This is the first of two graphic memoirs focused on Spiegelman’s father, a Holocaust survivor. This volume is primarily about Art’s difficult relationship with this elderly man whose past and present are filled with fascinating details that Art has difficulty processing. The untimely death of Art’s mother and his own emotional breakdown don’t make it any easier. This is serious stuff, and an excellent example of the adult side of comic book literature. Spiegelman’s book combines pictures and text to create layer upon layer of meaning that neither medium could provide alone. ( )

Like any recount of the Holocaust, this story was both horrifying and heart-wrenching. There are two stories that occur simultaneously here. The first is Artie wrenching the story from his father, Vladek, over an unknown span of time. The second story, of course, is Vladek's life during the Holocaust. The story is told a bit differently, though. This a low brow graphic novel, not some artsy film or memoir. Spiegelman shows us the things his father experienced in a raw, gritty manner. The Jews are portrayed as mice and the Germans, their predators, are cats. I found this interesting. He stripped away the humanity and made the Jews, as thought of by Hitler, literally vermin. To the German cat, there was the American dog and the Polish pig. I think there are many meanings one can take from the nationalities being portrayed as animals. Is it just human nature to constantly torture each other? Were we just being our instinctual, animalistic selves? Or is this just a way to bring the Holocaust to a younger generation? Did Spiegelman just want to appeal to a younger audience and make the Holocaust easier for them to understand?

The story itself isn't new. Most people are familiar with what went on and I don't feel like retelling it here. This graphic novel shows how the horrors that went on then affect us now. It shows how Vladek was affected because of the war, both his physical and his mental health. He suffers physically because of the torture he endured, but he also became a miser. He had nothing for so long that, it's almost become physically painful for him to throw anything away.

It's an interesting take on a familiar subject. It's also a quick, powerful read that I highly recommend for everyone. ( )

From Follett Titlewave:

Keeler, Rita G. "Maus: A Survivor's Tale (Book Review)." School Library Journal (1987) 20 Nov. 2009

(http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID...) ( )

One of the best accounts of the Holocaust I've ever read. A genius way to present the story as well. ( )

Vladek Spiegelman's tale of surviving the Holocaust was written by his son, Art, through unique comic graphics depicting the Jews as mice, the Germans cats, the Poles pigs, the French frogs, and the Americans dogs. The book is told in the form of Art interviewing his father, Vladek.

A Holocaust story is heartbreaking no matter how it is told and comic form does not change that fact. Vladek's story is very familiar, yet it still has its own nuances. Understandably so, the aftermath of such terror is ingrained in his being, thus affecting his relationships.

This was another positive experience in graphic novels for me, however, I was distracted by the characters. I understand the use of such characters and they may have added an aspect to the story that wouldn't be achieved by using something else, but I still would have preferred people. Vladek's relationships are edgy and somewhat awkward to watch. That certainly attests to Art's ability to convey his thoughts through comics and a few words. (4.25/5)

Originally posted on: Thoughts of Joy ( )