Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic (2006)

Excellent, moving autobiography. Who knew a graphic novel could be so profound? ( )

If I hadn't previously read Are You My Mother, I would have rated this first novel a 5 - but it didn't have the complexity of her first - her ability to weave multiple strands of thought and perspective and psychological insight into a single frame. Nevertheless, I loved it, and admire her ability to transform such a difficult, confusing childhood into art. ( )

I can’t say enough good things about this unique book. It’s an honest, subtle, profound exploration into Bechdel’s family dynamics, and it’s worth reading more than once. ( )

I can’t say enough good things about this unique book. It’s an honest, subtle, profound exploration into Bechdel’s family dynamics, and it’s worth reading more than once. ( )

Is there anyone you know who doesn't have a lot of respect for 'comic books' and their creators? Hand them a copy of "Fun Home", and when they're finished, defy them to tell you that Alison Bechdel's story could have been rendered in any format that would possibly be more sublime than that of her graphic novel.

In fact, I'm tempted to defy anyone to give this graphic novel less than 5 stars. Go on, I dare you. Jaw-dropping illustrations that readily evoke emotion and thoughtful consideration, an arc of literary symmetry that shimmers through the family's biography, and a subject matter that would send lesser humans to a darkened corner to rock themselves and suck their thumbs. Told and drawn with humor, love, rage and dignity. Amazing.

The staggering talent of the author - in both word and illustration - is more than up to the task of telling her family's heartbreaking story. I think perhaps the word "poignant" was created for the sole purpose of describing this book. Did "poignant" exist before "Fun Home"? I'm not sure.

Definitely not a book for youngsters or the easily offended - but if you've read even the simplest of summaries regarding the book, you already knew that. Read it if you can. ( )