Mini Review: Book Five

Maus: A Survivors Tale
by: Art Spiegelman
finished: 1.18.11


This was my very first graphic novel, recommended to me by Aaron. I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy reading it, but almost immediately, I was captivated.


This is the story of a Holocaust survivor, as told by his son. What I loved about the format was that it could be told almost completely in dialogue. Knowing that the dialogue is probably almost a direct transcription of what Art's father revealed to him throughout their many conversations makes it quite powerful. It's the closest to a complete first hand account of the Holocaust that I've ever heard (or you know, read).


I was just so shocked at all that this one man and his family went through. How he survived, I can't even imagine. It was amazing to me how much he had to do just to get an extra piece of bread, or how his ingenuity and desire to save everything may have saved his life on many occasions, just simply by thinking differently than the others. I was brought to tears a couple of times - hardly believing that this is just one man's story. That so many others were not so lucky. That people died horrible deaths through mass murder, starvation, disease, or a thousand other ways. 


The other thing I loved about this book was the honesty behind Art's relationship with his father. The two have lived very different lives, and therefore do not always understand each other, and do not always put up with each other well. I think it would have done the story a disservice if that relationship hadn't been included, if only because I think it makes the story of a son wanting to tell his father's story all the more powerful.


Anyway - even if you don't read graphic novels, I would highly recommend picking this one up. It's an important book, in my opinion.


Overall: 10/10 (what!)