Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (Persepolis, #1) by Marjane Satrapi

 Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (Persepolis, #1) by Marjane Satrapi-153 pages

This is the story of Marjane Satrapi and her childhood in Iran. She grew up during the Iranian Revolution (aka the Islamic Revolution) of 1978-1979. A couple of years later Iran and Iraq were at war. Atrocities abounded both during and after the Iranian Revolution. The regime installed after the revolution was an extremely repressive Islamic government. Veils now had to be worn and worn properly by women. Parties, playing cards, tapes, records, and the like were banned. Men were encouraged to grow long beards and to never wear ties. Anyone found in violation of these new rules could be arrested and executed. Both Marjane and her mother had scary run-ins with patrols on behalf of the regime. Many died both during the revolution and the subsequent war and Marjane saw some of it first-hand. Bombings were frequent during the war. When Marjane turned fourteen, her parents sent her to Vienna, Austria to attend a French school (she had attended French schools in Tehran, Iran) out of concern for her safety in Iran. I didn't know much about the Iranian Revolution or the history of Iran before reading this graphic novel, but I learned quite a bit from reading this. It's not necessarily an enjoyable read, but it is an important read. 

The Death Trade by Jack Higgins

The Death Trade by Jack Higgins - 336 pages

This is the 20th book in the Sean Dillon series and age is starting to show.  Dillon is a secondary character acting as support for Sara Gideon who has been coming to the forefront in the last few books.  I do give Higgins props for actually aging Dillon instead of keeping him in perpetual stasis as time marches on for the rest of the narrative like some authors.  In this book Simon Husseini, a prominent nuclear medicine researcher, has had his work twisted to further the nuclear weapons program for Iran.  Husseini is attempting to end his association with Iran who is holding his family hostage for his cooperation.  Dillon, Gideon and crew from the British secret spy network get embroiled through a series of barely credible coincidences and James Bond like moments.  I read this book to the end out of loyalty the the franchise but I think I'm ready to declare this series done for me.

Embroideries, by Marjane Satrapi

Embroideries, by Marjane Satrapi, 144 pages

This short graphic novel allows the reader to sit in with Marjane and the women of her Iranian family, as they partake of tea and talk about love, sex, and men.  Some of the stories are funny, some sound like urban legends you've already heard, and a couple are a bit sad.  Worth reading if you liked Persepolis.

Zahra's Paradise, by Amir and Khalil

Zahra's Paradise, by Amir and Khalil, 272 pages

This book is fiction, but very much based on the true events surrounding the corrupt 2009 elections and protests in Iran.  Zahra is a mother beside herself, because her 19-year old son, Mehdi, never made it back home after the election protests.  Together with her surviving son, Hassan, they explore the corruption and violence surrounding his (and many others') disappearance, along with the power of YouTube, Twitter and blogs.

This is a powerful book, and certainly sheds some light on events that many of us may have missed if we weren't paying attention to the news.  Fans of Maus or Persepolis might enjoy this- I would just stress, though, that this one is fictional.  You can read excerpts of the book at www.zahrasparadise.com