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Cover of Persepolis 1 & 2 by Marjane Satrapi

Persepolis 1 & 2

  • 160 pages · about 3 hours
  • First published 2003
  • 10 editions

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1 About this book

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.

Good for readers who want: a graphic novel, a true life story, and a short read.

  • Comics & graphic novels, biography & memoir
  • Girls, biography
  • Authors, biography
  • Comics & graphic novels
  • Women, biography
  • Biography
  • Comic books, strips
  • World literature

2 About Marjane Satrapi

1969–2026

Marjane Satrapi (French:; Persian: مرجان ساتراپی; 21 September 1969 – 3 June 2026) was an Iranian-French comic book author, film director, and children's book author. Her best-known works include the graphic novel Persepolis and its film adaptation; the graphic novel Chicken with Plums; Woman, Life, Freedom; and the Marie Curie biopic Radioactive.

Bio adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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