The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi: A powerful reminder for today’s world

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is an engaging read. I first came across it a couple of years ago while browsing the graphic novel section at Crossword. Honestly, I don’t usually pick up graphic novels—something that hasn’t really changed over time.

What drew me in was the name, the setting, and the author. I was curious about how such a serious story, filled with complex emotions, would be told through a visual format.

Persepolis follows Marjane Satrapi’s own journey from a curious, outspoken child growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution, to a young adult trying to find her place in the world. The book lets you experience her life during a time of deep political and social change.

You see her as a young girl from a progressive, politically aware family, trying to navigate everyday life in an increasingly oppressive world. She not the kind that just go along with things—she questions authority and often feels torn between what she’s taught at school and what she sees at home. Her rebellion even though not exactly dramatic, shows up in small ways like listening to forbidden music, wearing western clothes, and speaking her mind.

Throughout her journey, her family remains a strong influence—they are supportive, yet realistic about the dangers around them. Eventually, they decide to send Marjane abroad for her safety. What follows is a different kind of struggle—one of fitting in, feeling like an outsider, and being caught between two identities.

Her conflict slowly shifts from external to internal, as she tries to figure out where she belongs. This phase of her life is messy and uncertain, but at the same time deeply human.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was how powerful simplicity can be. The Illustrations, though minimal, carry so much emotion. Every frame feels intentional, and the black and white art style lends a starkness that makes the emotions stand out ,there are no distractions, just the graphics ready to pull you straight into the moment.

While the book may seem political, it never feels forced. For Marjane and her family, politics wasn’t something happening in a faraway land — it was at the dinner table, in the classroom, on the streets. It was just part of their lives. Satrapi doesn’t push an agenda; she simply shows things as they were, and her voice remains honest, raw, and unapologetically her own ,even in a world that constantly demanded her silence.

If you ask me, it’s a must-read—especially in today’s world, where war doesn’t seem to affect us as deeply anymore, almost as if we’ve grown used to it.

We scroll past news of conflict every day, often without pausing to reflect. Persepolis brings the human side of it back into focus—the lives disrupted, the fear, the loss, and the small, everyday moments that continue despite it all. It reminds you that behind every headline are real people and real families, all affected by something far beyond their control.

If you’ve already read it, do share your favorite lines in the comments—I’d love to read them.

And if you’re planning to read it, you can find it here.

If you loved Persepolis, you might enjoy these as well:

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas – John Boyne

The Lion Women of Tehran –  Marjan Kamali

The Book Thief – Markus Zusak