MAUS December 29, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, Nonfiction.Tags: Art Spiegelman, MAUS
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—4.5—
I just finished MAUS: A Survivor’s Taleby Art Spiegelman. It was in two parts; the first: My Father Bleeds History, the second: Here My Troubles Began. MAUS is a graphic novel telling the story of the author’s father’s survival of the Holocaust. It is also the tale of Spiegelman’s strained relationship with his father, and his attempt to come to terms with his dad, himself, and the truths of the Holocaust.
In the books mice are Jews, pigs are Poles, and cats (of course) are Nazi’s. It takes the older Spiegelman from rich factory owner, to a Jewish ghetto, to Auschwitz, and home. I found it very different to read a story with pictures, but they are expressive and startling. I loved the dynamics of the two stories intertwining, one from the war and one from the present. MAUS won the 1992 Pulitzer, and it is one of the best books I read this year.
4.5/5
Hi Sadie,
I too just read this book recently and totally agree with you, this was one of the best books I read in a while. However, this book had a personal affect on me as well – my grandmother is an Auschwitz survivor (where she lost both her parents).
Hey Malka. Thanks for reading my review. I’m glad you enjoyed MAUS as much as I did. It was something I wouldn’t have normally picked up, but I’m so glad I did. It was very powerful and insightful.
[...] Mary Karr (1995) 5. American Pastoral, Philip Roth (1997) 6. Mystic River, Dennis Lehane (2001) 7. Maus, Art Spiegelman (1986/1991) 8. Selected Stories, Alice Munro (1996) 9. Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier (1997) 10. The Wind-Up [...]