One of the best graphic novels I've ever read. Persepolis is a wry, witty, and though-provoking memoir from Marjane Satrapi, covering the period of her life in Iran between the ages of six and fourteen. During that period she and her politically radical but affluent parents witnessed the fall of the Shah and the return of fundamental Islam.

She tells her story in black and white comic strip form, but each short section carries a message. Sometimes it's the oddities of life as perceived by a six-year old: talking about the books her parents bought her ... "It was funny to see how much God and Marx looked like each other, though Marx's hair was a bit curlier": then later when her friend Neda's house had been bombed by an Iraqi missile ... "I saw a turqoise bracelet. It was Neda's. .. The bracelet was still attached to .. I don't know what.. No scream in the world could have relieved my suffering and anger."

A quick read, hugely enjoyable despite the dark topics in some places, and a brilliant use of the graphic novel format.

Starting a ring for this book. It's a quick read and will probably go round quite swiftly so if you'd like to be added just PM me. Running order so far.

YowlYY
Molyneux
Mastulela
Kleptokitty
Chelseagirl
Beebarf
Kangaroo
Kangaroo's DBF
Weebly
AliceF
You?
And finally back to me.

I cannot believe I have in my hands this very famous book! One of my favourite BCers from Cagliari chose the front cover illustration for her avatar in the Italian BC forum, and this was how I first heard of the book ...
I will read and pass it on very soon. Thanks Netstation for launching this ring!

This book reads like a comic, but there is a great depth to it. Firstly, I find amazing how the medium (b&w cartoon) is so great for reproducing both sad and funny scenes. The rhythm of narration, a moment in the live of a young girl growing in Iran in the 80', lasts mostly for 2 pages, and when you turn the sheet here's another moment...a few days or months or a year later.

Although the drawings are very simple, they are able to express emotions very well, and it is not surprising to find oneself moved by the events, be laughing at the silly behaviour of teenager, or sheding a tear at yet another loss in the lives of the protagonists.

This biography has surely made me hungry for more, and I've just ordered the follow-up, "Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return", that I will offer as a bookring to those who are interested. I've discovered that in France, where Marjane now lives, they've already published two more volumes (Persepolis 3 and 4) and I look forward to reading them too (or maybe if I am really so impatient I can buy them in French!).

The book is now packed and will be heading to Molyneux soon. Thanks again to Netstation for allowing to make the acquaintance with such a talented and strong young artist!

This arrived today from Gabriella - thank you! I'm looking forward to reading this - I had a number of Iranian friends some years ago (before the revolution) so this book is of particular interest to me!

This book is amazing. What a brilliant use of graphics - making this poignant story available to a very wide audience. I am not normally a fan of the graphic novel - but this is different, it is so unlike the comic strip books my son favours. The author gets her message across so clearly - and her message is haunting. What dreadful lessons she was forced learn so early in life.

I am going to get a copy of this for my Permanent Collection!

Thank you Netstation for making this book available - I doubt if I would have stumbled across it otherwise!

Arrived safely today. I am really looking forward to reading/looking at it.

Complex political ideas and events as seen from a child's point of view are distilled into telling scenarios using a few carefully chosen words and simple bold drawings. This is a most effective and moving book.

Thank-you Netstation. Where to next?

Postal release to Kleptokitty.

Arrived safe & sound this morning & I'm looking forward to getting a look at it this weekend. Thankyou!

An astonishing read. Completely compulsive, I've just read it cover to cover despite having promised myself only a taster this evening.

Will pass it on to Chelseagirl tomorrow.

KleptoKitty gave me this on Thursday, but I've only just got round to journalling it now. I read the first few pages whilst waiting in the car but haven't had a chance since. I'm about to start studying Iranian film within a social political context, so this will be really helpful.

Just read this through in one sitting. I'm not a fan of graphic novels by any means, but Marja's story really captivated me. From moments of humour (the disposal of the alcohol and the Michael Jackson badge) to the horror of war, this is an amazing story of one girl's life through change in Iran and a people's struggle to survive despite the impositions on their lives.

I've learnt a lot about the recent history of Iran today, and I'm much more aware of the rebellion amongst everyday people. I'm studying Iranian film at university and this book has helped me get a grounding in events there - I'm going to look out for a copy to add to my PC. And YowlYY, I'd love to read the second volume if you do ring it!

Thanks for organising this ring, Netstation - yet another book that I would never have encountered were it not for BookCrossing!

I'll be sending this on to Beebarf as soon as I have an address.

This was waiting for me when I arrived home very late and very tired from a business trip - which made it a little easier to resist the temptation to dive straight in!

Many thanks netstation and chelseagirl!

I don't normally like graphic novels, but I'd read a lot more if more were as good as this!

Stark, simple, brutal, charming, honest, life affirming, complex, political, human...

...wonderful!

Thanks so much for letting this come on a ring! My DBF (UrbanHermit) has expressed an interest in reading it, I'll make sure he does it before Christmas so I can pass it on promptly.

Apologies for delaying 'the ring', but I was told I 'had to read' this. It's a well enough done 'auto-biographical story' of a girl who survives bad times mostly by (dumb) luck. Not the greatest graphic novel ever done, but is one that crosses over out of the usual audience base to seep into the collections of people who generally don't 'get' books with 'pictures and word-balloons'. Maybe if I liked kids it might have meant more to me? I doubt it.

I get this back in order to post it out ... will be mailed on Saturday, God willing and the creek don't rise :o)

Released on Saturday, January 08, 2005 at about 2:00:00 AM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Postal Release in Controlled release, England United Kingdom.

RELEASE NOTES:

Off to a fellow BCUK'er! Enjoy!

I just caught the postman trying to shove this through the letterbox.
Luckily it's none the worse for wear. Looking forward to reading it - thanks Steve for sharing, and Nic for posting it to me!

Bringing this along for weebly - just a few years late ;)

Worth the wait I'm sure. You really made me smile when I saw this book. Thank you. I wonder if AliceF still wants to read it too!

Stole this from Weebly during the Uncon2016 in Birmingham, an interesting read, very different to most types and styles of book I read. Everyone should read this to get a better idea of what it could be like living in a different country without the many freedoms we enjoy in England.

Back on my shelf waiting for me to read it.