In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells thecoming-of-age story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. Theintelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and thegreat-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bearswitness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of hercountry. Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran and ofthe bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. Marjane’s child’s-eye view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctionedwhippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she doesthe history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinaryfamily. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a reminder of the humancost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, withlaughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, itintroduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love.
