Helen recommends:
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
The story of the writer/illustrator Marjane Satrapi’s childhood in Iran at the time of the Islamic Revolution, Persepolis is a vivid portrait of life under the shadow of political oppression and religious fundamentalism. Simple, bold, black and white illustrations and a sly sense of the absurd lift the story, lending insight and wit to a child’s eye view of a turbulent period of Iran’s history.
The sequel, Persepolis 2, tells the story of Satrapi’s adolescence as an outsider in Europe and her eventual return to Iran. The two books where recently made into an acclaimed animated film, but I find that the originals have had an enduring impact, with more to discover on each re-reading.
