Perspectives

I began reading graphic novels last Spring when I took a class at SJSU that dealt with graphic novels. I must admit I was skeptical at first; I had the perception that graphic novels were just fancied up comic books and I had no desire to read about super heroes. I was soon proven very wrong.

The first graphic novel I read was Pride of Baghdad. The GN describes how a zoo in Badhdad was bombed during the beginning of the war. It is told through the eyes of a lion pride. The GN is based on a true story. The story is extremely emotional and detailed. The page layout and colors used add to the overall mood of the plot. This GN changed how I felt about GN's instantly!

I have read several sense then (Maus, Maus II, Shooting Wars, etc.) all of which are very good. Particularly Maus and Maus II! Those are must reads. They are a personal description of the Holocaust. As one can only guess they are both very emotional.

Recently I have read Persepolis. Marjane Satrapi tells her story of growing up in Iran during constant war and tyrants. This GN gives a completely new perspective of Iran people. I understand that this is one persons opinions but I could not agree with her more. The idea that a woman's hair could stimulate men is preposterous! Her school teachers were absurd. With every new change of power the school system would also change to accommodate. This meant that one year she was taught something then the next year she was taught to hate it. The GN ends with Satrapi moving to Vienna and leaving her family behind.

I really enjoyed this GN. I have found that I prefer to read non-fiction in the form of Graphic Novels. The imagery adds so much to the words and really creates a page turner. I would recommend Persepolis to anyone and really encourage people to give GN's a chance. Not all are about superheros!