In life you’ll meet a lot of jerks. If they hurt you, tell yourself that it’s because they’re stupid. That will help keep you from reacting to their cruelty. Because there is nothing worse than bitterness and vengeance… Always keep your dignity and be true to yourself.

Title: Persepolis

Author: Marjane Satrapi

Series: Persepolis # 1

Publication: June 1st 2004 by Pantheon

Pages: 153

Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:

Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her 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.

Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran and of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. 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. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, with laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love.

A Listical of Thoughts and Feelings:

• I forgot this was a memoir when I first started reading, and upon that realization, my appreciation for this book increased ten fold.
• I do not like the black and white illustrations, they’re jarring on the eyes. Plus, the print is really tiny.
• Fabulous story. Lot’s of narration for a Graphic Novel. It’s like an interesting hybrid baby
• This book is an amazing history lesson because I knew absolutely nothing about Islamic Revolution in Iran
• Offers an interesting perspective on war through the eyes of an affluent child. What was it like for a family not so well off? Raises lots of questions
• Nothing is glossed over. It’s brutal and honest and actually kind of hard to read.
• Children hear everything, remember that. Sometimes we forget they have ears.
• Let’s turn torture into a game! How about no? Says a lot about her character, though.
• Scene where Marjane finds her friends body after the bombing shook me. As it should.
• This book is astoundingly clever, and it’s only the first half.
• The small details, like her obsession with American pop culture, are shocking in ways I didn’t think possible yet they are unbelievably impactful.
• I kinda like the black and white now, it’s appropriate, but it still hurts my eyes.
• Good story overall. I’m definitely interested in the next part, but I also found it underwhelming? It went from being honest to sort of just talking over the problems.