Much Recommended: Perspolis

May 1, 2008 at 1:19 pm · Filed under Pop Culture, Roba

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I have to admit that although I’m an art major and although I really love images, I am not a graphic-novel sort of person. I find their flow rather confusing, and their fonts and styles hard to read. Which is why I at first I was very reluctant to read Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis.

But then, I managed to get my hands on it, and found myself unable to stop, until I finished Persepolis, Persepolis 2, and Embroideries in a few days.

The books are brilliant, beautiful, and absolutely hilarious. As an Arab, I found that they are very easy
to relate to, especially when they talk about the culture. Having lived in Saudi Arabia, I could also relate to some of the issues brushed upon in the books.

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Anyway, I heard that the movie is banned here after Lebanon banned it (out of fear of inciting hate, boooo). I hope that’s not true.

Other book reviews on AndFarAway:

The Mists of Avalon 
All My Friends are Superheroes 
The Lord of the Rings
His Dark Materials
Persepolis
Harry Potter
Twilight
Blood and Gold
1984
Maus
Fatal Identities
The Time Traveller’s Wife
The Alchemist
Eleven Minutes






  • http://dreamessence.wordpress.com dreamessence

    You should seriously get your hands on the movie somehow–it left me mesmerized :) I really, truly enjoyed watching it.

  • http://theminer.blogspot.com Bobby

    Yes, it has been banned in some countries such as Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Anyways, I have watched it. This is unfortunately our daily story in Iran.

  • http://www.caledoniyya.com Layla

    How ironic: the book that opens our eyes in such a captivating and skilful manner is banned in the same manner as that which inspired it. I, too, devoured the books in a crazily short amount of time and love, *love* Marjane Satrapi’s work.

    Funny thing is, often the critics and/or censors don’t fully grasp – or even read – that which they condemn, such as ‘We Are Iran: The Persian Blogs’. It’s deeply disheartening.

  • catwoman

    really, the movie is banned? what a shame! it is such beautiful piece of art…and i did not perceive it as offending at all – quite the opposite It is very personal and sensitive and I think it gives Iranians and Muslims a more real face and it is so easy to relate to!!

  • http://bidoonsukkar.blogspot.com/ Nour

    I LOVEEE Perspolis.. Roby, I have the movie you can borrow it if you like, you lend me the books, and I’ll lend you the movie.. deal? teehee

  • Fika

    Watched it sometime back, the graphics are pretty amazing. You should watch the making of, too. They have it at the official site.

    My friend who at the time of watching it, haven’t read the comics, thought the movie to be too depressing!

  • Ali

    The movie “was” banned in Lebanon but they allowed some time ago.

  • Reem

    It’s not banned in Lebanon anymore.

  • http://qassami.blogspot.com mo

    it was initially banned in lebanon but the decision was revoked a short time later

  • http://www.thrusites.com/ Susan from Thrusites

    I do not know, If we here will have this book, but it looks interesting.
    I’m not a Arab and I even do not understand what the whole thing around dressing women into long dresses, like we were only a sexual object. In this way, the Muslim religion insult me as a woman. Of course Christian religion insults women too, not us much, but it also does. This is the reason why I do not believe in any god. I’m equal to any man on this planet and nobody will treat me like peace of sh…!
    Maybe lot of stories were funny, but the abstract were irritate me. Just like the picture. It is great and funny, but who has to right tell me I do something obscene, when I even cant wear what I want?

  • http://travellerwithin.blogspot.com Mohamed

    R – long time no speak, I hope you’re very well!
    I think you may also download it on Veoh.com.
    (You did not hear that from me, of course. Downloads are bad. Purchasing good.)

    Please watch it! It’s brilliant. I hadn’t read the comic book (well, the illustrated version) and was taken aback by the grace of the images and the realism of the story.

  • http://muqtataf.blogspot.com rawi

    gasp! you MUST like graphic novels. there are some very good ones out there. like joe sacco’s palestine. although sacco’s style is probably one of those you might find a bit confusing.

  • http://diasporicdiscontents.blogspot.com Carmen

    The movie will make you cry. If you haven’t seen it yet I’ll mail you a copy…

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