Persepolis

Summary

Persepolis is an autobiographical graphic novel that recounts Marjane Satrapi’s childhood and early adulthood during and after the Iranian Revolution. Told in stark black-and-white art, it chronicles her life in Tehran as Islamic fundamentalism reshapes her country, her experiences with repression and exile, and her eventual move to Europe. Satrapi presents both personal anecdotes—family life, friendships, adolescence—and the broader social upheaval that transforms Iran into a theocratic state. The story balances humor, defiance, and tragedy, showing how the political intimately reshapes the personal. Persepolis is not just a coming-of-age tale; it is also a powerful statement about identity, cultural dislocation, and the resilience of women living under authoritarian rule.