Maus is a story drawn and written by Art Spiegelman that details his father's life as a Jew in Hitler's Europe. Vladek, Art's father, lived through time spent at Auschwitz, then a march to Gross Rosen, and finally another march it Dachau where he was eventually liberated from. Vladek eventually dies in 1982 after moving the family to New York in 1951.
The story is told through Art interviewing Vladek in his home in New York. Art starts on Maus in 1978 and the first volume is published in 1986 and the second volume in 1991.
I think that this graphic novel is pretty close to the top of the pile of the best graphic novels. I think that it really shows that graphic novels are not simply kid stuff and can hold a great meaning within it, just like normal novels. Generally I find this graphic novel in more libraries, and ones that usually don't have many graphic novels to begin with. I think this would be a fine way to start someone up with graphic novels because it is so widely acclaimed.
I think this would appeal to young adults because it is a true story of the Holocaust. It's a raw, emotional story of survival during one of history's toughest times. There is the struggle between the Jews and the Nazis, but also a father/son struggle throughout the book, which I think young adults can connect with. Vladek and Art do not have the best relationship and this is clearly shown through the plot of the book. But even through this, Art still completes the book for his father. There is also the struggle between Art and the book itself. He struggles with the subject matter and how to deal with it.
I also think that Maus clearly shows literary elements that could confuse readers when these elements are presented in a novel. The symbolism is very profound by Art making the characters different animals. The Jews are Mice, or vermin as seen through the German eyes, and the Germans are Cats. This book also clearly shows two different narratives going on at once. I think this could be a useful book to give to reluctant readers so they can have an exciting story to read and possibly understand literary elements better if they happen to be struggling.
Alan Moore, generally thought of as one of the greatest comics writer ever, has said the following about Maus:
"Since discovering his work in the mid 70's, I have been convinced that Art Spiegelman is perhaps the single most important comic creator working within the field and in my opinion Maus represents his most accomplished work to date…Intensely subjective, it manages to encompass subjects as sensitive and diverse as the holocaust on one hand and the yawning emotional gulf between parents and children on the other, all in a fashion that is at once revealing, moving and innovatory. Maus surely marks one of the high points of the comic medium to date. It is perhaps the first genuine graphic novel in recent times, and as such its significance cannot be overstated. Please read it."
Here are some links for further information and resources on Maus because a well researched title is important, especially with graphic novels:
Questions and Resources for Art Spiegelman's Maus
MAUS Study Guide
The story is told through Art interviewing Vladek in his home in New York. Art starts on Maus in 1978 and the first volume is published in 1986 and the second volume in 1991.
I think that this graphic novel is pretty close to the top of the pile of the best graphic novels. I think that it really shows that graphic novels are not simply kid stuff and can hold a great meaning within it, just like normal novels. Generally I find this graphic novel in more libraries, and ones that usually don't have many graphic novels to begin with. I think this would be a fine way to start someone up with graphic novels because it is so widely acclaimed.
I think this would appeal to young adults because it is a true story of the Holocaust. It's a raw, emotional story of survival during one of history's toughest times. There is the struggle between the Jews and the Nazis, but also a father/son struggle throughout the book, which I think young adults can connect with. Vladek and Art do not have the best relationship and this is clearly shown through the plot of the book. But even through this, Art still completes the book for his father. There is also the struggle between Art and the book itself. He struggles with the subject matter and how to deal with it.
I also think that Maus clearly shows literary elements that could confuse readers when these elements are presented in a novel. The symbolism is very profound by Art making the characters different animals. The Jews are Mice, or vermin as seen through the German eyes, and the Germans are Cats. This book also clearly shows two different narratives going on at once. I think this could be a useful book to give to reluctant readers so they can have an exciting story to read and possibly understand literary elements better if they happen to be struggling.
Alan Moore, generally thought of as one of the greatest comics writer ever, has said the following about Maus:
"Since discovering his work in the mid 70's, I have been convinced that Art Spiegelman is perhaps the single most important comic creator working within the field and in my opinion Maus represents his most accomplished work to date…Intensely subjective, it manages to encompass subjects as sensitive and diverse as the holocaust on one hand and the yawning emotional gulf between parents and children on the other, all in a fashion that is at once revealing, moving and innovatory. Maus surely marks one of the high points of the comic medium to date. It is perhaps the first genuine graphic novel in recent times, and as such its significance cannot be overstated. Please read it."
Here are some links for further information and resources on Maus because a well researched title is important, especially with graphic novels:
Questions and Resources for Art Spiegelman's Maus
MAUS Study Guide
No comments:
Post a Comment