Being a big fan of both comic books and graphic novels, I decided to read Persepolis and Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi. Both books are available in the Popular Reading Collection. I knew going in that these books were highly regarded by fans of graphic novels. I also wanted to read them before the Persepolis movie was released on DVD in June.
Persepolis is an autobiography set in Iran during the Iran/Iraq War of the 1980s. Marji is a rebellious child who struggles under the repressive Islamic government before leaving Iran to spend her high school years in Europe. Persepolis 2 continues the story, which includes her return to Iran for college. Personally, I preferred the first one, as I found it easier to view Marji as a young child suffering under a cruel regime, as opposed to a spoiled, self-absorbed teenager living in Vienna. The art is black and white and very straightforward. I appreciated this approach, as the art did not take away from the story itself. I heartily recommend both titles, even for those readers who dislike “comic books.”
Curt Hanson, Department of Special Collections
Kristen's note: Sandi's comment has a link to a news story, "Persepolis Creator won't return to Iran. Click here to jump to that article.
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2 comments:
I've only read the first Persepolis and thought it was provided a great look into a country and upbringing we as Americans see differently. Marjane Satrapi was interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning. Here's a link to the interview. She is a reluctant celebrity. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/28/entertainment/main3653536.shtml?source=search_story
I too have read the Complete Persepolis and own the DVD. What Satrapi has done for the graphic novel genre is interesting and important to both the art medium and the literary medium. She, much like Art Spiegelman did with Maus, explains with imagery a narrative that cannot necessarily be explained with simply words. In addition, she explains and portrays an Iran that is not necessarily portrayed in American media. I completely recommend reading the novel and watching the film which is created in black and white.
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