Persepolis is an interesting novel in itself, more like an interesting concept in itself. Take one part coming of age story, one part graphic novel, one part 1984/Stalinist/Maoist regime and toss it in a blender. Results are in, drum roll please, and the blend equals this novel. Could this tale be told without the use of comic book panels and word bubbles, of course. Now would this make it a better story. NO! There are too many books that go into someone's life that have been written without the use of visual aids. Bring on the graphic novel, it makes it easier to read and frankly more fun. We get to see it and read it and not just have our over stimulated brains attempt to fill it with pictures of kittens with guns. (Don’t ask) So the visuals help make or break the story and in this case, delicious thought of beer are overridden with Iranian officials acting as if they belonged in Orwell’s novel 1984.
Her age does affect the story a bit. If this was a 21 year old rehashing events in their life through a graphic novel there would be death lots of explosion and tons of gore, all to distract you away from the story which from an older perspective might seem tired and boring. But told from a pre-teen point of view readers get to see what she wants us to see and how she reacts to everything that is changing in her life. In other words readers get to see her grow
As for Marji being the main character yes. Is this a memoir? Yes most likely, just in a different form then most of us are used to. But I think the story is more about what is happening in Iran then about her life. In some parts it seems a little “Anne Frank-ish.” But the narrator’s life at times is overshadowed by what is going on with the country, or maybe there so intermixed like a good long island that you can’t tell the difference between the story and the flavors of booze. (Thanks goodness ‘cause whoever came up with the taste of gin should be hung from their thumbs and roasted alive).
As for changes in the novel Marji matures, she becomes rebellious to her parents and to the oppressive government. She becomes older, duh, but she also gains a sense of what is going on in the country and how’s it’s having an impact on the rest of the world. Overall it’s a fun read that kept me sober for the most of the time.
Song/video for the day Captain Dan-7 seas
(It's pirate rap!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCO2kBjsuFc
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