There are novel that, with few essential elements, can narrow the story of one person, and at the same time, the History of a people. “Persepolis”, through the life of its young author and hero, and women, we underline it, Marjane Satrapi, is an interesting adventure from the Reza’s old Persia and the religious revolution to the present we know. From here a new childhood against a war (the Iran-Iraq war, Editor’s note), with a black veil on her head, like all others Iranian women.

After her expatriation in Austria, Marjane is becoming a young woman. School, friends, the first love, drugs, racism and the difficult to be a Persian woman in Europe, and a lot of other problems, are the ingredients of the second part of this story. Then the return at home, with another problems bound at the religious morals of the Iranian theocratic dictatorship, and, at the last, a new expatriation in Europe.

All of this isn’t only write but also drawing with a funny and basic style, black and white, with a direct approach doesn’t save up ignorance neither hypocrisy. Reading this book everyone (he or she must want it, of course) can thinking about the world’s complexity, and how prejudices, and foolishness, haven’t country, race or sex.

An original and clever work, and however not bad for an ex-child who wanted to be a prophet.

Waiting the movie.

(by Alex Miozzi)

Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis, Lizard, € 22,50 euro

Ph.: Marjane Satrapi  © Rama