“Persepolis” is a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, published in 2000. The book is a memoir that tells the story of Satrapi’s childhood and young adulthood in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. The novel is presented in a graphic format, with black-and-white illustrations that reflect Satrapi’s experiences and perspectives.
The book begins with Satrapi’s childhood in Tehran, where she is the only child of politically active and intellectual parents. As the Islamic Revolution gains momentum, Satrapi and her family must navigate a rapidly changing political and social landscape. The book depicts the ways in which the revolution affected everyday life in Iran, from the imposition of new dress codes to the censorship of books and films.
As Satrapi grows older, she becomes increasingly disillusioned with the new regime and the limitations it places on personal freedom. Eventually, her parents send her to Austria to continue her education, and the book explores Satrapi’s struggles to adjust to life in a new culture and to come to terms with her identity as an Iranian in exile.
“Persepolis” has been widely acclaimed for its honest and nuanced portrayal of life in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. The book has won numerous awards, including the Angoulême International Comics Festival Prize for Best First Book and the Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Adult Nonfiction. The novel has also been adapted into an animated film, which was released in 2007.