Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

Review by Clara Kaul

The Short: A two part autobiographical graphic novel that documents the author’s experience growing up during the Iranian Revolution. Striking artwork coupled with the simultaneously sarcastic and earnest perspective of a teenage girl paints an intimate portrait of a tumultuous period of Iranian history.

The Long: The graphic memoir opens in the 1980s-- a few years after the start of the revolution. Satrapi is 10 and grows up alongside the rapidly changing political terrain of her country. She reflects on her privilege as the daughter of educated and fairly wealthy parents; faces the increasing impacts that war and religious extremism have on women; and is radicalized by protests and a revolutionary uncle. The first part of the memoir documents her adolescent and early teenage years, and her departure to Europe. The second part begins with her experience in Europe and eventual return to Iran.

To Read or Not to Read: Absolutely read! Equal parts informative and personal, you can easily get caught up in the story while learning about Iranian history from an unconventional perspective. There is also an animated movie adaptation!