Maus by Art Spiegelman

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: graphic novel biography

Maus is a true story about Vladek Spiegelman, a Polish Jewish Holocaust Survivor. This book (written by his son, Art Spiegelman), tells the story of Vladek's experiences as a Jewish person during the Holocaust. From near death experiences, to emotional heartbreak, Vladek endured a tremendous amount of trauma, and is sharing his story through this book. The comic depicts different people as different animals, which is interesting. Jews are depicted as mice, and German Nazis are depicted as cats (cat hunts mice). There are also other animals depicted such as pigs (non-Jewish Polish people).

Vladek Spiegelman - Main character, known for being resourceful, and cunning. After the war, he is depicted as deeply traumatized. Art Spiegalman - Son of Vladek, told the story about his father, he is known for cynical, and flooded with guilt for having an easier life than his parents. Anja Spiegalmen - First wife of Vladek, Art's mother, she survived the Holocaust, but later committed suicide in 1968. Mala Spiegelman - Second wife of Vladek, also a survivor of the Holocaust, she struggles with Vladek's ever-lasting trauma. Francoise Mouly - Wife of Art, what makes her interesting is that she is a French woman, who converted to Judaism.

This reminds me of Anne Frank's diary. I liked this book. I would recommend it to others because it helps teach the horror of the Nazi Regime, how it affected millions, and how it still has an impact today. The cover conveys the story very well, as it has Nazi German Swastika, a drawing of a cat (depicted as Hitler), and very frightened mice (depicted as Jews).

I think people should take the time to read this book, and really think of it's meaning.

Reviewed by Austin C.