Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Trying Something New, Part II: More Marjane Satrapi Graphic Novels

After reading Persepolis I & II, I couldn't resist continuing to read everything by Marjane Satrapi I could get my hands on. She has also written children's books and been a contributor on other compilations, but I'm pretty sure I have now read all of her graphic novels.


Embroideries, written & illustrated by Marjane Satrapi
Series? yes; companion to Persepolis
Publisher: Pantheon
Date: 2003
How did I get this book? borrowed from library
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars
GoodReads | Publisher

Marjane and the ladies of her family swap stories about their love lives in this companion to Persepolis. It was so interesting to see their perspective as part of a different culture than my own. There is so much we all have in common, and yet there are also challenges many of them face that may seem foreign to a Western reader. Going in, I had no idea what the significance of this book's title was other than a vague thought that embroidery is a typically female activity, but it turns out that is not what it is referring to at all. I won't tell though, you'll have to read it to find out!

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Chicken and Plums, written & illustrated by Marjane Satrapi
Series? no
Publisher: Pantheon
Date: 2004
How did I get this book? borrowed from library
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
GoodReads | Publisher

This wasn't my favorite of all the stories involving Satrapi and/or her family, but it was still well worth reading. This time we went further back in history and learned the story of her musician uncle. An interesting read, but also quite sad. If you enjoyed Persepolis, I would recommend giving it a try. This one was also made into a movie that I will be watching as soon as I can track down a copy from Netflix or my library.

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The Sigh, written & illustrated by Marjane Satrapi
Series? no
Publisher: Pantheon
Date: 2004
How did I get this book? borrowed from library
My Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
GoodReads | Publisher

This was more like a picture book than a graphic novel. The story is a retelling of an old Iranian fairy tale and unfortunately was just OK for me. I've read in other reviews that a lot was lost in translation, and I am inclined to believe that is a big part of the issue.

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Reading Challenges:
Diversity on the Shelf
In Translation
Book to Movie

8 comments:

  1. I didn't even know Satrapi had books out that weren't Persepolis! You learn something new everyday :)

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    1. That is so true! Most new bookish things I learn usually translates into an exploding TBR pile, lol

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  2. The Embroideries sounds like my kind of book. I need to see if it is at my library. Thanks for the recommendation. It may have to wait for me to get some of the incomplete series, completed. Hopefully this year. LOL!

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    1. It was really excellent, especially as a companion to Persepolis, though it could definitely be read on its own as well. Good luck with the series -- they seem to be a vicious cycle for me...as soon as I finish one, I end up with another to start!

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  3. Embroideries- ooh you have me curious about the meaning. I am adding these to my list :)

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    1. It's definitely a good one to read alongside Persepolis - I hope you get a chance to give them a try :)

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  4. Ooh, I have only read Persepolis 1 & 2. I'll have to look for these. xx

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    1. If you liked Persepolis, you definitely should :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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I'd love to hear what you think :)