The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale
Book Review: Moving and magnificent
Summary: 4 Stars
I haven't read a graphic novel since I was about 14 or 15 years old and now I'm wondering why I ever stopped, as this one is so very good. I loved the "voice" of Vladek - so very, very Jewish, with his reversal of words within sentences. I also enjoyed the fact that each little section started with Art visiting his father and occasionally had Vladek saying something like, "But I don't want you to write that bit in your book." It made it feel all the more personal, yet making the reader one step removed from the action.
The whole animals-as-people* aspect makes it feel very Orwellian in approach, but having the story presented in cartoon pictures makes a difficult subject more accessible to the reader, in a way that we perhaps wouldn't be if it were only words on the page, or action on a screen.
The only time human faces were given to characters was during the section where Art's previous strip about his mother's suicide in the 60s. Perhaps because it's after the war and the people were no longer categorised in the same way as they were during the atrocities. I also especially liked the symbolism of the roads in Nazi-occupied Poland taking the form of a swastika - very clever!
The format definitely made it easier to read such harrowing content, but without detracting from it at all. I loved the scenes between father and son, where Art is frustrated by Vladek's constant scrimping and obstinate ways that have been caused by his past experiences. This has encouraged me to consider more graphic novels in the future - I certainly won't be discounting them, that's for sure!
* Jews were portrayed as mice (a reference to them being considered vermin by Nazi's?) and were almost identical to one another; Nazi's were therefore, naturally, cats; and gentile Poles were shown as pigs (non-Kosher). Further along we see Americans as dogs (perhaps a hound Dog?) and the Brits are fish (perhaps a reference to our love of fish and chips or us being seen as "wet fish").
Book Review: The best Graphic Novel I have read
Summary: 5 Stars
This graphic novel intertwines two stories: that of a Jewish family during the Holocaust, and a son's contemporary attempt to come to terms with his families history and the legacy it has bequeathed. At it's heart, this is the story of a father and son's relationship and their struggles to bridge the generation gap and understand one another. Meticulously drawn with awe inspiring attention to detail (different animals represent the various nationalities), Maus delivers a fresh and modern dilemma between honouring memory, and moving on from it. Frequently hilarious and always poignant, there is magic somewhere in these pictures.Book Review: Genius
Summary: 5 Stars
There's nothing much you can say about this comic book in words! The feelings you get from reading it belongs inside your heart & mind. It was so addictive I couldn't put it down. I was sad to finish it so quickly. I'm glad I read it, it's a masterpiece.Book Review: Maus
Summary: 5 Stars
There is a huge amount of holocaust literature available, lots of it well written and moving but this graphic novel packs quite a punch and is all the more engrossing because of its cartoon form.
I found it just as affecting as Primo Levi's books which is high praise indeed. I have lent this to family who, like me, found it gut wrenching but rewarding. And none of us read comics or graphic novels ever. If you don't either, make this the exception. Should be essential reading.
Book Review: More Important Than Mickey
Summary: 5 Stars
I cannot be the only person who had become jaded by Hollywood's over use of the "Holocaust" button as a short circuit to character depth and motivation. Then I read this and was moved much more than all those movies and TV dramas could ever manage.
As has been said elsewhere, overcome your reluctance to read and comic book/graphic novel and this book rewards with lifelong meaning and resonance. Clever, funny and desperately sad all at once.