Journal Entry 1 by Carole888 from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Saturday, December 20, 2008

This is absolutely brilliant! It is set in Iran during the time of the Islamic revolution and also the war with Iraq... and is a memoir of the author's early life. It has been made into a movie too. This version contains both books: Persepolis I and Persepolis II


A brief account from random house found here

ABC news link here

Audio interview with Marjane Sartrapi (10:49 mins)- from Barnes and Noble site

Satrapi on Defending My Country
 

Journal Entry 2 by Carole888 from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Saturday, December 20, 2008

This will be heading out on a book-ring around Australia and New Zealand. (book weighs 350 gms)

Participants:

alkaline-kiwi Auckland, NZ
leeny37 Melb, Vic
ukcanaus Melb, Vic
Jean-Sol Melb, Vic
tqd Sydney, NSW
Fleebo Sydney, NSW Fleebo has read another copy
bookseekerATSydney, NSW
RockDg9Toowoomba, QLD
crimson-tide Balingup, WA
9moons Tarragindi, QLD
Elddau1 Bungendore, NSW
rmjwold Canberra, ACT
Miss-Owl Sydney, NSW (temporarily skipping - please contact later)
 

Journal Entry 3 by Carole888 at Bookring, a postal release -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (1/6/2009 UTC) at Bookring, a postal release -- Controlled Releases

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The journey has begun. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 4 by alkaline-kiwi from Auckland, Auckland Province New Zealand on Tuesday, January 13, 2009

When I saw the package from Australia I racked my brain on what book it could be, was pleasantly surprised it was this one and look forward to reading it. I think my partner wants to read it too so will start on it soon.

 

Journal Entry 5 by alkaline-kiwi from Auckland, Auckland Province New Zealand on Tuesday, January 20, 2009

An incredibly interesting and enlightening book about the author's childhood and growing up. The best graphic novel I have read so far.

This book taught me some things and was an eye-opener as I did not know much about Iran prior to reading it. I might even try and track down a copy of this book for my own personal collection.

My partner Erik (earok on BookCrossing) is currently reading this book so will send it on once he has finished it. 

Journal Entry 6 by alkaline-kiwi from Auckland, Auckland Province New Zealand on Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Oops.. well it has been over a month since I last journaled, earok has been away so when he gets back I will send off the book to the next reader. Sorry it has taken me so long 

Journal Entry 7 by alkaline-kiwi from Auckland, Auckland Province New Zealand on Sunday, March 15, 2009

Sorry for my slackness.. I sent off the book this afternoon to leeny37 - the post office told me it should get there within a week. 

Journal Entry 8 by leeny37 from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Thursday, March 19, 2009

The book arrived today, thanks! :) I will try to get to it soon.

Blurb on back cover:
The intelligent and outspoken child of radical Marxists, and the great-granddaughter 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. 

Journal Entry 9 by leeny37 from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Firstly, my sincere apologies for taking so very long with this book. I will be posting this to the next participant first thing tomorrow morning! *sheepish grin*

Now, back to the book. I know almost nothing about Iran so Persopolis is quite an eye-opening read about a part of the world that is very alien to me. The use of the comic book medium in Persopolis is an effective one as it makes a distressing and complicated tale more accessible to readers. The illustrations are simple and cartoonish, a stark contrast against the complex and sometimes harrowing backdrop of Satrapi’s life and journey into adulthood. Despite the simplicity of the illustrations, they still manage to convey with forceful impact the horrors and stifling restrictions of a turbulent life in Iran and the challenges of finding her own identity when she goes to Austria as a teenager. Satrapi pulls you into her story and provides the reader rare insight into a life behind closed doors. I definitely want to watch the movie now and see how it compares to the book. Thanks again to Carole888 for sharing this intriguing read with everyone! 

Journal Entry 10 by leeny37 at Forest Hill, Victoria Australia on Sunday, June 21, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (6/21/2009 UTC) at Forest Hill, Victoria Australia

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Posting this to ukcanaus via a prepaid Express Post satchel, tracking #: MV0446998. 

Journal Entry 11 by ukcanaus from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Book arrived today. Thanks leeny37 for sending it to me, and to Carole888 for sharing. 

Journal Entry 12 by ukcanaus from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Sunday, July 12, 2009

This book makes you forget the stereotypes we are presented of Iran; I had to admit I really did not know that much about the revolution, but can appreciate much more of what the ordinary Iranian faced after reading this. I have borrowed the DVD and will watch it this week - it will be interesting to compare the versions.

Thanks, Carole888, for sharing Persepolis.

This book will be given to its next reader this morning [who I discovered is a work colleague (I love Bookcrossing surprises!)]. 

Journal Entry 13 by Jean-Sol from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Sunday, July 12, 2009

Delivered by hand to my office, thanks ukcanaus! I've been wanting to read this book for a while so am very grateful to Carol888 for fitting me in the bookring. I'll get onto it asap!
 

Journal Entry 14 by Jean-Sol from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, August 04, 2009

I just finished reading this book tonight and it's made a strong impression on me. I'd recommend this book to anyone, it's a fantastic read. There's a real contrast between the simplicity of the drawings, the scarcity of the words and the message they deliver. It's very effective. I found the chapters about the revolution in Iran and the war really interesting but at the same time difficult, because of the sheer horror I could feel through them. I was reading it just after all the recent events following the Iranian elections, which added to it and made it even more relevant.
Like ukcanaus I'm planning to go and look for the DVD at my library!
Thanks Carole888 for adding me on to the list. The book is now ready to move on again, this time to tgd in Sydney. I hope that she enjoys it as much as I did. 

Journal Entry 15 by Jean-Sol at Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, August 06, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (8/5/2009 UTC) at Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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On its way to tqd in Sydney. I know she's been waiting for this book and hope she enjoys it as much as I did. 

Journal Entry 16 by tqd from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Monday, August 10, 2009

Thanks Jean-Sol, the book turned up today! I do have a backlog of reading, but I might just bump this one to the top of Mt TBR and read it tonight as I'm catching up with fleebo tomorrow night! Gosh, am I biting off more than I can chew? (Answer: yes, but what's new?) 

Journal Entry 17 by tqd from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, August 11, 2009

A simply marvelous book.

I'd seen the movie when it came out, and absolutely loved it. While my memory of it is a bit hazy now, this seemed a remarkably faithful adaptation.

I found the plight of the family incredibly moving: their lives, work and family are all in Iran, but they can see this isn't a good place for Marjane to grow up. But to send their only daughter to Europe on her own was just heartbreaking. I did shed a tear or two while I read some of her adventures. And her honesty in retelling what she went through made this an exceptional book.

I am always affected by people who end up "between" countries. In Europe, she was an Iranian. But when she returns to Iran, she's seen as a decadent westerner.

And everyone deserves a Grandma like her Grandma. She rocked.

I should be seeing Fleebo tonight at meetup (bookdrinks!) so will pass this on to her then. (But in case you think I'm remarkably efficient, let me also confess that I don't have the other book to hand that I owe her. And that one's been in limbo for a few weeks now. Argh.)

Oh, and one of the pages has come loose in its travels. Someone with some skill with glue may be able to fix it (I believe bulldog clips are the trick, but have never tried myself). 

Journal Entry 18 by tqd at Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (8/11/2009 UTC) at Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia

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Hoping to pass on to Fleebo tonight!

Happy hunting/reading!

ETA: Fleebo has forgotten she was on this ring, so has sourced another copy elsewhere. I'll get this in the post to bookseekerAT asap. 

Journal Entry 19 by tqd from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Friday, August 14, 2009

Just a quick note: Fleebo forgot she was on the ring, and sourced another copy. I've got bookseekerAT's address and will pop it in the post to her ASAP (Mr TQD is engrossed in it at the moment, but he should be finished soon). 

Journal Entry 20 by tqd at Balmain, New South Wales Australia on Friday, August 21, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (8/20/2009 UTC) at Balmain, New South Wales Australia

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Mr TQD enjoyed this, and it's now been carefully bundled up and popped in the post to BookseekerAT.

Happy reading! 

Journal Entry 21 by bookseekerAT from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Arrived in the post yesterday. Looking forward to 'reading' it, although with my current demands at work, it may take me a while. Also, a couple of pages have come loose, so I will make this a 'sitting still at home read' rather than a 'drag with me everywhere I go read.'
Thanks Carole888 for sharing, and tqd for sending it to me. 

Journal Entry 22 by Carole888 from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Friday, September 04, 2009

Just a quick note to let you all know that I am at the bottom of Squeaky Chu's ray for Embroideries another graphic novel by the same author. I don't think it will get to Australia till next year .... or perhaps even later ..... so if anyone is interested, here's the link:
embroideries ☺ 

Journal Entry 23 by bookseekerAT from Sydney, New South Wales Australia on Monday, September 07, 2009

This was my first graphic novel, and I was never sure why people would read these rather than a more 'traditional' novel. I think I appreciate the value of the graphic approach now. The story itself is moving and compelling, and I found it fascinating to learn more about daily life in Iran. The images added a lot in this context, providing some very moving visual support to the story and emotions.

A great book, and another example of something I would probably never have come across if it were not for bookcrossing.

Thanks so much Carole888 for sharing. 

Journal Entry 24 by bookseekerAT at Stanmore, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, September 10, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (9/10/2009 UTC) at Stanmore, New South Wales Australia

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Sending the book on its way to RockDg9 today.
Really enjoyed this one and have been recommending it to others. Will try to get hold of the movie.
Happy bookcrossing all!
Anita 

Journal Entry 25 by RockDg9 from Toowoomba, Queensland Australia on Thursday, September 17, 2009

Arrived thnanks! 

Journal Entry 26 by RockDg9 from Toowoomba, Queensland Australia on Sunday, September 20, 2009

I liked the way the reader got a feel for Iranian culture through the telling of the story. Marjane was not a really likeable character - at times you just want to slap her, but I think because this is a tale of growing up, stuff like that is going to be in the book and it's great that she didn't leave it out or gloss over it. It's a very honest book. 

Journal Entry 27 by RockDg9 at Toowoomba, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (9/23/2009 UTC) at Toowoomba, Queensland Australia

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Posted on to crimson-tide. 

Journal Entry 28 by crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, October 01, 2009

Arrived today and looking forward to it. Thanks all. 

Journal Entry 29 by crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, October 21, 2009

A wonderful book. I agree with just about everything others have said above, and can't really add much more. It's interesting, educational, tragic, sad, funny, and exceptionally honest. The way such a complex emotional, psychological and political story can be conveyed in so much depth with such economy of artwork and words is almost magical.

Sending off to 9moons very soon. 

Journal Entry 30 by crimson-tide at Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, October 22, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (10/22/2009 UTC) at Balingup, Western Australia Australia

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Posted to 9moons today. 

Journal Entry 31 by 9moons from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Arrived today and went straight to the top of the pile - the other two books I'm reading will just have to wait ;) 

Journal Entry 32 by 9moons from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, November 04, 2009

What a marvellous story! The black and white rendering is amazing - the way emotions and nuances are depicted is really quite masterful.
I'll be buying a copy for my permanent collection!
I hope this story reaches many people far and wide. 

Journal Entry 33 by Elddau1 from Yass, New South Wales Australia on Friday, November 13, 2009

Received yesterday, thanks for sending, 9moons and thanks again to Carole888 for sharing this wonderful book.

This looks so good. I can't wait. I have another ring that turned up yesterday so it'll be next but countdebeans (hubby) has expressed an interest in reading it too, so would he be able to be added to the list too, Carole? 

Journal Entry 34 by Elddau1 from Yass, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Finished on 16/12 and waiting for the next move from the lovely Carole888.

An amazing book to read. Thankyou Carole for the opportunity.
[More thoughts below] 

Journal Entry 35 by Elddau1 from Yass, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, December 29, 2009

This is a very good book to experience. Marjane’s story and the story of her people is an important one to tell - the suffering of her family, the atrocities, the oppression of the Islamic regime and the important contrast between the proscriptive orders of the Government and the private beliefs and actions of everyday people.
I had previously read A Thousand Splendid Suns and Half of a Yellow Sun and in comparison this is less ‘horrific’ for the reader. I guess that would be because Marjane (and the reader) is on the periphery of the war. She isn’t the victim of the atrocities personally. Marjane is told of the worst events mostly second hand. It has less immediacy of the large scale events. The war is not the main character in Persepolis, it’s the life of one person against this backdrop - though it forms and motivates her.

I had never read a graphic book before. I think the simple style of the images suited Marjane’s young life and the events were heightened by the graphic representation.
(Though maybe a little more sophisticated images might have been used for her story as a (young) adult / university student?)

Persepolis reads like a journal. The events are told in chronological steps, with nothing receiving more emphasis particularly than anything else. For me that meant it lacked a little impact. Or maybe it was the way I read it? The end of the book felt like it was simply the last event and I was a little unsatisfied by that. I wondered if there is a Persepolis III?

Persepolis is very powerful in its simplicity and truth. It is very well done that you are drawn into Marjane’s view of these events and you feel with her. It captures intimately the private thoughts, confusion and feelings of Marjane, one little girl who becomes a woman. I didn’t really like Marjane herself but I felt empathy for her. I felt proud of her turning her life around and triumph that she escaped.
 

Journal Entry 36 by rmjwold from Monash, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Saturday, January 02, 2010

Rec'd today from Elddau1 at the Canberra meet up in Curtain. Will read and return to Countdebeans in February. 

Journal Entry 37 by rmjwold from Monash, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Sunday, January 03, 2010

I enjoyed this book, although I preferred the first half of the book to the second half. As a younger child she was wonderful, but as a teenager and young adult I found Marjane to be a self-centred brat. I was hoping for her to do something extraordinary in the second half. Well worth a read though, only took a day.

Will wait to hear from Carole888 to see who to send the book on to next - many thanks. 

Journal Entry 38 by rmjwold from Monash, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Monday, March 08, 2010

This book is being sent back to Carole888 before heading off to a new reader. Many thanks! 

Journal Entry 39 by Carole888 from Perth, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, March 25, 2010

The book is now back with me. Thanks heaps for sending it across rmj and thank you to everyone for helping the book travel and for all your lovely journals.

(Book has gone off with my daughter.)

Dec 10 ... Book came back and is now with a friend :)