Persepolis (Pulp Paperback)

*A smaller, cheaper version of the classic graphic memoir.

By Marjane Satrapi. Published by Penguin Random House. 

Softcover, 352 pages, B&W, 2008. 

CHOSEN BY EMMA WATSON FOR 'OUR SHARED SHELF' FEMINIST BOOK CLUB

The Story of a Childhood and The Story of a Return

The intelligent and outspoken child of radical Marxists, and the great-grandaughter of Iran's last emperor, Satrapi bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country. Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran and of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. This is a beautiful and intimate story full of tragedy and humour - raw, honest and incredibly illuminating.

• As Iran enters another important period of change...I think this is particularly good time to pick up Persepolis. Satrapi's deceptively simple, almost whimsical drawings belie the seriousness and rich complexity of her story - but its also very funny too

  Emma Watson, Our Shared Shelf

• A revelation...you will remember it for a very long time

  Mark Haddon

• Persepolis is a stylish, clever and moving weapon of mass destruction

  David Jenkins, Sunday Telegraph

• The magic of Marjane Satrapi's work is that it can condense a whole country's tragedy into one poignant, funny scene after another

  Natasha Walter, Independent on Sunday

• I cannot praise enough Marjane Satrapi's moving account of growing up as a spirited young girl in revolutionary and war-time Iran. Persepolis is disarming and often humorous but ultimately it is shattering

  Joe Sacco