This is a new and wonderfully brilliant insight into what it is like to grow up as a girl in a violent, strict fundamentally Islamic ruled, war torn Iran. As a graphic novel, it lets the reader explore Marjane's creative, beautiful, yet brutal and honest life in 1980s Iran through touching and clever art and dialog. She struggles with what all youngsters do even in the hardest of times, such as relationships with her friends, parents and God. The artwork drives home her emotion and it almost feels like watching home movies while reading the diary of an honest young girl. I know that the movie that is out, but I'm honestly afraid to view it recalling how sometimes beloved books of mine are never brought justice on film. But it is using her illustrations and dialog so it seems to stand a chance, and hopefully drive home the message that holds on tightly to you throughout the book. I urge anyone interested in this work to read the graphic novel first to really connect with Satrapi on his or her own terms and turf. Excellent excellent excellent!!Read full review
The author was born in 1969 in Iran and was 10 when the revolution took place. Her family was liberal and very modern, although not supporters of the Shah. Some of her family members were Communists, dedicated to advancing the plight of the poor. Lost in the history of what has happened in Iran since 1979 is that when the Shah fell from power, there was a dynamic and western oriented middle and business class. The university system provided a very high quality education to the students. Having been born and raised in the western oriented family, Satrapi was an independent-minded girl that found it difficult to tamp her desires down to appease the new revolutionary rulers. Women were being forced to wear very restrictive clothing and anything in the area of western pop culture was suppressed if not illegal. The war with Iraq gave the new religious rulers the excuse they needed to tighten restrictions and engage in public executions. The irony of the change is mentioned, where the Shah’s police arrested and jailed, the new rulers simply killed dissidents. Told from the perspective of a child and in the form of a graphic novel, this book is a history lesson on the nation of Iran. One important point is that even though the religious leaders were and continue to be able to enforce a restrictive theocracy, there is still an undercurrent of western modernity in Iran. That is a point that must be kept in mind when dealing with what is a very ancient nation. Read full review
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This is an autobiographical book, written through the perspective of a 10-year-old girl who lived through the Iranian revolution. She tells the story through black and white pictures. It is very compelling. Would highly recommend it to anyone to read.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Love it thank you
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
delivered prfectly (recommend book, bought for 12 yr old granddaughter interested in graphics, read it first and passed it on)
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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