This haunting graphic novel depicts the Holocaust through the eyes of Art’s father, a Polish Jew called Vladek who suffered greatly but survived the concentration camps. Starting with the meeting of his father and his mother, The Complete Maus carries their story through to the end of the horrors, juxtaposed with Art’s present-day life and struggle to appease his elderly father while recording his history before it’s too late. By using animals to represent groups of people (Nazis are cats, Jews are mice, French are frogs, and so on), the author strengthens his allegory and makes this book into an unforgettable and horrifying piece of art.
I hesistated for a few weeks before writing this review. Another review is surely excessive because I’ve seen tons out there. Still, my thoughts wanted a place, and when it comes down to it, this graphic novel hasn’t left me alone yet.
Perhaps what’s most striking about this particular tale is that Vladek is an ordinary old man. In some way, Holocaust survivors are expected to be supernaturally brave, intelligent, and in essence heroes. They are that, but they are also normal people thrust into the worst situation imaginable and forced to cope or die or both. Vladek has undoubtedly been shaped by his experience but not in the best ways. He hoards food, he hoards money, because his world is still uncertain and he knows what deprivation is like. This irritates everyone around him but the saddest part is that he is so normal. It brings home to us the fact that ordinary people were suffered and died for no reason. Vladek is startlingly like my grandpa and that makes the real story even more horrifying than it would have been without the frame. It reminds us how lucky we are, as does Art’s constant struggle with his guilt over his role in his father’s life.
As I’m sure many others have, I have heard a lot of Holocaust stories over my lifetime. I was taught about it in school, given books about it, and chose on my own to read about it on numerous occasions. That doesn’t lessen the impact of this one. Since this one is set in Poland, and there is a lot of running around and hiding before Vladek and Anya are caught, I felt it was a little different than others. The fact that it’s a graphic novel also made a difference. Even in cartoon form, seeing the wasted bodies of the mice is upsetting. The few real pictures added just make a huge impact, reminding us that these were real people.
Overall, this graphic novel is carefully crafted and deeply moving. I don’t want to say something so horrifying is “good”, because that is impossible. Rather, its power and stunning capacity to portray humanity and inhumanity through selected text and drawings makes it worth noting, remembering, and reading.
I know what you mean… With books that have been reviewed a lot I sometimes don’t really know what the point of me posting another one is… Unless I think way outside the norm.
.-= Kailana´s last blog ..The City and The City by China Mieville =-.
I have read about this book on many occasions and they all had to say the same thing. Maybe someday I will be able to get it too! This one is always on my wishlist.
Great review!
.-= Veens´s last blog ..Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger =-.
I thought these books were absolutely amazing when I read them a long time ago! The author/illustrator is now working on kids’ learn to read graphic novels.
.-= Julie P.´s last blog ..Book Club Exchange – Gerbera Daisy Mom =-.
Fantastic review I really need to read this, I have it in my TBR shelves.
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..The Kingmaking – Book Review =-.
I’ve got this book on hold from my library now. Hopefully I get it soon!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..BTT: One Question =-.
This is the very first graphic novel I ever read, and I absolutely adored it or its stunning storytelling and Spiegelman’s innovative use of the images and metaphors. Really impressive. I’m glad you liked it!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..Gearing Up! =-.
I’ve had this book on my wish list for a while. It sounds like such an important book.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Willow =-.
That was a really beautiful review. I haven’t yet read this book, and surprisingly, don’t know much about it besides the obvious. I think this is something I would like to read, it sounds deeply moving.
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson – 608 pgs =-.
Beautiful review, Meghan. I’ve had this book in my list of books I want to read for quite a while now.
.-= Belle´s last blog ..Incoming! Books About Words =-.
Great review! This book is on the top of my to-buy list!
.-= Melody´s last blog ..Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi =-.
I currently have a copy of this from the library and psyching myself up to read it; I know that I have to be in the right emotional state to read it.
.-= Claire (Paperback_Reader)´s last blog ..Persephone Biannually =-.
Very well said! I read the first in the series about a year ago and have been thinking about it since. Definitely need to finish reading them all, though I know how much they’re going to get to me! I cried after finishing the first one, reading it all in one sitting. Very powerful, important books — and the fact that they’re graphic novels really makes them stand out!
.-= Meg´s last blog ..Books my future kids will read (whether they like it or NOT) =-.
I love your way of describing how this is such a good book. I have those hesitations, too, when writing about something like this–even saying I loved it (which I did love this book). Glad this one struck a powerful chord with you, too.
.-= Trish´s last blog ..Fingersmith – Sarah Waters =-.
I know just what you mean about not wanting to call a book like this “good.” I run into that problem whenever I read something with similar subject matter. I usually think of books in terms of whether or not they’re enjoyable, and books like this one certainly aren’t – but at the same time, they’re powerful and worth reading. It’s not that they aren’t good, it’s just that the terminology becomes problematic.
.-= Memory´s last blog ..Read-A-Thon Hour 8: My Book Buddy =-.
I have the same problem saying a book is good or that I loved it or I enjoyed it when it deals with such a terrible subject matter. This one sounds worth reading. I hope it’s okay that I’ve linked to this post on War Through the Generations.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday for October 26 =-.
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