Persepolis

I have never read a real graphic novel before so, reading ‘Persepolis’ was enjoyable for me. Upon first reading I found the author’s use of graphics funny at times. The facial expressions of the characters were sometimes lighthearted, or other times serious, their faces captured their emotions whether they are joyful or devastated.

Writing about such a serious topic in the form of comics was something that I’m not used to seeing. The only other book that I’ve read about life in the Middle East is The Kite Runner, which dealt with a similar topic. However that novel was not filled with humorous pictures or light hearted moments. Because Persepolis was written in the way that it was, I think it would appeal to both children and adults, which is good, because personally I don’t think anyone should be negligent to what is happening/happened in the Middle East. I can see how some parents could be upset if their young ones buy Persepolis thinking that it will be like a normal graphic novel, only to see that it is reporting on modern events.

As far as the actual story went, I genuinely felt bad for the main character towards the end of the story. In the last chapter she is being forced to grow up at such a young age and leave her homeland and her parents behind. I couldn’t imagine leaving my family in a country with an impending war, not knowing if I’d ever see them again. The fact that her family is so willing to send her to another country captures how bad the violence is where they’re living, and how they have lost all faith in their country. The last moment where the main character looks out through the airport window and sees the injured person, solidifies her knowledge and her parents, that they’re making the right decision.