It Would Have Been Better to Just Go—A Review of Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

I didn't know what to think going into this book. Well, first of all, it's not actually a book. It's a graphic novel, but it's about the Islamic Revolution through the eyes of the author/artist, who was a young child in Iran during this time. She experiences many changes, in herself and in her country, such as suddenly being required to wear the chador and not being able to express her own opinions.

It's a surreal experience, reading this novel. It's hard to imagine that people went through all this. I mean, I've read all about it and watched plenty of movies (one of my favorite movies is Argo, which is about the Iranians taking over the US Embassy). It's very different, however, to read a novel from the point of view of someone who isn't American, who was raised by adamant communists, and who was actually forced to seek asylum in a different country, which, in this case, is France.

Now, this story was cute and funny at parts, but also very grave at other times. There's torture and riots and murder that a child should never have to witness. A really good quote is said by Marjane's grandmother at the end of the book. Marji has just been told that she is being sent to Vienna for schooling, but moreso because the country isn't safe anymore, with the war and all. Her grandma says, "“In life you'll meet a lot of jerks. If they hurt you, tell yourself that it's because they're stupid. That will help keep you from reacting to their cruelty. Because there is nothing worse than bitterness and vengeance... Always keep your dignity and be true to yourself.”

These words are actually great words to live by. You shouldn't let anyone get you down, and if they do, you never stoop to their level. Her grandma is probably thinking about the Fundamentalists that rule Iran with terror, and is hoping that Marji will never be like them, but even so, this is a great thing to tell Marji. She always needs to stay true to herself, which is probably why she ended up drawing this graphic novel.

At the end, Marji's parents drop her off at the airport, and she cries but wants them to leave, probably because she doesn't want to be reminded that she's leaving them, possibly forever. As she walks away toward her gate, she turns about. "It would have been better to just go," she says, and that's the last line of the book. Because when she turns around, she finds that her mom has fainted with sadness and her father is carrying her away. She can't leave, and can only watch. And it's years later that she sees them again. Well, at least, that's what I assume. There's a sequel, but I haven't read it yet.

So yeah, go read this. It's very short, and should only take you a few hours to read, and it gives you a very interesting insight to a life that isn't so pleasant.

#graphicnovel #persepolis #marjanesatrapi