This is the story of the death/suicide of Marjane Satrapi’s great uncle. He was a musician, but after his wife broke his tar (a stringed instrument) he lost the will to live, and died 8 days later. Most of the book focuses on these 8 days, and contains lots of flashbacks and sidestories about his family. There’s a troubling one about his youngest son, who grows up to have a family that moves to America and has weight problems.
Satrapi still hasn’t matched her first book, Persepolis—even it’s sequel felt less precious. This book is not quite as engaging as Embroideries, but I really enjoy her simple art and storytelling style.