 1980’s during the Islamic Revolution in a stunningly illustrated graphic novel.  Satrapi’s family suffered under the Shah and under the Islamic Regime.  Satrapi describes having family members imprisoned and executed, being forced to wear a veil and the fear of living in a city being bombed, but she is also a typical teen who loves rock music and American fashion.  As a teen Satrapi’s parents, believing Iran has become too dangerous, send her to live in Austria.  At first she was happy in Austria, but eventually after leaving a cheating boyfriend and spending time living on the streets, Satrapi returns to Iran to make a life there. 

Critical Review:

Persepolis is moving story of one young girl’s experience growing up during the Islamic Revolution and the resulting government.  Parts of Satrapi’s story will resonate with American teens and other parts may make teens appreciate the freedoms they enjoy in America.  Satrapi may experience oppression at the hand of her government, but she clearly loves her Iranian culture and heritage.   She is a strong, smart, and independent young woman whose ability to overcome obstacles and rise above challenges is a lesson to all.
 

Genre:

Graphic Novels

Memoirs

Interest Level:
Grades 10 and up

Similar Books:

Anya’s Ghost

Subjects/Themes:

Iran

Islamic Revolution

Awards/Honors:

For Persepolis 1:

Alex Award Winner 2004

Amelia Bloomer List 2004

Booklist Editors Choice: Adult Books for Young Adults 2003

Capitol Choices 2004

School Library Journal Best Adult Books for High School Students 2003

School Library Journal Best Adult Books for High School Students 2004

School Library Journal Best Books 2003

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2003

For Persepolis 2:

Booklist Editors Choice: Adult Books for Young Adults 2004

Booklist Top Ten Graphic Novels for Youth 2005

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2005

Annotation:

Persepolis is a graphic novel chronicling the true story of a young girl coming of age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. 

Book Talking Ideas:
Persepolis is an inventive coming of age tale told in graphic novel format.  Satrapi's riveting and stark black and white illustrations accentuates the seriousness of the story and transports the reader to another time and place.

Why I chose to include this book:

I chose this book because I believe is gives an inside look at a culture and country that is often misunderstood in America.  Satrapi is a typical Iranian girl with an interest in boys, music, and art, but she faces challenges that normal American teens do not, such as the possibility of being arrested for wearing makeup or for showing too much of her hair of skin in public.