Originally published in two volumes, this memoir written in
graphic format, chronicles Marjane Satrapi’s life as a child in Tehran, Iran
during and after the Islamic revolution of 1979. After the revolution, things changed dramatically
for 10 year old Marjane. Her school
changed from a liberal co-ed school to an Islamic school that is segregated
between girls and boys, and where the girls have to wear veils. The first half of the book focuses on how
Marjane and her family deal with the enormous changes in Iranian society as a
result of the revolution. In the second part of the book, teenage
Marjane is sent to school in Europe and deals with the loneliness and isolation
of being the one who is different from everyone else at her new school and in
her new country.
This powerful story is written in an easy-to-follow comic
strip format. The simple line drawings
add emotion and humor to an already poignant tale. There is a lot of history contained within
this memoir that will appeal to anyone interested in alternate viewpoints on
the past and present situations in the Middle East. Additionally, this is a coming of age story
with universal themes of rebellion and the trials and joys of moving into
adulthood.
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