Embroideries (Pantheon Graphic Library)

Very light and funny. Women look on men, marriage, love. Very relatable and funny. Amazing how they from Iran and I from Ukrain can have so similar views on things

I've been a huge fan of Marjane Satrapi ever since reading and watching Persepolis. I've also read "Chicken With Plums" and loved it just as dearly. And I can finally say that I've added this stunning work to the list of books I've read. The women in this book are all remarkable storytellers and each give a unique beautiful ring to every story they tell. The stories they share are tragic, funny, sexy, and (most of all) entertaining. Do yourself a favor: if you like cozy stories about family, sex, generational love, strong women, and topped off with beautiful illustrations, pick up Embroideries. You won't regret it.

Embroideries is categorized as a memoir, though it's more like a book of short stories, told by different female characters living in Iran, done in Marjane's usual graphic novel style. Marjane and her family and a few friends are sitting down to tea to gossip after lunch while the men nap. These women relate stories about past or present relationship issues and I think that most female readers will find that they've done something similar with their own family or friends. I can't really describe the plot because each little tale has it's own - but they range from cheating husbands, old lovers, sexual experiences, marriage and more. This is definitely not a book intended for children. I found myself laughing out loud several times, especially when the women are discussing the male anatomy. As the blurb on the book says, these stories "will strike us as at once deeply familiar and profoundly different from our own" and I'm inclined to agree. I enjoyed this little book very much and would recommend it to most - as long as you have a sense of humor and don't mind people discussing sex and the naked body.

Bottom line: Not great literature, not brilliant comic book art. If you have ever wanted to be a fly on the wall when women let loose, this is it. I had not read Persopolis I or II nor have I been to the new movie Chicken with Plums. I was looking to get a taste of Iranian born Parisian Marjane Satrapi. Embroideries, in hard back $6.78, $1 less than paperback was an easy decision. It is a fast read, maybe an hour, longer if you take the time to enjoy the artwork. I liked it. One could be harsh and describe this as another "women complain about men" chick flick book. There are a growing number of books about the "secret" lives of women in Iran. This is not another anything. This book, short and simple is a good read. If we need to be technical, this is a slice of life. There is no introduction and no long back story on individuals. Almost the first thing we know is that Grandma is an opium addict. We like her this way. If something so bald and forthright does not snap you to attention, not much can. The scene is a group of women, most related; taking a tea break after serving a lunch, then cleaning up and while the men folk sleep it off- The women talk, gossip and tell secrets. Almost all are about sex and while men are usually bad, the women are also silly, overly romantic and as often victims of their own weaknesses. What elevates this book is the natural flow of the dialogue and the sense that we are fully included into this family. We are Marjane Satrapi, letting her elders and betters expose their sad stories, their funny stories, and their most personal truths. Nothing is edited. Nothing is withheld. We are among friends and trusted to keep secrets. For example `Embroideries' are not exactly what you thought they were. I wanted an easy introduction to Ms. Satrapi and her graphic novels. This one did what I needed and more.

Marjane Satrapi, who earned her fame writing the graphic novels Persepolis and Persepolis 2, continues in the genre, retelling the stories overheard from the women in her family. Reading it is like being transported to her parlor, as they gossip about the good and bad (mostly bad) of the men in their lives. The book's primary strength is Satrapi's relentless honesty in reporting what she sees. Weakness of characters as well as strength is portrayed. What is essentially a book of feminine sisterhood across generations also highlights personal fraility. That said, the brevity and shallowness of topic make this significantly less moving and worthy than either Persepolis novel.

Embroideries is a wonderfully funny graphic novel detailing the romantic lives of women in Iran. Each woman's story spans just a few pages, but touching, amusing punchlines are delivered every time. The illustrations are lively and gestural, capturing the personalities of Marjane's family and friends. The book is very relatable. It would be a good discussion starter for a book club or a parent broaching the subject of love, romance and courtship to young women. One of the more amusing stories is told by a woman who, after noticing that her middle aged husband was being distracted from her middle age self by twenty-something women, had plastic surgery that took fat from her behind and used it to perk up her breasts. He loves her new breasts - but in fact is kissing her rear!

I had read this book years ago, and the stories and illustrations still make me laugh. I ordered a copy so I could pass it on to my female friends. It is hilariously funny. I was rolling on the floor laughing. Great gift for your female friends.

"Embroideries" immediately pulls you right in to what feels like an intimate girl's night conversation. What's more interesting is that the characters are many of the same Iranian women that you have the privilege of meeting in the book "Persepolis." I felt as if I really was there with old friends and family, because Marjane has such a skill for developing her characters; so, I felt pretty connected to them from reading "Persepolis" right before reading this book. The stories are so entertaining and enlightening - it's so nice to see this side of Iranian culture and to see women who weren't afraid to go against the status quo and be so honest. The only negative thing about this book is that I literally finished it in about 30 minutes - it's very short. The way she develops a culture and its characters within such a short book is very impressive, but I was sad that it was over.

That is about it!!! An awesome reading, a serious graphic novel, comic strip about expired values of the middle East (not that our Western are much better, we need a lot of improving also)

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Soy fan de Satrapi. Esta novela con toques de humor nos vuelve a adentrar en el mundo de la mujer en una cultura musulmana. Excelente.

In a striking black and white graphic novel format, this shows a conversation between a community of Iranian women talking about the highs and lows of their relationships including a lot of abuse and manipulation at the hands of their husbands and families. Some confronting and brave stories from a range of perspectives.

This book is a must read. And a quick read! i went through it in an hour!