"Persepolis" is a graphic novel written by an Iranian-born illustrator who fled Iran after the Islamic Revolution. I usually do not read graphic novels, however, this one caught my interest because of the subject matter. Satrapi relates Iran's violent history of upheaval, revolution, and war through the eyes of a child. In the midst of horror, she and her friends make up games about communist heroes and prison tortures. Raised in a family of staunch Marxists, she reads books about social injustice and inequality among the classes. After fundamentalists take over, their life undergoes a radical change and none of the hoped for justice and freedom come about. A teenager's rebellion takes on a whole new meaning in the city patrolled by Islamic guardians of the revolution. Arguing with a religion teacher about political imprisonment is not viewed as simply teenage insolence. She could actually be imprisoned and executed for voicing the truth.
Underneath all the turmoil, Satrapi reveals a deeply loving relationship with her parents, grandmother, uncles and aunts. Notwithstanding the horror of living in a city plagued by bombing raids, she is sad to leave her home country and especially her loved ones. I think this book is absolutely brilliant and gives a unique view of life in Iran in late 1970s-early 80s.
I also really enjoyed the art in this book. All the illustrations are black and white, and truly a picture is worth a thousand words. Some of the illustrations had a more profound impact on me than any words ever could. In short, I highly recommend this book. It is just over 150 pages and mostly illustrations, so you will fly through it in no time at all.
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