Irvind Garcia
English 057
Reading response #3
December 16, 2009
Dear Marjane Satrapi,
My name is Irvind Garcia and I finished reading your book Persepolis for my English class in the East Los Angeles College. The purpose of me writing this letter to you is to tell you how your book has affected my life not only emotionally but also has changed the way I see life. Before your book I had never read a graphic novel and wasn’t very interested in them and when I got Persepolis I thought it would be bad, little did I know that this book would change my life very positively. Through your book I felt myself in your position like I was part of your struggle and the war. I liked the fact that these events were real you talked about things that you went through in your life and I admire you for being so courageous. I never knew about such war in Iran as a matter of fact I was completely ignorant to customs and the culture of Iran .
It amazed me to see how intelligent you were at such a young age and I liked the fact that no matter how mature you act your innocence always showed. Through your novel I was able to embark on a new journey to a different part of the world to something I have never seen before or been through. Your experience with your uncle Anoosh made me cry because I have a uncle who I am very close to he is like my second father and felt your pain as if it was mine. I never though that a little girl could be so strong and brave in your position I would have given up hope right away I admire the way you always looked positively on life. I wonder if I will ever find myself in the situation you were in but I am thankful I have never been through such hardships because I wouldn’t be as strong as you were.
Your book reminded me of my favorite book Night by Ellie Wiesel it is about a young Jewish boy who also tells his story about the hardships and struggles he went through on the holocaust. One thing I also liked about you is your taste in music like you I am a big Iron Maiden fan! I didn’t know they were famous in Iran as well that shows how much my ignorance was towards your country. One thing that I wondered about was the restaurant “Kansas” do you know if it was based on the band named Kansas? Is it why it survived when all other places didn’t?
Marjane I would really like to thank you for writing this graphic novel not only did I get information on another country but also it made change my perspective on life. Your book changed my life,. every time I read one of your chapters I felt a deep bond with my family I wanted to hug my parents really badly. I know that many times there are people who don’t really have much yet they live their life to the fullest but there’s others who have a lot and complain because they want more thanks to you I have learned to value what I have and live my life to the fullest no matter the hardships and the struggles thank you.
Best Regards,
Irvind Garcia