Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Vol. 1: The Story of a Childhood
Her autobiographical graphic novel shows us Marjane's life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah's regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran's last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.

We see this unique view of daily life in Iran: of the contradictions between home life and public life and of the enormous toll repressive regimes exact on the individual spirit. Marjane's child's-eye-view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. At the end of this volume she is sent to Austria to get a more balanced education.

Vol. 2 - Story of the Return
Four years later we see how she has tried to change herself to not stand out as someone different. Finding that she misses her home more than she can stand, Marjane returns to Iran after graduation. Her difficult homecoming forces her to confront the changes both she and her country have undergone in her absence and her shame at what she perceives as her failure in Austria. Marjane allows her past to weigh heavily on her until she finds some like-minded friends, falls in love, and begins studying art at a university. However, the repression and state-sanctioned chauvinism eventually lead her to question whether she can have a future in Iran. Interestly enough in Austria she tried very hard to fit in and in Iran where is forced to fit in she has to discover how to keep her unique perspective.

These two volumes were facinating and I wish there is another volume to bring us uptodate on what her life is like now. Read it!