A graphic novel about the holocaust... I had very high expectations for this novel. My dad says this is the only comic he has ever seen he qualifies as art (my dad is like that).
I just finished it, and I must say, it was great! I expected earth shattering, which it wasn't, but it was a very well done graphic novel, with some perfectly amazing parts! I really enjoyed it!

As a Jew, holocaust stories sometimes get old and stale, but this one was kept fresh, I thought, through various techniques, including the subplots that take place as the author creates his novel.

I recommend it. Who else has read it?

As a comic fan, I'm kinda ashamed to admit that never read it...Guess that it's something I must correct as soon as possible...

It's on my list of the ten best graphic novels I've ever read. It's got such a gritty realism to it that you forget animals are used to represent the different ideals throughout the story.

Spiegelman's Maus is well worth the read.

If you liked Maus I recommend reading Craig Thompson's Blankets as well. Not the same topic but just as strong of a story. It's coming-of-age done in such a realistic manner that you feel like you're reading a book and not a comic.

Maus was actually required reading at my school, and had tons of copies in the library. Best. Assignment. Ever.

I've read it. Certainly leaves an impression.

lefarce
Maus was actually required reading at my school, and had tons of copies in the library. Best. Assignment. Ever.

Same for me; I had to read it as well as Night during our whole 10th grade Holocaust theme month. It's not the type of comic I'd usually read, but it's really well done and I thought it was good.

Hitler Mouse? What's NOT to like! I'm ordering my copy today.

Probably one of only three graphic novels (along with DKR and Watchmen) which I would call "classic"!

I put off reading Maus for a long time. The art is scratchy and crude and, being a bit long in the tooth, I felt I'd seen enough TV documentaries and films, and read enough books and articles about the Holocaust already. Also I couldn't quite bring myself to believe that a book with cats, mice and dogs as the characters could really do the subject matter justice.

I don't know what surprised me most. The fact that the characters came across as being so "human" or the fact that I actually laughed out loud in places. That a book which deals with such tragic events can be at once personal, moving and entertaining is a triumph. There are so many memorable moments.

I've always thought that Maus should be required reading in schools. I'm so glad to see from the above posts that, for some of you guys at least, it already is.

Saint
Hitler Mouse? What's NOT to like! I'm ordering my copy today.

Only the Jews were mice. :] Germans were cats, Americans were dogs, etc.

Well, to make my views more specific:
I'm not big on graphic novels. Nothing against them, I just haven't read many. (My comics obsession was started with comic strips). The only other graphic novel I've read was Watchmen, which I read this year as well. (Which of course I loved.) Looking back on Maus, a couple hours later, I thought the premise and execution was amazing, but I was expecting some more intensity in the media. Page layouts were never over the top, the whole book was very understated, which is good for a book about some horrors, In my opinion (please note: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich). I was however expecting some more intensity, perhaps once, but in retrospect if it had any it would makes the understated aspects less significant.

All in all, I did love it. The art, I thought was amazing, and just everything was generally good or better.

Maus used to be my number 1 graphic novel ever, till asterios polyp came. its still in the top 3.

My short review of Maus is "Not a feel-good read." Even as Holocaust pieces tend to go. I thought the way Vladek was shown was really interesting. Most Holocaust survivors are portrayed as simply being victims, Vladek was a victim too but he was also shown as being also very flawed-- in fact kind of an ass.
I always felt a certain ambivalence toward Vladek as a character, part of me feels sorry for all he went through and part of me hates him for how he treats people. Especially his second wife and his son.

I have browsed through it, but never read it in depth, though I really really should.

I believe the British are all fish, which apparently represents that we are a maritime bunch and also that fish are something that cats (ie nazis) would like to get but cant due to water getting in the way.

skoolmunkee

Saint
Hitler Mouse? What's NOT to like! I'm ordering my copy today.

Only the Jews were mice. :] Germans were cats, Americans were dogs, etc.

Oh man there's no way i'm buying it now.


But wait are they serious about the americans representing the Nazi's greatest foes? DOES NOBODY REMEMBER THAT BRITAIN WAS FIGHTING FOR 4 YEARS BEFORE THE AMERICANS GOT HERE.

It has been a long time since I read it, but I remember it being one of the few examples of someone using what are now called 'furry' characters to good purpose. Each group of people is represented by an animal based on cultural preconceptions at that time (and often the comic turned those around or showed their ridiculousness or futility) but also speaks a bit to their role in the story. The Nazis are cats, the hunters, and most of their opposing nations were prey animals like fish, frogs, and of course mice. The Jews were mice, which played into the preconception that they were a meek, pervasive 'vermin' race- but mice are also well adapted to hiding when hunted, surviving on scraps, and thriving in groups. Some of the Jew-mice wore masks to try to blend in with a more acceptable group. etc.

I also liked the father character... his unlikableness now was such a contrast to how he was when he was younger, it spoke very much about how people can change and why.

Bocaj
As a Jew, holocaust stories sometimes get old and stale, but this one was kept fresh, I thought, through various techniques, including the subplots that take place as the author creates his novel.

I recommend it. Who else has read it?

I live in a part of Los Angeles where there is a prominent Armenian community. The rationale for Armenians remembering their genocide is so that 1) People acknowledge that it did happen and 2) So that something that tragic never happens to a culture of people ever again.

Then of course, Hitler goes and says, "Who remembers the Armenians?" and gains some inspiration during World War II to do what he did to the Jews.

Arguments still exist that there was a genocide against the Armenians - but the education and information never ceases.

I say that to say this, do you feel this graphic novel still provides vial education on the subject, specifically as it appeals to a younger age group with "furry" characters? In fact, what would be considered a "stale" representation of the Holocaust?

I remember Maus causing a lot of controversy in Poland as we were depicted as pigs. As a result, there was a big media storm about the book and it sold pretty well, heh.

On the other hand the guy who translated the book few years earlier (a different publisher was going to do it but bailed in the end) found himself in a dangerous situation as protesters who thought the book was "anti-polish" (nevermind none of them read it THE NEWSPAPER SAID SO! ugh) have surrounded the office at which he worked.

Still, the whole affair went over and everything was fine later :D

And yes, I have read it, owned it, sold it few years ago as I needed money (and actually made some money off that as it was out of print at that point) and I'm hoping I can afford the English language original someday. Always better to read things in original versions :D

In regards to how Polish people are portrayed Vladek and Anja are sheltered by a Polish family and Anja tutored their son in learning German. That family seemed very compassionate and smart when it came to allaying the Nazis' suspicion. Of course there was the whole problem of them being portrayed as pigs so I guess I could see how that could be construed as anti-Polish.

blntmaker
In fact, what would be considered a "stale" representation of the Holocaust?

The Boy in Striped Pajamas is what comes to mind. If that movie's sole message was that the Holocaust was bad, I guess it was successful, but it did so with, to me, no interesting perspective.
Of, a wealthy German child... how interesting...
I feel that some believe the Holocaust is such an important topic, a person writing about it doesn't need subtlety. I disagree, and I thought Maus had that subtlety (even if it did, perhaps have too much of it).

I went to the only two bookstore franchises that sale comics in my country, and couldn't find a copy, neither in English or in Spanish...So I Downloaded it...

Just readed the Sheik chapter...pretty interesting so far...

Bocaj
The Boy in Striped Pajamas is what comes to mind.

I think the book.story that was based on was found out to be fake?

I'm not sure that representations about the holocaust DO get stale, I think something like that would be more a case of bad storytelling or improper perspective (which is endemic to just about anything, and not just a product of being 'about the holocaust'). It's fairly clear that as a cultural event, it's one of the most powerful (and recent) in history. Although it was more than 60 years ago, popular works about it are put out every year in the mass media and most of them are very good because it's a piece of history that needs such careful creation. I think continued production of these things will keep bringing out new aspects and new types of stories- primarily in an effort for their makers to keep things 'fresh', but also has the good result of showing the public different perspectives.

Saint
But wait are they serious about the americans representing the Nazi's greatest foes? DOES NOBODY REMEMBER THAT BRITAIN WAS FIGHTING FOR 4 YEARS BEFORE THE AMERICANS GOT HERE.

The Americans aren't really shown as the Nazis greatest foes. It's true the book does not mention the Brits and our heroic years of "standing alone" (yay, for us!) but then it's not about the war per se, but about the treatment of the Jews. The Americans are therefore included because it was they who liberated the death camp in which the main character's family was imprisoned.

In any case, at least it doesn't go the usual Hollywood route and portray us Brits as the villains!
;-)

DAJB I am fairly sure that 70% of Americans believe world war 2 was fought to liberate Ireland from the evil British Nazis.

It's cool guys we banished all our Nazis to Australia back in '97.

harkovast
DAJB I am fairly sure that 70% of Americans believe world war 2 was fought to liberate Ireland from the evil British Nazis.

Heh - only those who saw the movie version!
;-)

I had to teach World War 2 (well, and other things) to high schoolers when I was doing my student teaching. We spent a lot of time on the holocaust, which made me feel like I was being unfair.... but the truth was, it was too hard to make them give a damn whether Hitler came from Austria or Australia, while things like the holocaust were a lot more meaningful for them. I tried to teach them other things through it, but it was incredibly difficult to teach them anything about the war that wasn't a factoid or involved people dying in horrible ways.

I think that may actually have been because WWII is so.... big. People are used to 2-hour movies that sum up a neat little piece of the war and you can't really sum up all of WWII in a very good way. There was too much going on in too many places. The other part was because there was little personal connection to it. They may have had a grandpa in the war, but none of their homes were bombed, etc...

When I was in school, I thought Hitler started ww1 and ww2 was his rematch. T_T
Primary school that is.

I also thought John Wayne was a real soldier because he was in all the best war movies. I probably thought he was the president of the USA too. :)

ozoneocean
When I was in school, I thought Hitler started ww1 and ww2 was his rematch. T_T
Primary school that is.

I also thought John Wayne was a real soldier because he was in all the best war movies. I probably thought he was the president of the USA too. :)

When I was a kid, I thought that Che Guevara was a Soccer-Footbal player since he is in every Team's banner here in Latin America.

Live and learn...

When I was a kid I thought Hitler was Superman's secret identity.

ozoneocean
When I was in school, I thought Hitler started ww1 and ww2 was his rematch. T_T
Primary school that is.

I also thought John Wayne was a real soldier because he was in all the best war movies. I probably thought he was the president of the USA too. :)

You must have been an amazing child...

Saint
When I was a kid I thought Hitler was Superman's secret identity.

...

awesome.