Something about the cover of Fun Home: A Family Tragicomedy looked familiar when I picked it up at the library the other day - I think even from the cover illustration, I recognized Alison Bechdel's drawing style. Bechdel draws the comic Dykes to Watch Out For, which I've enjoyed in copies of Funny Times that my dad always seems to have around. This is kind of a sneaky book, though - it looks like a standard sized fiction book, but actually is a graphic novel. I'm not a big graphic novel fan; my experience with them is pretty much limited to Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. (Which was great, by the way - Gaiman is such a great storyteller. Anyway...) I REALLY enjoyed this. Bechdel's writing is heart-wrenchingly honest, slyly funny, and deeply literate. Her artwork is her own style, which meshes well with her writing and lends more texture and nuance to the story she's telling. Oh, the story - basically, this is a biography of her family; her fathers' death and her coming to terms with her sexuality. Tragicomedy is a great description. Here's the highest praise: I read this in two sittings - only put it down to fall asleep on the couch, and finished it when I woke up in the morning. Felt a little drained when I finished it, too. Great book.
Book 29
2 comments:
I really like how YOU write- almost everything you review I want to read, even if it's not something I'd normally pick up. I think if the author read what you wrote here, she'd be flattered. :) I'm tellin' ya, Librarian's Choice... :)
Wow, coincidentally, someone gave me a copy of this book (not sure why) as a gift last year. Considering that I'm not into graphic novels either, pretty remarkable that we both stumbled across it. Started it, couldn't get into it, gave it away. Different strokes I guess.
Marc
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