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The best graphical autobiography, ever!

Persepolis is a story of Marjane Satrapi told in two parts: The Story of a Childhood and The Story of a Return. Although both these books are complete in themselves, I suggest reading them together, as one. Persepolis tells a timeless story of life under Islamic Revolution in Iran, from eyes of an extremely aware girl. The story and its extremely effective and brilliantly done graphic representation takes us through various incidents in the life of Satrapi starting at age nine. Satrapi combines pictures and words to describe her life among radical parents, orthodox society, and conformist friends. The book has many humorous moments well blended with the grim subject. The political commentary is superbly woven with the daily events of a young girl’s life.

The first book ends with Satrapi leaving her country to go to Austria in search of a safe and independent future. The second book begins here. It tells an uncomplicated story of complexities of a life of a Third World person in Europe. Caught in the political turmoil, Satrapi learns harsh realities of life by living them. After a certain incident, Satrapi picks the life of restriction in Iran over lonely struggle in Austria. Back home, Satrapi fights to get back to the supposed normal life. The book again discusses dark events of the girl’s life, but in a simple and communicative manner.

This very well told compelling story, which is enhanced by simple but expressive black and white graphics, can get you started on both graphic novels and autobiographies. I urge you to give it a shot.