Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman

The complete story of Vladek Spiegelman and his wife, living and surviving in Hitler's Europe. By addressing the horror of the Holocaust through cartoons, the author captures the everyday reality of fear and is able to explore the guilt, relief and extraordinary sensation of survival - and how the children of survivors are in their own way affected by the trials of their parents. A contemporary classic of immeasurable significance.

Enjoy!!

Just waiting for this to come in at the library!

A classic. I look forward to seeing what everyone thinks about it.

I just read this in the past couple of years, so will come back when we discuss it with spoilers :)

Just put my library branch’s copy on hold. I’ll have it tomorrow afternoon when we open.

I read this a couple of years ago and was very impressed.

I didn’t realize this was a Jan group read. I borrowed Maus (but it’s not The Complete Maus) from my parents a few months ago. I’ll go ahead and read it.

Pam, it was just chosen a couple of days ago.

My husband taught this book for many years. I will try to fit it in.

Once mine comes it at the library I’ll join you all. I’m excited to read this again! It’s been a while.

(Originally posted in wrong thread). I have volume 1 ready for me at my branch. Waiting for volume 2 coming from another library branch.

The book club run by staff at my branch read this in recent years. I’ve been told everyone enjoyed it.

I'm not sure 'enjoyed' is the right word for this book.

I went to a synagogue with many survivors, this is a story that had been replayed far too many times.
I have read the first half, and found it difficult, my chest was tight. I wanted to cry, to scream at the injustices in the world. But it is a story that people should know.

People do need to know this story, and not in a glamorized or romanticized form.

Part 2 has a different mood, Jazzy.

I feel that a book can be enjoyed while still appreciating its heaviness.

Finished earlier today.

I read it some months ago. It was a good, but also a sad story.

I anticipate reading both volumes myself next week. Looking forward to the experience.

Struggles with mental illness, depression, fear, suicide, death, cruelty, imprisonment, and mass murder aren't written to enjoy, especially when they are true. This is a true story.

This book has preserved a very important part of history, and it would have been cathartic for Mr. Spiegelman to write it all down, but if you share with someone the horrors you experienced in life, I don't think your reaction should be, 'I enjoyed that'.

Spoilers

I thought how the author made each group an animal to be very powerful.

Pigs-Polish
Frogs-French
Mice-Jews
Cats-Nazis
Dogs-Americans
Ants-Gypsies

I hated when the war was over the Germans still made them march until they were liberated. That was so heartbreaking.

English is lacking sometimes when you need to say that you thought a book a worthwhile read and are glad you are read it, even though the subject was grim.
People may say "enjoyed" because another word is lacking, if you know what I mean.

I personally enjoy learning about grim topics in history as well as happy topics. I certainly am not glad the grim stuff happened to the poor people who suffered the events, but I like the learning experience. I think we will have to just agree to disagree here, Jazzy. I’ll say no more on this particular matter myself.

Perhaps you're right Rosemarie, I've lived through a few of these things and it all brought it back and the sheer ANGER, HEARTACHE, HURT, and RESENTMENT I felt was not an enjoyable experience when it was all brought up again. I still have a tremendous lump in my throat.

I am reminded of when I had just lost my husband and someone I knew said, Great! Now you can get you one of those indie boys!

Samantha, there are some humorous incidents in the book 2, as the grown up son has to deal with his father in Florida. The author does a good job combining humour with sympathy for the father's situation, and the son's.
Most of us love our parents, but they can drive you crazy at times, even though you know why their behaviour is that way.

Trust me, I know about crazy parents. I call my mom “crazy lady” all the time.

Starting volume I tonight probably. I’m looking to have both done by the end of the weekend.

I have finished these. Heartbreakingly tragic.

That was such a sad time.

There are exceedingly sad times now as well

Around the world, 70.8 million people have been forcibly displaced. That’s the most since World War II, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Most people remain displaced within their home countries, but about 25.9 million people worldwide have fled to other countries as refugees. More than half of refugees are children.

https://www.worldvision.org/refugees-...

I know what you mean, Jazzy.

I finished Volume I tonight and am blown away by the intricacies Art Spiegelman included in the books. Thus far I find the story a fascinating learning experience. Also, I tremendously appreciate the trust Vladek must’ve placed in his son to tell of his traumatic times during the war.