More weight given to the medium of 'graphic novel'... (Maus: A Survivor's Tale - Art Spiegelman)

Member Name: mcader

Product:	Maus: A Survivor's Tale - Art Spiegelman
Date:	17/03/09 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sensitive and confiding

Disadvantages: None

It's quite a lengthy graphic novel, and is an account of the Holocaust, with mice representing Jews, Cats as the Nazis, Americans as dogs and Pigs as the Polish. This is a brilliant conceit, and the writer makes full and effective use of it.

This is harrowing and incredible, but very real and present and with very human, flawed characters that hit home beyond what a film or a book can do for a wide range of audience types. The illustrations aid the narrative, placing soft, engaging images and dark atmosphere into a bleak tale....It seems a very 'neat' story in places, but perhaps there is some memory allowance here. It's another important piece of historic interpretation. For a graphic novel has the power to deal with sensitive and harrowing issues, as is demonstrated by this imortant work.

It is very moving and it demonstrates how more stories could be brought to life in such a way.

Summary: A great concept realised