In Persepolis; heralded by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the freshest and most original memoirs of our day;†Marjane Satrapi dazzled us with her heartrending memoir-in-comic-strips about growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Here is the continuation of her fascinating story. In 1984; Marjane flees fundamentalism and the war with Iraq to begin a new life in Vienna. Once there; she faces the trials of adolescence far from her friends and family; and while she soon carves out a place for herself among a group of fellow outsiders; she continues to struggle for a sense of belonging.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.As funny and poignant as its predecessor; Persepolis 2 is another clear-eyed and searing condemnation of the human cost of fundamentalism. In its depiction of the struggles of growing up—here compounded by Marjane’s status as an outsider both abroad and at home—it is raw; honest; and incredibly illuminating.
#31848 in Books 1999-04-27 1999-04-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .70 x 5.10l; .81 #File Name: 0375702628368 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Rarely Is a History Lesson so GrippingBy Paul BulgerI had to read this book for one of my history classes; and it honestly might have been my favorite aspect of the entire class. Jill Lepore has crafted a riveting fact based narrative that contemplates the nature of violence and domination in a clear eyed; unbiased light that simply presents the information; and allows you to come to your own conclusion; and it's executed brilliantly.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. American History you weren't taught in schoolBy David A.This book was recommended by Rita Nakashima Brock; who promised it would reveal some of the underpinnings of our country's war like nature. She runs the Soul Repair organization. It treats veterans who have done things in war that makes them guilty. In a gentle manne she offers programing that eases the pain of moral injury.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Mix of sociology and history.By Jeremy MatternThis book was recommended to me by a professor. It was not required for my class on colonial America because it was considered to be too "dense" for those just passing by for a few humanities credits while they pursue engineering degrees. However; it was recommended to me for two reasons; first: it is an excellent book on how King Philip's War started. More specifically why war was the solution facing the complex society that made up the "New World"; and how Colonists used that war in their own national creation myth. Also; this book is exceptionally well written! My professor was passionate about writing and taught his students to be good writers not just good researchers.About the book itself....This is not a chronological history of the war; it merely uses the war as a setting for its larger intent. From the Mayflower to the inauguration of George Washington the history of the birth of America involves almost constant warfare. The imperial anvil hit hard in the forging of America. This book is for someone who wants to look at that process as a whole; not just the singular events of a few battles.
