Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

Satrapi Marjane. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. 2003. 153p. ISBN 978-0-375-42230-0. Available in the graphic section of the library.

Marjane is an child and lives in an Iranian upper-income bourgeois family. For years the political climate in Iran has been deteriorating and people have been protesting in the streets. Her parents are politically active, and Marjane discovers that many people in her family have been imprisoned or executed by the Shah and his security service. When the government falls, however, it is replaced by an islamic republic where religion dictates every aspect of public life.

Soon, Marjane and her family’s life changes for the worse. Women must wear veils. Men must keep a beard and lose the necktie. War explodes between Iran and Iraq, and bombs and missiles are exchanged. Through it all, Marjane provides a running commentary on her society and the impact policies have on the people.

Presented as black-and-white comic, Persepolis illustrates one of the most important event of the 20th century that continues to affect American foreign policy to this day. If you enjoyed this book, take a look at The Arab of the Future, which explores similar themes.