Title: Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

Author: Marjane Satrapi

Publisher: Pantheon 2003

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 154

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

How I Got It: Library loan

Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the 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. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.

This is a beautifully constructed autobiography of life in a tumultuous time period. I must admit that Iran's history is not one of my strong points. However, Satrapi weaves her story in such a way that I understand all the sides of the conflict. Even through black and white drawings, I feel the pain and confusion Satrapi felt through her childhood. I sped through this volume wanting to find out what happened to her. We end with a cliffhanger, but thankfully there's a second volume.