The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the novel "Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return" by Marjane Satrapi. Specifically it will express my reaction to the reading. Just as with the first graphic novel by Satrapi, I had trouble with this book and its flat, one-dimensional drawings. I disliked them so much that I stopped reading and read reviews of this graphic novel, finding reviewers who found the author a "gifted" artist as well as writer. Perhaps I am missing something, but I find her drawings weak, flat, and unemotional, for me they detract from the book, rather than add to its depth and significance.
             As the author grew up and went away to school in Europe, it seemed as if her story might become more compelling than the original book, and I was right, I did seem to like the story of this book more than the previous one. I found it hard to relate to many of her experiences, such as the partying and drugs, because it seemed to shore up my initial reaction that she was privileged and more than a little spoiled. However, I understood her fears, and her worries about her body and her loneliness, and when she ended up living on the streets, I really could identify with her and her troubles.
             I grew up in Georgia (Europe) in the 1990s, and there were very hard times there, but it was home, and I had friends there. My family had to move to Moscow to try to find a better life, and I had to leave everything I knew behind. I had to make new friends, go to a new school, and leave my old life behind, and it was very hard. After a while, it got better, but I could certainly relate to Satrapi's experience in Vienna. She was alone; too, at least I had my family with me. I could feel her pain in this part of the book, I could understand her fear and her depression, and it made me more empathetic to her and her problems.
             I also understood how difficult it was when she went back home and literally gave up he...