An absolutely astounding work, this autobiographical graphic novel traces Satrapi's childhood rebelling against her life in Iran in the 1980s. The daughter of Marxists holding secret parties, Satrapi is wooed by punk music and intellectual discussion and with levity discusses the often overwhelming circumstances and decisions placed before her at a young age while she discovers her place amongst religion, war, and the self-discovery of youth.
A time and place I wasn't particularly informed about brought absolutely to life through Satrapi's words and illustrations, I read this book in one sitting and when I looked in the mirror after found my face covered in black marks from having grasped its pages so urgently and not noticed that my fingertips were covered with ink - the reading experience was that enrapturing.
- Erin
