Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
15 journalers for this copy...
This book has been compared to Maus by Art Spiegelmann. I think that others have drawn that comparison because it's a graphic novel about a family in turmoil (to say the least). I wouldn't say that it's similar to Maus at all, other than in format.
The author says (and I'm paraphrasing here) in the preface that she is trying to expose more readers world-wide to the concept of non-fundamentalist, non-radical, non-terrorist Iranians. I think that she will succeed with this book and its forth-coming sequel.
This book is a very easy read. I blew through it in about 2 hours.
I'll be shipping it off to woodsroy very soon.
The author says (and I'm paraphrasing here) in the preface that she is trying to expose more readers world-wide to the concept of non-fundamentalist, non-radical, non-terrorist Iranians. I think that she will succeed with this book and its forth-coming sequel.
This book is a very easy read. I blew through it in about 2 hours.
I'll be shipping it off to woodsroy very soon.
I really enjoyed this book--then again, I've always enjoyed graphic or illustrated novels. Satrapi does an excellent job of giving insight to her generation's perceptions of the civil unrest in Iran. Funny in some parts, poignant in others, Persepolis is a must-read book for those interested in learning more about the culture in the Middle East.
It's on its way via airmail to woodsroy. I normally ship things via Media Mail or surface mail, but since the airmail was only 35¢ more, I figured I'd splurge. ;-)
Just received this in the mail today. I've heard a lot about this book. Thank you so much to cliff1976 for offering it to me. I'm sure everyone in my book club will want to read it as well.
Oh, and thanks for splurging cliff1976!
Oh, and thanks for splurging cliff1976!
Since I didn't have time to read this one right away, I lent it to a member in my local book club/bookcrosser. I will read it afterwards.
An interesting read, to say the least. I certainly learned a lot about the Iranian culture and history, more than I ever did in school, that's for sure. The format is light and makes it an easy and enjoyable read. On the flip side, because it's so light, there are many things left unsaid and unexplored. Questions I would have liked to know the answer to...
But it's definitely worth reading. I would recommend to all my friends.
But it's definitely worth reading. I would recommend to all my friends.
Journal Entry 7 by woodsroy at Fellow Bookcrosser in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Maryland USA on Monday, August 11, 2003
Released on Monday, August 11, 2003 at To Fellow BookCrosser in Gaithersburg, Maryland USA.
Mailed this one to kristamd. Hope you enjoy it!
Mailed this one to kristamd. Hope you enjoy it!
Borrowed this from woodsroy - she sent me an email the other day to remind me to journal it (I'm a bit of a slacker). Neat book. I'd never read a graphic novel before ("graphic novel" sounds so much better than "cartoons" doesn't it?). Very glad to hear that there is a sequel coming as I felt cheated when I got to the last page, I wanted to know what happened.
Woodsroy very kindly sent this book after seeing it on my wishlist. I'm excited to read it in conjunction with Reading Lolita in Tehran. Thank you!
An original choice of format for explaining the Islamic Revolution and one child's place in it. Marjane Satrapi grew up with two outspoken parents who encouraged her to express her views. Coming of age into a country in tumult, she discovers that expressing her views might not always be welcome or safe. Truly funny moments, including Satrapi's dad smuggling in contraband posters in his coat, bump up against moments of horrifying brutality and upheaval. Will Marjane "bow her head and let the wave pass" or will she stand up against oppression?
***BOOKRAY***
Ray in progress. 4426 miles traveled as of 6/17!
This already well-traveled book wants to see new shores. Here are the bookray participants in their traveling order:
Update: Bookray has started! Any new participants will be welcome but will be added to the end of the list.
weeblet (read and released)
Kernow8 (read and released)
quorcester (read and released)
Rampallion(read and released)
kymberlie (read and released)
PokPok (read and released)
JDT (read and released)
illinicheme (read and released)
AuntK, California, USA (currently has possession)
caligula03, California, USA
fruitbat, Oregon, USA
missJAS, Washington, USA
mfa, Portugal
tho, Portugal
BlossomU, Portugal
Sossap, Portugal
Fofum, UK
loopy1, UK
add:airyaa, Iran
add:katayoun, Iran
add:Hengameh, Iran
add:suzen, France
add:alarob, Alabama, USA
add:Stensler, Wisconsin, USA
Any new participants will be added to the end of the list.
***BOOKRAY***
Ray in progress. 4426 miles traveled as of 6/17!
This already well-traveled book wants to see new shores. Here are the bookray participants in their traveling order:
Update: Bookray has started! Any new participants will be welcome but will be added to the end of the list.
weeblet (read and released)
Kernow8 (read and released)
quorcester (read and released)
Rampallion(read and released)
kymberlie (read and released)
PokPok (read and released)
JDT (read and released)
illinicheme (read and released)
AuntK, California, USA (currently has possession)
caligula03, California, USA
fruitbat, Oregon, USA
missJAS, Washington, USA
mfa, Portugal
tho, Portugal
BlossomU, Portugal
Sossap, Portugal
Fofum, UK
loopy1, UK
add:airyaa, Iran
add:katayoun, Iran
add:Hengameh, Iran
add:suzen, France
add:alarob, Alabama, USA
add:Stensler, Wisconsin, USA
Any new participants will be added to the end of the list.
got it! thanks! i'll start it tomorrow or the day after <:
*thank you*, kristamd!i'm still wiping my eyes as i type this...i've never really gotten into the comic genre, but this was phenomenal. i learned some things, and got a peek through someone elses window, which i love.
persepolis while resume its journey on monday.
Release planned for Monday, September 22, 2003 at Bookcrosser's home in postal release, postal release USA.
Journal Entry 14 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 24, 2003
I just received this in the mail from weeblet - howdy neighbor back!
It looks very striking, with its bold black and white images. I haven't read a graphic novel before so I'm looking forward to this! Thanks!
It looks very striking, with its bold black and white images. I haven't read a graphic novel before so I'm looking forward to this! Thanks!
Journal Entry 15 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 1, 2003
I thought this book was a real treat to read, and one that I never would have come across without BookCrossing. I was a bit skeptical about how much could be conveyed in the comic form but now I am a convert - I now understand why the French are so mad about their "bandes dessinées"! Interestingly this book was first published in France where it was a runaway success, according to the blurb.
I was most amazed to see that Satrapi's family led, or tried to lead, a life very similar to mine (I am about the same age but grew up in England). You need books like this to break down cultural preconceptions...
Sending on to quorcester in the very near future... Thanks to everyone who has crossed this book before!
Update Saturday, October 04 - mailed today.
I was most amazed to see that Satrapi's family led, or tried to lead, a life very similar to mine (I am about the same age but grew up in England). You need books like this to break down cultural preconceptions...
Sending on to quorcester in the very near future... Thanks to everyone who has crossed this book before!
Update Saturday, October 04 - mailed today.
I just got this in the mail today. I have a book ahead of it to read, but the cover and the book itself just looked so enticing that I couldn't help but start it anyway. So I may get done with this quicker than I normally would have planned. :-)
And so far, this is really an amazing book...
And so far, this is really an amazing book...
I finished this Friday, but I haven't had any internet access until now. The book is just fabulous. It can be incredibly funny, but then heatbreaking in just the next frame. I had tears in my eyes by the end of the book. And on the information aspect, I do feel as though I have learned more about Iran's history. I really don't know all that much (my knowledge basically consisted of the iran hostage situation was taking place at around the time that I was born). Art-wise, at first I was a bit nervous about how simple the artwork was. But despite the simplicity, Satrapi was able to convey facial expressions and differentiate between people. This was absolutely wonderful; I've already been recommending it to other people. :-) Now I want to read it in French.
Thanks, kristamd, for offering this as a bookray. I probably would never had picked this up on my own, but I am so incredibly glad that I have read it. :-)
Thanks, kristamd, for offering this as a bookray. I probably would never had picked this up on my own, but I am so incredibly glad that I have read it. :-)
Journal Entry 18 by quorcester at Next In Line - Bookray in -- BOOKRAY, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Monday, October 13, 2003
Release planned for Tuesday, October 14, 2003 at next in line--bookray in bookray, postal release USA.
I'm bringing this to the post office after work, so it can make its way to Rampallion...I hope the rest of the people on the ray get as much out of this book as I think I have.
I'm bringing this to the post office after work, so it can make its way to Rampallion...I hope the rest of the people on the ray get as much out of this book as I think I have.
What a gorgeous book! Thank you all for sharing it--I've been wanting to read this for months. And thanks, quorcester, for the beautiful postcard.
Funny, beautiful, but never maudlin. The last chapter made me cry. I grew up in the U.S., but I too wore Nikes and listened to Kim Wilde as a kid. The art is simple but expressive. I especially liked the self-portrait on the book jacket.
I have kymberlie's address, but I won't be able to get to the post office till Wednesday. So I plan to pass this to mozzfan in the meantime.
I have kymberlie's address, but I won't be able to get to the post office till Wednesday. So I plan to pass this to mozzfan in the meantime.
I'm so glad Rampallion brought this book over today. Not enough people in the US understand that everyone in Iran & Iraq is not a religions fundamentalist. I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with many people from Iran and Iraq, who are all Christians. The first few chapters about the changes in school were very similar to the stories a friend of mine from Tehran told me when we were in high school (his family got out very early.)
I think the graphic novel format made this easy to read and kept things casual and light - if this had been a heavy-handed novel about 'one woman's story of oppression' it wouldn't have gotten it's message across so clearly.
Basimta Raba Rampallion (thanks very much Rampallion, in Assyrian.)
I think the graphic novel format made this easy to read and kept things casual and light - if this had been a heavy-handed novel about 'one woman's story of oppression' it wouldn't have gotten it's message across so clearly.
Basimta Raba Rampallion (thanks very much Rampallion, in Assyrian.)
Released on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at to fellow bookcrosser in postal release, postal release USA.
Sent to kymberlie today by mediamail.
Sent to kymberlie today by mediamail.
Received yesterday - thanks, Rampallion! Going to get to this as soon as I can so I can pass it on. Thanks for the opportunity to read this!
Very interesting, very sad graphic novel about a woman growing up in Iran. I really enjoyed it and would love to read the sequel so I could find out more about what happened to Marji.
Going to send this off as soon as I get an address. Sorry about the delay in the ring!
Going to send this off as soon as I get an address. Sorry about the delay in the ring!
I rec'd this today from Kymberlie, so the ring is moving forward. I have 2 bookrings ahead of this, however I know that this was stalled for awhile, and I'd like to move it forward ASAP. I will attempt to read it within the next week, and pass on, but absolutely I will have it moved forward within a month.
Pokpok
Pokpok
Very well done book. I give it an 8 star, only b/c for a 9 or 10, I would like a bit more "meat" to it (ie. a true text book). I can see this as being an excellent teaching tool for Americans...kids and adults.... to see a more varied view of life in Iran (Persia) and just how the changes occurred, and what the general public thought of them. The format of black and white pictures made it visually very compelling, as did the story being told from a child's point of view. There was still some humor, but the point was very well made. It did leave you dangling as to what happens to Marji. I also liked how the book humanized the Iranian citizens...you see that people really are alike all over.
It was very moving. Thank you, weeblet, for organizing this ring, and to kristamd for passing it on. Of the three books on this theme I've read this year, Persepolis, Tales of Two Cities, and Reading Lolita in Tehran, I'd say this is the most accessible to the greatest number of people. (Although ultimately, Tales was my favorite of the three).
I will add this to my "post office run" that should happen this week.
Pokpok
It was very moving. Thank you, weeblet, for organizing this ring, and to kristamd for passing it on. Of the three books on this theme I've read this year, Persepolis, Tales of Two Cities, and Reading Lolita in Tehran, I'd say this is the most accessible to the greatest number of people. (Although ultimately, Tales was my favorite of the three).
I will add this to my "post office run" that should happen this week.
Pokpok
Journal Entry 27 by PokPok at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Monday, May 3, 2004
Release planned for Tuesday, May 04, 2004 at Controlled Release in Controlled release, to another bookcrosser Controlled Releases.
Will mail on to JDT either Tuesday or Wednesday.
Will mail on to JDT either Tuesday or Wednesday.
Nice surprise to receive this bookray today!
Ordinarily, I wouldn't have signed up for a graphic novel - but the description and setting of this book seem so interesting and informative.
I already like the cover art, and drawing style.
Thanks to all before me in this bookray!
Ordinarily, I wouldn't have signed up for a graphic novel - but the description and setting of this book seem so interesting and informative.
I already like the cover art, and drawing style.
Thanks to all before me in this bookray!
Amazing book, likeable author - (the age of my children!), informative, gritty, down-to-earth, sad - and at the same time almost light-hearted, humorous, irreverant, universal.
Very appreciative for the chance to read this book.
Mailing to illinicheme this week!
Very appreciative for the chance to read this book.
Mailing to illinicheme this week!
Arrived today. I read and enjoyed Maus in high school German class, so I'm looking forward to reading another graphic format novel. I'll journal again when finished. Thanks!
This book is wonderful on so many levels. Added to my mental list of "books that ought to be required reading in American classrooms."
I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel. Thanks kristamd for beginning this bookray!
I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel. Thanks kristamd for beginning this bookray!
This book came just the other day and immediately after I opened the envelope, I inhaled it! This is a great book! I hope there is a sequel so I can find out what happened to Marjane! Written with the exceptional sensibilities of a keen childlike eye, it explains the ups and downs of Iran's history. Thank you, Cliff for starting "Persepolis" on it's way.
It appears this bookray was lost or stalled. I have claimed a replacement copy on BookRelay to re-start the ray with caligula03. AuntK, I haven't been able to reach you. Please contact me if you see this. Thank you!
