Persepolis

Where Palestine (in my opinion) was lacking, Persepolis on the other hand was successful. Satrapi creates a very intimate retelling of her life in such a way that she appears not to have an agenda even though at times she is critical of the country she lives in. Much of how she presents information is done in a way that the personal aspects specifically the negative light she at times sheds on herself allows for the commentary she has on both the people around her and her government. Much of the negative critique is done as a response to how it directly influences her family, friends and herself so that the reader accepts the information that is presented. Beyond this however, Satrapi does a good job with the visual format. Although it is not drawn realistic and is done in black and white (which is something that I more often dislike then like) the style seems to match the content. The ‘cartoony’ drawings allow Satrapi to retell, at times, disturbing content without overwhelming the reader. The tortures aren’t graphic to the point of horrifying, the God detail is believable, and the unrealistic panels become acceptable. At the same time this quality amplifies thematic elements within the story such as the consistent use of the endless stairs, the self beating on 95, and the historical recount done by her father. All in all the visual and contextual content of Persepolis create a very believable autobiographical story as well as being an enjoyable read.