gardenrose's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first graphic novel I've read, and I'm really glad it was my first. Of course, I was more likely to pick up this book because I'm Iraqi, but really how could you not be interested in it? [a:Marjane Satrapi|6238|Marjane Satrapi|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1303646506p2/6238.jpg] wrote [b:The Complete Persepolis|991197|The Complete Persepolis (Persepolis, #1-4)|Marjane Satrapi|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327876995s/991197.jpg|13344769], and I quote, to show everyone that an entire nation shouldn't be judged by the wrongdoings of a few extremist. In the Middle-East, you see news broadcast extremist all the time, labeling everyone extremist as a terrorist. The word Middle-East(ern) has the stigma of terrorism attached to it. People from around the world see what the news broadcasts and immediately judge the whole nation by a minority group. This novel takes you into the life of the author and you see that what the media shows you of Iran is divergent to most of the Iranian people.
I live in America, and I'm also an immigrant. So, I know my own people. However, seeing them through the eyes of America is so.. disparate. The only thing shown is the bad. Which causes viewers too only judge anything related to Iraq, by what they see on TV. Seeing something normal like a family having tea would probably shock an outsider that the people are so civilized.
I digress from Iraq, to now focus to Iran. Everyone sees the extremists, the oppressive government, and overall the opposite of freedom. But, no one sees the people. In Persepolis, Marjane's family was against the changes the Islamic Revolution sought out in Iran and she shows that one side of the population embraced the revolution while the other side opposed it. Are outsiders ever going to know that? Probably not, unless they take the time to read into the revolution in Iran. Not only was there the Islamic Revolution, but of course the Iran-Iraq War. Not many people really know about it and how destructive it was (all wars are destructive though). But while reading, Marjane made a statement to her dad saying 1/3 street was named after a martyr of the war and her dad goes on to say,
That sentence really made me stop reading and think, because I agree with it a lot. Considering the many theories against the governments people come up with.
I could go type more on why people should read this book, but a long review might do the opposite and make readers not want to read the book. So I end my review here, I loved this novel and I suggest it to everyone who is interested in learning about another country, history, war, memoirs, graphic novels, coming of age themes, nonfiction, and more.
I live in America, and I'm also an immigrant. So, I know my own people. However, seeing them through the eyes of America is so.. disparate. The only thing shown is the bad. Which causes viewers too only judge anything related to Iraq, by what they see on TV. Seeing something normal like a family having tea would probably shock an outsider that the people are so civilized.
I digress from Iraq, to now focus to Iran. Everyone sees the extremists, the oppressive government, and overall the opposite of freedom. But, no one sees the people. In Persepolis, Marjane's family was against the changes the Islamic Revolution sought out in Iran and she shows that one side of the population embraced the revolution while the other side opposed it. Are outsiders ever going to know that? Probably not, unless they take the time to read into the revolution in Iran. Not only was there the Islamic Revolution, but of course the Iran-Iraq War. Not many people really know about it and how destructive it was (all wars are destructive though). But while reading, Marjane made a statement to her dad saying 1/3 street was named after a martyr of the war and her dad goes on to say,
This entire war was just a big setup to destroy both the Iranian and Iraqi armies.
That sentence really made me stop reading and think, because I agree with it a lot. Considering the many theories against the governments people come up with.
Spoiler
The novel is a memoir and while I was reading, I noticed how the characters all had strong personalities and Marjane wasn't shy about the violence that occurred, the oppression women faced, the abuse of the government, and overall didn't sugar coat. This is why Persepolis is a great read. It’s eye-opening and humorous and filled with happiness, symbolism and grief. I smiled a lot while reading, but also felt grief at some parts. The comics were simple but had depth. Marjane's family is so accepting and makes an effort to keep their daughter happy. They believe more in logic and are realistic rather than using their parental authority to control her, restrict her or shaping her into something she isn’t. They let her grow and you really see her mature in the novel. The coming of age theme was prominent to the story. Marjane was lost without her parents and din't know how to deal without them. When she went back to them after her empty life in Vienna, she realized she was still empty. And she went through a series of practices to feel full again, until she finally realized that she could find her own way to feel whole and like herself again. That part of the book was also one of my favorite parts because it teaches the reader that with hope you can come though to reach whatever it is you're hoping to obtain. Marjane wanted her life back and she did that after coming back from Vienna and pushing herself out of her pity hole and changing her life style. Also, after she realized her marriage failed and she took charge and divorced because she knew being married to someone she didn't love was hopeless.I could go type more on why people should read this book, but a long review might do the opposite and make readers not want to read the book. So I end my review here, I loved this novel and I suggest it to everyone who is interested in learning about another country, history, war, memoirs, graphic novels, coming of age themes, nonfiction, and more.
mrsdarfoy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
avicastilloestep's review against another edition
5.0
i love the art style so much, storytelling is interesting and appeals to a younger audience. perfect book
neblovescoffee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Very interesting book. At times I found it a bit confusing. I felt like the political side could’ve been explained a bit better.
sallysocker's review against another edition
4.0
“In life you'll meet a lot of jerks. If they hurt you, tell yourself that it's because they're stupid. That will help keep you from reacting to their cruelty. Because there is nothing worse than bitterness and vengeance... Always keep your dignity and be true to yourself.”
It’s interesting to get to read from her perspective, it’s really sad what she has been trough. I also like that this is illustrated, I’ve never read anything like it before.
It’s interesting to get to read from her perspective, it’s really sad what she has been trough. I also like that this is illustrated, I’ve never read anything like it before.
annknee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0