Maus I and II by Art Spiegelman

The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The atrocities of the Holocaust and the effect of witnessing such horror are brought into stark detail by this graphic novel. It has such terror concealed in each brief comic strip cell.

The format of the book has been part of its unintended fame. How the author decided to pursue the Holocaust in his art form is made clear through the very intimate portrayal of his family's history. It can best be described as a journey into his parent's past as he tries to reconcile those with the events of his own life. By creating a comic world of cats and mice, the story is set; but the choice of creature to represent each culture seems to fally away as the story progresses.

The author's exploration of his father's and mother's past, losses, and ultimate survival is a testament to the devastation an event like this can have on generations of a family. How this grim chapter in human history is visited upon the minutiae of the Spiegelmans' every day life is etched in black and white graphic detail. Art Spiegelman does not mince words, nor even seem to respect his father in their daily dealings as his father ages. Yet, how their relationship evolves and how Art comes to realize his own heritage of proud survival is a journey from horrors of the past to hope for the future.

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