Maus Ii- A Survivor's Tale- And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman
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Web ID: 15414562Great Read!
Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Trouble Begins by Art Spiegelman was an amazing book. It is a graphic novel about how the author's father got through the Holocaust. The twist is that in the book, people are animals. It really affects you emotionally and I would definitely recommend it. The way the author was able to show what his father went through during this time has both thrill and sorrow. Typically, graphic novels aren't my favorite, and to be honest, I came into reading the first book in this series thinking it was going to be lame and boring. I have never been so wrong in my life. Being a graphic novel added so much more to the plot and Vladek's, the author's father, story. All the art is also in black and white which most certainly also adds to the meaning. The way Spiegelman was able to show how Vladek survived Auschwitz and the horrible people he had to face was beautiful. On top of that, he goes through so many more things regarding his wife and family. He and his wife, Anja, are separated in different concentration camps which affects Vladek and the reader emotionally. As a graphic novel, I am able to see how the story goes along, and I can see the emotions Vladek feels when he has to fight to live while seeing people die. The characters in this book are almost perfect. As we read further in the book we can see how smart over a person Vladek is. We can also see that he isn't the nicest either which is the main reason why he survived. The character buildup in this novel is like no other. We can see that Artie is very interested in the story his father has to tell, but is still vulnerable to his emotions. We can see that Vladek isn't the person we thought he was at the beginning of the story and that he really did fight to stay alive. We can also see the love Anja and Vladek feel for each other. Even outside of telling the story to his son, we can still see he misses her so much even with a new wife. Also, Vladek's conflicts with other people like Yidl really added to his character. The characters in this book are very believable and make me think I am in the story too. This book made me feel so many ways from hair-raising to heartbroken. The way Vladek made it through Auschwitz while having to worry about if his wife has died yet made me feel so many emotions. At some points, like when Artie finally found someone to make sure Anja was safe and then found out she was being moved, made me feel excited for him, then sad or even angry for him. Emotionally, I had many ups and downs reading this book. Mause II is a very entertaining read, but it also helped me learn a lot about the Holocaust and the things the Jews went through. This book really helped educate me a little more about this terrible time. I highly recommend it and hope you will give it a chance.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Highly Recommend!
Maus II, by Art Spiegelman, is a graphic novel that tells the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a Jewish survivor, Vladek Spiegelman, and his son Artie Spiegelman (the author). The novel is a powerful novel that explores themes of trauma, and memory in a unique and exciting way. It is a story that speaks to the reader, and is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the Holocaust and Val’s personal experience. One of the most interesting things I found about Maus II was the graphic novel format. The illustrations, combined with the written text, create a powerful emotional impact that is difficult to achieve through a regular story. The use of animals as characters, with Jews represented as mice and Nazis as cats, adds an additional layer of personality to the story. This format allows the reader to not only understand the horrors of the Holocaust, but also to feel the emotions of Vladek in certain moments. The illustrations are also crucial in creating an emotional response, because the reader can see the fear and pain in the characters' eyes and the devastation in the landscapes illustrated. I really enjoyed reading this book since it was a graphic novel. This is yet one of my reasons for how this book affected me emotionally. Another strength of the novel is its e long-term effects of trauma on Val and families. Val's experiences in the Holocaust have deeply affected him and others, and these effects are important in his relationships with his family and in his overall demeanor. Vladek is haunted by the horrors he experienced and the trauma has left him with a sense of guilt and shame. He is distant and often difficult to understand, and this makes it hard for his son and family to connect with him. Through Vladek's story, the reader is able to understand how trauma can shape a person's entire life, and how the scars of the past can continue to affect future generations. This is very relatable because other people/readers have their own trama so some people may be able to relate. Maus II is also a powerful exploration of memory and identity. Vladek's memories of the Holocaust are hazy and disjointed, and his relationship with his son is often strained. He is haunted by the memories of the past and the guilt he feels, and this makes it difficult for him to connect with his son and family. Through these interactions, the reader is able to understand how memory can be both a blessing and a curse, and how the past can continue to shape someone's identity even many years after. The novel also deals with the theme of survival and how it can be seen in different ways. Vladek's survival is not only physical, but also emotional and mental. He had to endure the worst of humanity and the worst of human nature and he came out of it. He not only survived but also thrived, but at a cost. His son, on the other hand, is also a survivor, but in a different way. He is trying to come to terms with his father's past and his own identity as a Jewish person and a son of a Holocaust survivor. This theme of survival is something that is relatable to all readers, regardless of their background nor age. People can totally relate to this in their own situation. I love that this book is relatable in all sorts of different ways In summation, Maus II is a powerful work that uses the graphic novel format to explore themes of trauma, and memory in a unique and interesting way. Its emotional impact, its exploration of the long-term effects of trauma on individuals and families, and its examination of memory and identity make it a worthy read for anyone interested in understanding the Holocaust and its more. The novel is not just a story about the Holocaust, but a story about the human condition and how it can be affected by historical events. In my opinion this is a must read novel because it made me feel good about the book for all of these reasons.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great read.
In the book, Spiegleman interviews his father about his real experiences during WW2. The book goes into great detail about what his father saw and how it affected him. I personally really enjoyed this book, as I enjoy WW2 related media. I really liked the art style as it has a nice blend of being 'cartoonish' and eerie at the same time. One thing that some people may not like is how the book is formated, as it is similar to a comic book, but it's not really a major flaw. A quote that really sticked out to me from the book is, "This was a factory to make - one, two, three - ashes and smoke from all what came here." (Spiegelman, 70). I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys WW2 media or someone who wants to learn more about it.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Must read
This book must be read after Maus I; it continues story into the camps. Again, brilliant depiction of horrendous period of history.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
This is a nice book to read about the holocaust
Maus II - And Here My Troubles Began I found the second edition of Maus by Art Spiegelman to have just the same great mood, action and suspense as the first. While Vladek’s chilling stories from Auschwitz take place, Art and the other characters have an hectic adventure for themselves during the present day. The author, Art Spiegelman, having been told experiences directly from his father, has done a great job of making the scenes realistic but making it seem like a cartoon. This book would be great for a student wanting to take a break from standard novels but still have a good read. However, read the first edition of Maus first. I would say that the best part in Maus II is the illustrations. The drawings do a great part in creating a mood and adding to the story, providing visual clues and details. They bring the story to life with characters and settings to help you imagine Vladek’s world. The story starts getting more action towards the end of the book, with Vladek having a difficult situation both in his stories and in real life. I like how at the end everything is tied up with both Vladek’s story and in real life. Another thing I liked was the constant things happening so you won't get bored. The settings always switched and did not leave you bored. The characters, even though they have their flaws, are very likeable. Vladek, for example, is sometimes a jerk, but his persistence makes you like him. In conclusion, I found Maus II to be just as great as the original. It is a consistent story with great characters, and provides an interesting take on the holocaust.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com