Persepolis
by Marjane Satrapi
Sartrapi, M. (2004). Persepolis. NY: Pantheon.
This memoir, told in graphic novel format, is Marjane
Sartrapi’s story of growing up in revolutionary Iran during the late 1970's and
early 1980's. Although the subject matter
of war can be quite intense, the simplistic black and white art work and almost
childlike innocence reflected in the voice make the story completely manageable
and relatable to teens. Satrapi is torn
between all the different information she hears from her school, her parents,
the news; she doesn’t know what to believe.
Her parents are revolutionaries, and participate in demonstrations to
show their contempt for what is happening in their country. Satrapi as a child also begins to rebel in
her own way. She questions why she has
to wear a veil, speaks her mind in school, wears clothes and reads books that
are considered inappropriate and listens to Iron Maiden. But we also get a sense of the fear that
comes along with rebellion. Satrapi and
her family must live with the constant fear of imprisonment and death, watch
her classmates attend their fathers’ funerals and witness people flee to
Sweden, England and the U.S. Eventually,
even Marjane’s parents make the decision to send her away to France. This coming of age novel is extremely powerful
and would be a great choice for teaching the effects of war on children and
families.
Interview with Marjane Satrapi
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