Persepolis

[SilveryCord]

The Complete Persepolis is an autobiographical graphic novel from Marjane Satrapi. It's been adapted into a film, and was pretty seminal in making the idea of graphic novels that were really strong nonfiction literature more mainstream. (Just look around your bookstore: Sure, Marvel, DC, and TokyoPop still take up 90% of the shelfspace in the graphic novel section, but Persepolis definitely led the way for books like Footnotes in Gaza.)

I read the book when it came out, and watched the movie when it was on DVD, and just now I've been assigned to read the book for summer reading, funny enough. What are your thoughts on Persepolis?

[Lord Seth]

Originally Posted by SilveryCord

The Complete Persepolis is an autobiographical graphic novel from Marjane Satrapi. It's been adapted into a film, and was pretty seminal in making the idea of graphic novels that were really strong nonfiction literature more mainstream.

I thought it was Maus that did that last bit?

[Knaight]

Maus was part of it, Persepolis was another. Both were major.

[industrious]

Amazing graphic novel AND animated film. I loved it.

However...I'm concerned about the no politics rules on the forum. Persepolis is...hard to talk about without certain issues coming up.

[JonestheSpy]

I think it's safe to talk about Persepolis as an extraordinary work of art - that's beyond dispute no matter what one's politics. I've only read the first volume of the graphic novel and only seen clips of the film, I'm looking forward to seeing everything.

Satrapi is like Art Spiegelman in that she uses very simple - though not simplistic - black and white drawings to very great effect.

[Killer Angel]

Originally Posted by JonestheSpy

I think it's safe to talk about Persepolis as an extraordinary work of art - that's beyond dispute no matter what one's politics. I've only read the first volume of the graphic novel and only seen clips of the film, I'm looking forward to seeing everything.

Satrapi is like Art Spiegelman in that she uses very simple - though not simplistic - black and white drawings to very great effect.

I've (personally speaking) found the second volume, less amazing than the first one.
Nonetheless, they're both great. Persepolis it's a masterpiece, probably not at the level of Maus, but very close in depicting a great historical picture. It's art.

Now, given that we can't talk 'bout the novel's argument, we could talk 'bout the style.
Persepolis is on the same line with Maus: they both use a biographical point of view, to narrate historical facts... they render history a personal fact, and they give us a subjective reading: the facts are presented with the feelings of the observer, there's no thing such an "objective" PoV.

I'm pretty sure there are, but I don't remember examples of "historical" comics that use a different stylistic approach... any idea?

[Kaiyanwang]

Originally Posted by Killer Angel

I've (personally speaking) found the second volume, less amazing than the first one.
Nonetheless, they're both great. Persepolis it's a masterpiece, probably not at the level of Maus, but very close in depicting a great historical picture. It's art.

Now, given that we can't talk 'bout the novel's argument, we could talk 'bout the style.
Persepolis is on the same line with Maus: they both use a biographical point of view, to narrate historical facts... they render history a personal fact, and they give us a subjective reading: the facts are presented with the feelings of the observer, there's no thing such an "objective" PoV.

Great analysis KA. I second all things you said (included the comparison with Maus).

[Killer Angel]

Originally Posted by Kaiyanwang

Great analysis KA. I second all things you said (included the comparison with Maus).

Tnks. I'm seriously considering to put your appreciation in my sig.

[Kaiyanwang]

Originally Posted by Killer Angel

Tnks. I'm seriously considering to put your appreciation in my sig.

Kaiyanwang agreeing with someone.. definitively sig-worthy!

[SilveryCord]

Originally Posted by industrious

Amazing graphic novel AND animated film. I loved it.

However...I'm concerned about the no politics rules on the forum. Persepolis is...hard to talk about without certain issues coming up.

I don't think it's an intrinsically political work; the situations Marjane faces apply to a lot of different things.

I won't lie, many parts of the book made me cry. Especially Marjane saying goodbye for the very last time.