Maus or Persepolis as a gift?

Nihilistic Lemon

Is it a good idea to give Art Spiegelmans Maus or maybe Persepolis as a birthday present to a friend? Do you think a 22 year old bright and sporty person who doesn't read too many books and probably no comics would like it or at least give it a shot? If that question is too specific what would you think of receiving a graphic novel as a birthday present?

Esh

Nihilistic Lemon wrote: »

Is it a good idea to give Art Spiegelmans Maus or maybe Persepolis as a birthday present to a friend? Do you think a 22 year old bright and sporty person who doesn't read too many books and probably no comics would like it or at least give it a shot? If that question is too specific what would you think of receiving a graphic novel as a birthday present?

I'd say Persepolis is the more accessible of the two.

Iruka

Persepolis could be a cool gift, especially if you also give her the movie, which is well done. That being said, if you have no idea if she has an interest seems a little strange. I cant speak for maus, I've never read it.

If I had to give a comic as a gift, I would probably go for something with a wide range, like the Flight anthologies.

CelestialBadger

Maus is depressing. Persepolis is heartwarming. Give Persepolis.

Zeromus

If your friend is someone who genuinely has no interest in comics (or reading in general), neither of these are good choices. I mean, unless your friend has a very strong interest in the history or culture that drives either story.

TheHopelessGamer

It really depends on your friends sensibilities, but I would vote for something more along the lines of Blankets, Peanut Butter and Jeremy's Best Book Ever, or something else along those lines with a more cartooney look, but that's just me. When you say "sporty" it makes me think she might like something simpler where she barely has to try at all to get into it.

Or Watchmen.

Nihilistic Lemon

Thanks for the answers so far, it seems like Persepolis is the better choice now.

Zeromus wrote: »

If your friend is someone who genuinely has no interest in comics (or reading in general), neither of these are good choices. I mean, unless your friend has a very strong interest in the history or culture that drives either story.

I don't have a very strong interest in history but I loved them both, so even if she has very limited interest in history and culture would Persepolis really be such a bad choice?

CelestialBadger

Nihilistic Lemon wrote: »

so even if she has very limited interest in history and culture would Persepolis really be such a bad choice?

Then she probably wouldn't like either of them.

But Persepolis is about a girl, and as well as being about the Iranian revolution is also about universal things such as pop music, and family conflict. It's also funny, and full of hope at the end. So it's probably a better choice than Maus, which is one of the bleakest things I ever read. Someone who isn't much of a thinker would probably hate it.

Why do you want to give her a comic?

Nihilistic Lemon

CelestialBadger wrote: »

Nihilistic Lemon wrote: »

so even if she has very limited interest in history and culture would Persepolis really be such a bad choice?

Then she probably wouldn't like either of them.

But Persepolis is about a girl, and as well as being about the Iranian revolution is also about universal things such as pop music, and family conflict. It's also funny, and full of hope at the end. So it's probably a better choice than Maus, which is one of the bleakest things I ever read. Someone who isn't much of a thinker would probably hate it.

Why do you want to give her a comic?

I am bad at this. I am sure she is interested in culture and history, I was just thinking even people who have a limited interest in history and culture would like Persepolis. And Maus is completely out of the picture now as my memory of it is lacking from peoples descriptions.

A comic seems like a gift she probably won't get from her other friends so I thought it would be refreshing.

Rye

I have never read a comic before in my life, and I hardly read for recreation. If I received a comic from someone for my birthday, I'd be very polite and happy about it, but I don't know if I'd ever get around to reading it.

It's essentially you trying to get her into your hobbies, rather than you celebrating and embracing her hobbies on her "special day" (quotes because some people barely care.) It's not the worst thing you could do, but it's definitely not as thoughtful as finding out what she enjoys, researching some options, and getting her something that involves her personal interest.

At 22, I would be more stressed about things (job, college, friends juggling) to pick up a brand new time-sensitive hobby.

Take what you will - this is just from my perspective.

EDIT: I saw the Persepolis movie and LOVED it.

Casual Eddy

TheHopelessGamer wrote: »

It really depends on your friends sensibilities, but I would vote for something more along the lines of Blankets, Peanut Butter and Jeremy's Best Book Ever, or something else along those lines with a more cartooney look, but that's just me. When you say "sporty" it makes me think she might like something simpler where she barely has to try at all to get into it.

Or Watchmen.

Watchmen isn't a very good my-first-comic-book. It's built on a bunch of tropes and ideas that make it helpful to have an understanding of the world of comics first. Persepolis would make a much better comic book gift, I assume, if the story is at all related to that of the movie. Maus is excellent but soul crushingly depressing and horrifying and makes a sort of awkward gift.

PolloDiablo

Rye wrote: »

I have never read a comic before in my life, and I hardly read for recreation. If I received a comic from someone for my birthday, I'd be very polite and happy about it, but I don't know if I'd ever get around to reading it.

It's essentially you trying to get her into your hobbies, rather than you celebrating and embracing her hobbies on her "special day" (quotes because some people barely care.) It's not the worst thing you could do, but it's definitely not as thoughtful as finding out what she enjoys, researching some options, and getting her something that involves her personal interest.

At 22, I would be more stressed about things (job, college, friends juggling) to pick up a brand new time-sensitive hobby.

Take what you will - this is just from my perspective.

EDIT: I saw the Persepolis movie and LOVED it.

I more agree with this. It might be best to give her a comic some other time and try to get her into them that way. If she doesn't really care about comics maybe consider something else.

Persepolis is the better choice, though. Definitely not Watchmen, that would be a debacle.

I'd give her The Filth. Always a good starter comic.

edit: Don't infract me I'm not serious about the filth, that would make it very awkward between you.

Nihilistic Lemon

I rarely read comics/graphic novels myself but I enjoyed Persepolis and I was thinking she might like it too. But yeah it's maybe being a bit pushy. I know she wants to be a cop so maybe a comic about cops? Don't know any good ones though...

Thanks for the answers, it has given me something to think about.

Noxy

Maus as a birthday present? Probably not a good idea. I read that right before thanksgiving and I had trouble allowing myself to eat anything.


I have never read Persepolis so I don't know about that.

CygnusZ

Esh wrote: »

Nihilistic Lemon wrote: »

Is it a good idea to give Art Spiegelmans Maus or maybe Persepolis as a birthday present to a friend? Do you think a 22 year old bright and sporty person who doesn't read too many books and probably no comics would like it or at least give it a shot? If that question is too specific what would you think of receiving a graphic novel as a birthday present?

I'd say Persepolis is the more accessible of the two.

Let me give you a hint about giving gifts: You're supposed to get something that the person receiving the gift would like, not something that you like.

Rye

CygnusZ wrote: »

Esh wrote: »

Nihilistic Lemon wrote: »

Is it a good idea to give Art Spiegelmans Maus or maybe Persepolis as a birthday present to a friend? Do you think a 22 year old bright and sporty person who doesn't read too many books and probably no comics would like it or at least give it a shot? If that question is too specific what would you think of receiving a graphic novel as a birthday present?

I'd say Persepolis is the more accessible of the two.

Let me give you a hint about giving gifts: You're supposed to get something that the person receiving the gift would like, not something that you like.

Or in the OPs case, trying to broaden their mind and introduce them to something they might like. It's not like he's getting her an origami kit - lots of people like reading, but don't find a lot of good material. Like I said, it's not a faux pas, it's just probably not going to floor her as much as getting her *insert cop related gift here*

TheHopelessGamer

Casual Eddy wrote: »

TheHopelessGamer wrote: »

It really depends on your friends sensibilities, but I would vote for something more along the lines of Blankets, Peanut Butter and Jeremy's Best Book Ever, or something else along those lines with a more cartooney look, but that's just me. When you say "sporty" it makes me think she might like something simpler where she barely has to try at all to get into it.

Or Watchmen.

Watchmen isn't a very good my-first-comic-book. It's built on a bunch of tropes and ideas that make it helpful to have an understanding of the world of comics first.

I'm sorry, I failed at making my last comment obviously sarcastic. I agree that Watchmen would be just a terrible idea. It was just my feeble attempt at humor.

Esh

CygnusZ wrote: »

Esh wrote: »

Nihilistic Lemon wrote: »

Is it a good idea to give Art Spiegelmans Maus or maybe Persepolis as a birthday present to a friend? Do you think a 22 year old bright and sporty person who doesn't read too many books and probably no comics would like it or at least give it a shot? If that question is too specific what would you think of receiving a graphic novel as a birthday present?

I'd say Persepolis is the more accessible of the two.

Let me give you a hint about giving gifts: You're supposed to get something that the person receiving the gift would like, not something that you like.

Here's another hint: Sometimes people like being exposed to new things.

I was only responding to the two choices the OP was offering up. Why you felt the need to respond with that (to me), I have no idea.

flowerhoney

You could get your friend the film Persepolis, which is even more accessible than the comic considering she doesn't read comics

If she likes history than both the film and the comic give great insight into the lives of persians during the revolution. My mom is Iranian and she had so many similar experiences to the the main character, including leaving the country on her own. Its very emotionally compelling

I dont read a lot either, but I would be thrilled if a friend gave me a comic related to my interests (now, granted, I'm interested in comics so....)

Stormwatcher

Maus is a better comic, but Persepolis is a better gift.
I don't know if they're the best gift options for you in this situation, though.

durandal4532

If your friend likes comics, get them a comic they will like. If they don't like comics that much, get them a comic you think they will like, and another more appropriate gift.