Persepolis — Exploring a Single perspective
This book has made me appreciate the beauty, depth and complexity of a single perspective. This allowed me to understand how the author was mentally, physically and emotionally affected by growing up during the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
The Book In A Nutshell
The first book I read this year was Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. This is a autobiographic graphic novel that narrates the author’s childhood and early adult years. The setting of this novel is Iran during and after the Islamic revolution and also includes the author’s stay in Austria during her adolescence. Originally the book came out as a two parter, with the first part being published in 2000 and the second in 2004, but my copy has them both combined into one book.
The Journey this Book Took Me on
I have read very few books that are autobiographical. In these books, you are not imagining yourself as the main character but you are watching the main character live their lives. Through Persepolis, the author gave me a first hand view of the effects of living and growing up in a society in flux. Being a graphic novel, this book was able to express the gravity of the situation in the fewest words possible.
I also appreciate the fact that the author did not hide her flaws. Her character in the book has to deal with a number of shitty situations and sometimes she does not deal with the situation in a nice manner. I liked this because this made me realise that Persepolis is the story of a person who trying to live in the circumstances she is dealt with and makes mistakes along the way.
My Top Quote From this Book
When we are afraid, we lose all sense of analysis and reflection. Our Fear paralyses us. Besides, fear has always been the driving force behind all dictators’ repression.
