Books for Fans of Marjane Satrapi

Celebrated French-Iranian artist, best-selling author, and director Marjane Satrapi passed away at the age of 56. She spent most of her life and career highlighting the struggles of everyday Iranians, especially women and girls, making her a champion of women's rights for Iranians. She famously shared her story of growing up under the repressive Islamic regime in her semi-autobiographical graphic novel Persepolis. It was published in 4 volumes between the years 2000-2003, translated in 40 languages, and later adapted into an Oscar-nominated film. If you are a fan of her artistic and compelling stories, you will love the following graphic novels.

When Marjane left Iran for Paris, she discovered Art Spiegelman, who became her friend and mentor. He served as her inspiration into the craft of the graphic novel memoir. His graphic novel, Maus, depicts the author's interviews with his father, Vladek, a Polish-Jewish Holocaust survivor. It also chronicles the complicated relationship between the author and his father. This gripping tale (a former One Book, One Chicago selection) shaped how comics are viewed for all readers. 

Fun Home is also a dark and hilarious tale of complicated family relationships. It chronicles the father-daughter relationship between author Alison Bechdel and her father. Her father is a historic preservationist, a third-generation funeral home director, a high school English teacher, and an emotionally distant father. Her father dies, leaving behind a long list of secrets including his being in the closet and an encounter with a former babysitter. 

Continuing the theme of family, and memory, in graphic form is The Best We Could Do. The graphic novel starts in 2005, when author Thi Bui becomes a mother for the first time. She reflects on her family's move from war-torn Vietnam to the United States. The beautifully illustrated novel also talks about the challenges of immigration and the trauma of displacement on children. 

Though Wake Now in the Fire is considered a teen graphic novel, I had to include this for her local impact. In 2013, Persepolis was suddenly banned from classrooms at Chicago Public Schools, due to the images of torture in the novel. The principals at the schools didn't know the reasoning behind the ban. This led to student-led protests and the massive backlash that reversed the order. This graphic novel is inspired by the true-life tale of resistance, censorship, and survival told from the perspectives of the students and teachers. This exciting read is an instant bestseller. 

Have you read any graphic novels inspired by Marjane Satrapi? Let's talk about it in the comments!