Persepolis

This is the second graphic novel memoir that I’ve read. The other was George Takei’s They Called Us Enemy.

Some thoughts about Persepolis • A story of something in the historically recent past that I knew very little about • Told from a unique perspective • The graphic novel format is interesting and tells the story at a fast pace • A sad, difficult story with violence discussed • A cautionary tale about fundamentalism • Builds empathy for the people inside countries with oppressive governments who are engagedin war

I started reading Persepolis when there was a discussion about it among our district’s school board. The book had been approved by our literature review committee and gone to a test class. The last step was for the board to give final approval, but some school board members expressed concern about derogatory language toward women. In the end, they approved the book. I’m glad that this book will be part of core curriculum for 11th grade students.

The derogatory language? This happened maybe three times and always from the “bad guys”.

It was ok. There were interesting parts. I like reading about other cultures and how they handle what seems like impossible circumstances. But I can't say I like Marjane as portrayed in the book.

I don't really have anything profound to say, it was just nice and necessary to get a glimpse of a life in some ways very different from my own, and in others, not so much. Made me want to read more biographies, so hit me up with good ones.