The second incredible person that I would like to indite into the "Superhero" hall of fame is Marjane Satrapi. The fantastically brilliant writer of "The Complete Persepolis", "Embroideries", and "Chicken with Plums". She is highly acclaimed and her books are truly engaging. I read "The Complete Persepolis" when it was leant to me by my friend Madde [boy you come up a lot, Madde]. It is the incredible story of Marjane's life growing up in Iran during the Iranian Revolution. The most unique thing about this book, though, is the fact that it is about 450 pages written entirely written in comic book strip.
Through this unique writing method she takes us through her childhood from the first time her freedom to where the
clothes she wanted was taken away, to when she was forced to leave Iran without her family. She speaks out about her opinions on women's rights through her teenage self and her struggle with her identity as Iranian in Europe. "Embroideries" is the fantastic and true story once again written in comic book strip, about the "romance tips" that the women she new in Iran give each other when they get married and have intercourse for the first time. It is hilarious informative and in the end very empowering. I have not read "Chicken with Plums" yet but I cannot wait, it is the story of her Great Uncle, Nasser Ali Khan who was one of Iran's most revered musicians who takes to his bed after breaking his beloved "tar" instrument. He then sinks into such a depression that he has visions and thinks of suicide. This book is respected as one of the most poignant and ambitious books to pose the question of what makes life worth living. Not only that but following the questionable re-election of Iran's current leader Marjane wrote a heartbreaking and inspiring piece about how those of us who have not seen Iran should treat it, and of the pride she still feels to be from there and the beauty she still finds in her country and how she plans to return. For these reasons and so many more I dedicate this weeks Superhero Sunday to the one and only Marjane Satrapi.
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