Review: Persepolis: A Story of Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

Satrapi, Marjane. (2003). Persepolis: A Story of Childhood. New York: Pantheon Books. 160 pages. ISBN 9780375714573.

 

Awards/Selection Lists:

 - ALA Alex Award

 - YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
 - Booklist Editor's Choice for Young Adults
 - New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
 - School Library Journal Adult Books for Young Adults

 

Author's Website (Agent): http://barclayagency.com/satrapi.html

Brief Summary: A memoir of the author's childhood, beginning at 10 years old, in the year 1979, the beginning of the Islamic Revolution in her home country of Iran and spanning the Shah's removal, and the war with Iraq, this black and white graphic novel presents a very approachable account of a very troubled and gruesome time. Luckily, for the outspoken and independent Satrapi, her parents were progressive and encouraged her free thinking, going so far as to send to her Vienna at the age of 14 to help her escape the oppression in her home country, in order to give her a better life. This novel explores her inner thoughts, her outer influences, dangers and traumas, as well as the effect and reactions of her loved ones.

 

Personal Reaction: I was really surprised in that I loved this book. I had been drawn to it in the past because it is a graphic novel, but passed it up upon learning it was a non-fiction account of a childhood in turbulent and violent Iran during the 1980's. I can recall hearing some terrible things about this time and this country, and the atrocities against girls and women during my childhood. Satrapi does tell of these atrocities, to inform the reader and be true to her own story, but she does it from the perspective of a 10-14 year old girl, and somehow, while it can be hard to understand, it is not presented in a way that would turn off or traumatize the reader. It's done in an honest but understanding manner and I think that, through the telling of her own thoughts and mental state, her attempts at pushing the boundaries, her parents' difficulties and in their successes and support, it becomes encouraging and an eye opening look at how one girl can make a difference. This girl, the author, now a grown woman, is making her difference by telling her story, and hopefully, opening the world's eyes to what goes on behind closed borders and showing that with perseverance and love, life goes on.

Front/Back Matter: Title page, Copyright Page, Introduction, Chronological author account, Credits.

 

Content Evaluation: Overall, I would say this is a superbly written book. It is emotional without being assumptive, and truth without necessarily pointing a finger. She never comes out and condemns one ideology or the other. She simply shows the consequences, how people felt, their reactions, and (now) well documented crimes that are committed when powerful people think no one is watching. I kept waiting for blame to be issued, but throughout the entire novel, while I understood where the author's parents' loyalties lay, she never once came out and said one person was wrong over the other, and that is beyond commendable. She let their actions speak louder than blame ever could.