MAUS I:
“Maus is a book that cannot be put down, truly, even to sleep. When two of the mice speak of love, you are moved, when they suffer, you weep. Slowly through this little tale comprised of suffering, humor and life’s daily trials, you are captivated by the language of an old Eastern European family, and drawn into the gentle and mesmerizing rhythm, and when you finish Maus, you are unhappy to have left that magical world.”–Umberto Eco
“Art Spiegelman’s writing is superb.” — Rob’s Musings
MAUS II:
“Maus II: a Survivor’s Tale: And Here My Troubles Began is the sequel to Maus: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History. In Maus II, the Nazis (portrayed as cats) hunt and herd the Jews (portrayed as mice) into concentration camps where the Final Solution takes place. Told in an unusual comic-book format, Spiegelman, a cartoonist, visits his father and records his experiences in a graphic novel. Both father and son try to come to terms with what has happened, while they struggle through their own strained relationship. Through various tales, readers witness Vladek survive the brutal horrors of the Holocaust because of his physical strength, his wit, and luck. This story also relates the effects of those experiences on Vladek’s later years and the impact upon the lives of the following generations.
This complex book relates events which young adults must confront, in a format that is sure to capture their attention and interest. The narrative combines words and pictures, as well as autobiography with the father’s biography, all the while developing insights that are bigger than the characters.” — Books R4 Teens
