Publisher/Format: Pantheon (2004), Paperback, 160 pages; graphic format
Characters: Marjane and her parents
Subject: life in revolutionary Iran
Setting: Iran 1970s amd 1980s
Series: 1st of two volumes
Genre: Memoir; autobiography
Source: Public library
Using the graphic (or as some would call it "comic book" format) Marjane Satrapi is able to give us a very detailed depiction of her life in Iran during the Islamic revolution of the late 1970's. She manages a brief history of the country, an explanation of the government(s) and provides us telling details of what life was like for an impressionable and well-educated young woman before and after "the veil." The only child of well educated parents, who strongly believed in the future of Iran as a democracy (not a theocracy) she is exposed to an adult perspective at an earlier age than many of her classmates, but still manages to let us know that this is a young, frightened girl who is struggling to comprehend the many changes taking place in her country.
The graphic format works well to convey the sometimes brutal reality of her world and her writing presents the reader with a very personal and enlightening glimpse into an often under-understood piece of history.
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I have wanted to read Persepolis for a long time. I enjoyed reading your review. Love the quote about whistling.
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