Satrapi, Marjane (1969-…), is an Iranian writer and illustrator. She became known for her graphic novel memoir, Persepolis. Persepolis was first published in France in two volumes (2000 and 2001). The two books were translated into English and published as a single volume in 2003. Persepolis became widely read for its interesting story and bold, simple black-and-white illustrations.
Persepolis takes its name from the ruined capital of Persia, an ancient land that included parts of what are now Afghanistan and Iran (see Persepolis). The graphic novel deals with Satrapi’s experiences in Tehran, Iran’s capital, during and after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. During the revolution, conservative Islamists ousted the shah (monarch) of Iran and took control of the country (see Iran (Revolution and the Islamic Republic)). Satrapi describes the shock she experienced as conservative reforms took hold in Iran, the years she spent attending a French school in Vienna, Austria, and her eventual return to Iran.
In creating Persepolis, Satrapi drew inspiration from the work of the American cartoonist Art Spiegelman. Spiegelman was the author of Maus: A Survivor’s Tale (1986-1991), a graphic novel about the Jewish experience during the Holocaust. Satrapi was inspired by Spiegelman’s storytelling approach, particularly his use of comic book-style illustrations to tell stories with serious themes.
Satrapi’s other graphic novels include Embroideries (2003) and Chicken with Plums (2004). Embroideries presents a long conversation—dealing with love and other topics—among Satrapi and her mother, aunt, grandmother, and friends. Chicken with Plums tells the story of a musician relative. Satrapi has also written several children’s books, including Ajdar (2002) and Le Soupier (The Sigh, 2004). She co-wrote and co-directed Persepolis (2007), an animated motion-picture adaptation of the book. The film received an Academy Award nomination for best animated feature.
Satrapi was born on Nov. 22, 1969, in Rasht, Iran, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Tehran. She grew up in a liberal household. Fearful that she would be punished for her liberal upbringing, her parents sent her to Vienna in 1984. She returned to Iran five years later. When she was 28, Satrapi moved to Paris, France. Satrapi earned a master’s degree in visual communications from the School of Fine Arts in Tehran at Islamic Azad University. She also studied decorative arts in Strasbourg, France.
