Childhood and War - a Review of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis

Persepolis is an autobiographical visual novel created by Marjane Satrapi. It is a bildungsroman story describing the author’s childhood in 1980s Iran. Surrounded by war and revolution, the story follows Marjane from being child of rich, westernized parents to her leaving of Iran for school in Vienna after constant bombings of her hometown.

The art in the visual novel has been drawn by the author herself. It is drawn in very simple, almost childish way. This helps to make the story more convincing – as it is presented from child’s perspective. Thanks to this, the images of war are even more moving – as they look like drawn by a child, allowing the reader to imagine how it must have looked from the perspective of a child for whom these images was an everyday reality.

The story is presented well for people outside the Irani culture – in the introduction Satrapi explains the historical events that lead to the situation in the country presented in the comic. The main character also breaks sometimes the fourth wall to explain certain notions better – however it is done smoothly enough, that the reader does not feel bothered by the exposition. After reading the novel one’s knowledge on the culture is well-expanded and it makes it easier to understand characters’ actions an motivations.

The journey of the girl is an interesting read, especially for everybody keen on getting to know different cultures. The minimalistic, black and white drawings do not disrupt the narrative – they rather enhance it and draw the reader in, thanks to their simplicity. The cultural background, which may be unknown for people outside the region is well presented and explained, not confusing the audience. All in all, Persepolis is an interesting visual novel, well written and well presented, a window to another world everybody should try looking into.

Thanks for sticking around!

Nat