Why this Book?

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi marks several firsts for LSU’s Summer Reading Program now in its fifth year.  Most strikingly, it’s a graphic memoir combining text and black and white sequential art to relate the story of growing up in revolutionary Iran.  It’s also the first selection to focus on the Middle East, the first to be created by a woman author and artist, and the first to be transformed into an animated film, allowing students to compare and contrast reading and viewing experiences and to discuss the connections and tension between visual and verbal literacies.

The memoir tells of Satrapi’s struggles growing up in Tehran during the turbulent Islamic Revolution.  When Satrapi’s political views at school threaten her safety, her parents send her to boarding school in Vienna to escape the escalating violence.  Life is not easy for the teenager on her own, and she makes some bad decisions; she eventually returns to her country and family to encounter incredible public and private changes.  Following a brief marriage and divorce, she finally chooses a life of exile in France where she continues her studies and career.  The reader learns about her extended, loving and supportive family, her dreams, her religious beliefs, her rebellious nature, her poor judgments, and her triumphs. The memoir is at times funny, poignant, surprising, scary, honest, and sad, but always full of the Iranian author’s keen observations.

Persepolis addresses issues that will appeal to students leaving home to pursue an education; to Americans wanting to learn more about the history, religions, politics, and culture of Iran; and to readers who are curious about how visual and textual components can work together to enrich a story.

A committee of LSU students, faculty, and staff selected the book for the 2008 Summer Reading Program.  Here’s what some of them say about the choice:

Besides being an entertaining and informative memoir, Persepolis makes you think twice before forming an opinion about foreign people and cultures.  I think many college students will be surprised that they are able to relate to the experiences that Satrapi writes about. 
Arman Sheybani
Biological Sciences, Senior

Persepolis is edgy, engaging, and smartly written and drawn. The graphic novel form represents the story's complexities in a readable and relatable way, despite the fact that the actual story took place halfway around the world decades ago. A truly remarkable and groundbreaking book, one that I'm excited to have as LSU's Summer Reading Program book!
Jan Edwards, Senior, English

I found the graphic part of the book engaging and revealing.  The graphics communicated a depth of emotion that I found surprising and intense. 
Prof. Pam Blanchard, Educational Theory, Policy, and Practice
Persepolis is a challenging new way of looking at Summer Reading: not only does its presentation allow for great discussion, but Satrapi's subject is riveting and extremely important given the political climate in which we find ourselves as Americans.  Iran is country that the US has a long history with and we would be remiss to ignore such a fantastic read on their background.  The characters are engaging, the format is beautiful and the assignment of a graphic novel is...well...novel.  Not to mention the importance of assigning a female author from a Middle Eastern country!  I couldn't be prouder to have partaken in this accomplishment.
Elizabeth Buckley, English Creative Writing, Senior

Persepolis is a great read. The author weaves a tale through words and imagery that draws the reader to experience the world through her eyes. Even a casual reader will be absorbed by her story and creative expression.
Prof. Barbara Apostolou, Accounting

The Summer Reading Program selection should engage students from diverse backgrounds and expose freshmen to other cultures, parts of the world, and issues that they might not normally face.  Persepolisis an engaging story of a college-age student struggling to understand the world – just as our incoming LSU students are doing.  Furthermore, the story involves an internal conflict that continues to impact our country. But possibly the most valuable example is how the student’s family helps her to think critically about important issues and to make conscious choices about her future. Persepolisshares with us a view of Iranian family life that is positive and personal, one that is not that different from many U.S. households.  The press often depicts the U.S. in constant conflict with the Middle East.  We need opportunities to examine our own assumptions and understand what we have in common and how our differences impact individuals and our social-cultural, economic and political systems.  Persepolis provides an excellent perspective from which to initiate this examination. 
Prof. John Pine, Environmental Studies  

Persepolis offers, through a combination of drawings and a simple yet stimulating text, the unique perspective of a young woman finding her individuality in one of the most restrictive and oppressive environments in the world.
James Moroney, English Education

“LSU chose a comic book for incoming freshmen to read over the summer?  I thought the university was trying to raise standards!”  I could imagine the forthcoming criticism when the Book Selection named Persepolisthe 2008 LSU Summer Reading selection.  But find about four hours this summer to read the graphic memoir.  I’ll bet you’ll be glad you did as you find yourself thinking for days afterwards about universal struggles involved in growing up—matters of faith, relationships, families, values, cultures, politics, and education.  Then don’t be surprised if you find yourself rereading; I did. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the emotions and image on page 153.
Prof. Sarah Liggett, LSU Writing Center

Edgy, searingly observant, and candid, often heartbreaking but threaded throughout with raw humor and hard-earned wisdom--Persepolis is a stunning work from one of the most highly regarded, singularly talented graphic artists at work today.