Persepolis
During my teens I was a heavy comic-reader. I would lock myself up in the room for hours and hours finishing volumes of manga (Japanese comic books) which I would rent from a little comic store a block down my street. Many years later as I’ve moved out from home, access to comic books becomes rarer – and I only like the ones specifically translated into Mandarin; not English, not Malay, and too bad I can’t read Japanese.
My friend Yammie recently graciously gave away some of her book collections and I picked this one out – and boy it was a mind-boggling experience, especially when you read it continuously non-stop. I saw flashes of my childhood and moments of intricate relationships built with my parents and grandparents whom I dearly missed.
I wish I could write an intellectual piece of review on this eye-opening graphic novel but my best advice is to just read it.
Marjane Satrapi’s childhood accounts remind me of the charged-up teenagehood I too once had, not so much for politics, but life in general – and her illustrations on the sense of guilt and responsibility adolescents go through rang a bell too. Can’t wait to watch the film.
Being a Baha’i where the origin of the Faith is in Persia, reading this book also gave an insight into the day-to-day lives of the Iranians back in the 80s and 90s and exposes the sentiments of those from that generation. Growing up in Malaysia where majority of the population also leads a life constantly challenged by the authority, questioning one’s faith and obedience, I find myself relating to the author in more ways than I should.
Filed under: eye-opener | 2 Comments
I just happened by your blog from bahaiviews. I had a similar experience reading that book, in one sitting, it was rivetting. My parents left Iran before the revolution and went pioneering to Africa, where i grew up, totally oblivious to what was happening in Iran, and what i would probably have experienced, had it not been for their choice to leave. I can also relate so much to the cultural differences, the East meets West syndrome…. Can’t wait to watch the film too!
Hi Martha, thanks for sharing – Although I’m not Iranian but in many ways I could relate to the story, especially having so many close friends from Persian background. Hope you enjoy the film!