Book Review: Persepolis

The graphic novel Persepolis was one of the most interesting foreign novels I have ever read. Not only did this novel, written by Marjane Satrapi, give a person in-depth look at the build up and happening of the Islamic revolution, but it did so with by looking through an child's eyes, which looks at the little details in their small part of the world rather than the whole big picture. By focusing on what was happening to herself, friends and family. By doing this she didn't polarize her writing on just the good outcomes or even the bad outcomes of the revolution, but focused on both; although most of the events she went through were mostly horrible to the point where she had to leave, some good things happened such as the fall of the Shah. By painting the reader a picture of what life was like in a child's house and neighborhood, Satrapi was able to feed complex and vital information about the Islamic revolution in a simple and readable format. Overall Satrapi created a marvelously creative novel.

If I was in the speaker's shoes during the time that the Islamic Revolution took place. I probably would have been on the first flight out of the country, and definitely would not have be as brave as he was to stick around that long. To be betrayed by his own country must have felt, and must still feel horrible and disgusting. I also probably would have been protesting against the newly placed Islamic regime much like the Iranians are during the elections today. The speaker was a very brave man by staying in Iran during the revolution, especially since he had been educated in a despised America.The speaker has my respect.