Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (2000) by Marjane Satrapi is a groundbreaking graphic memoir that recounts the author’s coming-of-age during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Through stark, expressive black-and-white illustrations, Satrapi chronicles her childhood in Tehran—from the fall of the Shah to the rise of theocratic rule—blending historical upheaval with dark humor and poignant intimacy.
The narrative follows young Marjane’s rebellious spirit as she navigates war, political repression, and her family’s Marxist ideals, all while wrestling with identity under a regime that polices women’s bodies and minds. Her childlike perspective—naïve yet fiercely observant—reveals the absurdities and horrors of revolution, from secret punk mixtapes to executions masked as “accidents.”
A landmark in autobiographical comics, Persepolis humanizes Iran’s complex history while universalizing themes of resistance, exile, and the cost of freedom. Its success spawned a sequel (Persepolis 2) and an acclaimed animated film (2007).
