Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return Background

Persepolis 2 is the second novel written by Marjane Satrapi. It is the second of the set of her memoir and autobiography. The book contains drawings and graphics. Satrapi is a French girl born in Iran and witnessed the Islamic Revolution. She writes children books, graphic novels, and other books. The book was first published on July 1, 2001.

The novel continues Satrapi's story of leaving Iran during the Islamic Revolution to Vienna in Austria. She tries to know her identity and to decide whether Iran is really her country and if she should return to it. She makes friends and tries to understand the culture and lifestyle around her. Being alone without family or relatives, she depends on her friends. She goes back to Iran to check on her country and her family. Satrapi describes how she faces a moral dilemma and an identity crisis.

Persepolis was liked by many, especially that it is one of the few graphic memoirs ever written in history. Unlike normal autobiographies, this novel is interesting, funny, and intriguing. It earned a 4.2 out of a 5-star rating on Goodreads, and her memoir was turned into a movie. Ian, a Goodreads member, rated the book 5 stars and wrote: "To me its greatness comes from how she tells her story, and how drawn into it you become." Boris Kachka in the New York Magazine website wrote in his book review: "But for all of her humility, the simplicity of Satrapi’s work may be what makes it universal: Her cartoon icons represent the conflicted self, the veil of identity politics hiding the lonely navel-gazer within."