When I read a memoir like this, I feel a sense of gratitude towards the author. It's easy enough to share your triumphs. It's not even that difficult to share your foibles. But to actually share your mistakes, the things that made you feel shame, that is an act of courage. Even to admit to such things to an individual is hard. How much more difficult to tell the world?

I not only have a greater insight into Iranian culture in the early 90s but feel more connected with my own humanity. ( )

I really enjoyed both of these books and found myself much more invested in the character and story than I ever would have thought I could be in a graphic novel. ( )

Storia di un ritorno riprende a raccontare della vita di Marjane Satrapi proprio dove Storia di un'infanzia si era interrotto. Vediamo quindi Marjane alle prese con la sua (complicata) vita fuori dell'Iran.

Se Storia di un'infanzia è stata una storia di resistenza e silente ribellione al regime integralista, Storia di un ritorno è la storia di molte perdite, che Marjane non si aspettava di dover affrontare nella laica e liberale Europa. A volte le aspettative son proprio delle grandi stronze...

Così, insieme alla superficialità e alla saccenteria, all'integralismo religioso fuori dall'Iran e alla vita da esule, passerà anche attraverso esperienze comuni a molte adolescenti: sesso, droga, amore, amicizie più o meno strampalate e cambiamenti fisici che sembrano non volgere al meglio (le strisce che ne parlano m'hanno fatto morire dal ridere!).

Mi è piaciuto tantissimo lo stile della Satrapi, sempre divertente e pungente nei confronti di ciò che non reputa giusto (la reazione alle offese della suora... impagabile!). Sono molto contenta che Emma Watson abbia scelto Persepolis per la lettura collettiva di giugno di Our Shared Shelf, facendomi finalmente decidere a leggerlo. Quest'anno si sta rivelando pieno di scoperte interessanti sul fronte graphic novel e saggi: bene, bene, bene! ( )

Satrapi's strength is the ability to write a book that is about her life that is meaningful in the context of the historic events occurring in Iran during her lifetime, but also about her inner narrative. There's a contrast between the parts that are nearly unimaginable for the average American -- a co-worker who is beaten by the police for a misinterpreted cartoon, worrying about holding hands, two men beaten for driving in a car together, inability to show one's hair and so forth -- and the feelings that are universal: the desire for belonging, fear of isolation and a spectrum of normal teenage emotions.

I found the parts set in Vienna less interesting -- I think the compelling nature of the narrative derives in part from Sartapi's self-insight either at the time or in retrospect, and while in Vienna it mostly feels like she wasn't herself. There's a detachment and a lack of emotionality that drives the parts of the narrative set in Iran. Additionally, the strongest parts of the book were when Sartapi had conflict between her mother, father and grandmother -- these relatives are so close to her and so fundamental to her being that the conflicts had a clear tension. Without these supporting characters in the narrative the stakes seemed much lower.

Satrapi's black and white illustrations are stark and sometimes simplistic, which I think allows the underlying narrative to shine through, although I frequently had trouble distinguishing between characters, especially men. ( )

Satrapi's purpose for writing Persepolis was to show that life in Iran is much more complex than the view from the west of a country of religious fanatics and oppressed women. Marji is sent to Austria for school in the first part of the book, causing her to experience the alienation of the expatriate and then the reverse culture shock of trying to make sense of her own country when she returns.

This memoir is a warts-and-all tribute to the people of Iran - there are many extremists, but there are also many people who are trying to lead thoughtful, ethical lives, even under an oppressive theocracy. Satrapi depicts herself as at times being shockingly selfish and callous -as when she has a man arrested to distract the Guardians of the Revolution from her own moral code violation. Her view of the events in Iran can often be myopic, and she marries and divorces her husband without a thought to the sacrifices he has made.

Ultimately, Marji leaves Iran again for France. Does she abandon her country for her personal benefit? How moral is this choice? ( )