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Persepolis


Summary: 
Persepolis is a history of Iran and the Islamic Revolution told through the eyes of Marji, a ten year old girl. It is an autobiographical graphic novel that begins in 1980, when Marji begins to feel the effects of the new regime in Iran. Marji is astute and becomes increasingly aware of the world around her and becomes rebellious. Scared for her safety, her parents send her to school in France when Marji becomes more outraged and fearless in her opposition to the fundamentalist regime.

Strengths: 
The choice to tell this story through graphic novel is one of its strengths. It apologetically portrays the events of the Iranian Revolution, the horrors of war and the effect of the Islamic Revolution on the citizens of Iran, particularly women. The main theme of the book is Marji's willingness to fight for what she believes in, even when it becomes extremely dangerous for her to do so. The portrayal of Iranian culture is also a strength of this book, as there are very few books that do so.

Other books about Iran: 

 Reading Lolita in Tehran
The Complete Persepolis

 Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis. New York, NY: Pantheon Books. 


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