Persepolis

Reading both volumes of Persepolis was a real treat. The book is named for the ancient capitol of Persia, and represents in many ways the author's own views of Iran as a place lost somewhere between the ancient and the modern. Throughout the memoir, we see Satrapi torn between tradition and family, and modernization and independence. Her bold-lined "cartoony" style is surprisingly effective. All of the characters are extremely emotional and sympathetic in spite of, or perhaps because of the reduced black and white style.
Perhaps the most interesting and heartfelt part of the memoir are the years when Satrapi is away from home as a teenager, experimenting both with drugs and political philosophies. The fluctuationg relationship she has with faith and family is most evident here, as she struggles to define herself and find concrete meaning, thousands of miles from her home. Here, Satrapi illustrates wonderfully the misunderstanding and difficulty that can occur accross cultures, as well as the universal qualities of compassion and friendliness that might be found anywhere.
One of my favorite parts in Persepolis was when Marjane's mother comes to visit her in Vienna after a long time apart. This scene really brings the story into a universal realm of family connections, and highlights the depth of their relationship. When Marjane and her mother meet up, nothing seems to have changed between them, despite their differences in size and appearance. This kind of sentiment is one tht I think most people hve felt at some point with someone very close, and it is one of many scenes that allows the story to flow so comfortably from a larger, political stage into a deeply personal and relatable one.