Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
3 journalers for this copy...
Hmm... this graphic memoir was darker than I expected based on the subtitle, "A Family Tragicomic." I would say that tragedy definitely prevails over comedy here. Or perhaps that was just my own take on things?
The strength of the book lies primarily in the complexity of the portrait Bechdel paints of her father. His faults and contradictions are revealed unstintingly, which makes him seem very flawed, very human, and very relatable. After all, the people with whom we are in close relationship (including ourselves!) are ultimately paradoxes -- complex stews of good, bad, and ugly all resident in one human soul.
I would recommend this book to others, with the caveat that they expect a dark memoir, not a light read.
The strength of the book lies primarily in the complexity of the portrait Bechdel paints of her father. His faults and contradictions are revealed unstintingly, which makes him seem very flawed, very human, and very relatable. After all, the people with whom we are in close relationship (including ourselves!) are ultimately paradoxes -- complex stews of good, bad, and ugly all resident in one human soul.
I would recommend this book to others, with the caveat that they expect a dark memoir, not a light read.
Journal Entry 2 by ReallyBookish at Wishlist Tag Game, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Friday, January 15, 2016
Released 8 yrs ago (1/16/2016 UTC) at Wishlist Tag Game, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This one is going out to ciloma as part of the wishlist tag game. Enjoy!
arrived safely today. Thanks a bunch!
Like ReallyBookish, I did not find this to be comedic. Dark, definitely. Sad.
On its way to HI77
It's a ad kiss of past,
where the hole is center of
daddy dearest's eyes.
where the hole is center of
daddy dearest's eyes.
This graphic novel had a lot of positive reviews on it. So I've definitely been curious to read it. :)
And wow, it had some serious subject matter in it. It glazed over the worst it in an offhanded way that I didn't really think was great. Like a back shadow that no true light ever really touched. And I felt like the author really wanted to just focus on herself and her own struggles to the point of focus in the story was always being pulled all over the place, pretty much assuring that nothing got properly addressed among the many things going on.
Also, you can feel the immaturity of the vantage point of the author. She has not yet come into herself and had enough distance to really look at and evaluate the history and reality of her family. It is a big part of where the book falls down.
So while I think I see why she got patted on the back, for trying to tackle a serious subject, the eloquent or effective execution of that wasn't there. Trying isn't good enough, when you want to get praised and paid for it. You need to make the full leap across. Until then, you won't get my pat on the back.
I'm not up for that modern 'everybody wins' mentality. Failing is how you're forced to improve. Told you're a winner for what you haven't yet earned, only weakens you as a person and hinders your emotional and personal growth. Though, given such distant and selfish parents, the guidance was certainly not there.
And wow, it had some serious subject matter in it. It glazed over the worst it in an offhanded way that I didn't really think was great. Like a back shadow that no true light ever really touched. And I felt like the author really wanted to just focus on herself and her own struggles to the point of focus in the story was always being pulled all over the place, pretty much assuring that nothing got properly addressed among the many things going on.
Also, you can feel the immaturity of the vantage point of the author. She has not yet come into herself and had enough distance to really look at and evaluate the history and reality of her family. It is a big part of where the book falls down.
So while I think I see why she got patted on the back, for trying to tackle a serious subject, the eloquent or effective execution of that wasn't there. Trying isn't good enough, when you want to get praised and paid for it. You need to make the full leap across. Until then, you won't get my pat on the back.
I'm not up for that modern 'everybody wins' mentality. Failing is how you're forced to improve. Told you're a winner for what you haven't yet earned, only weakens you as a person and hinders your emotional and personal growth. Though, given such distant and selfish parents, the guidance was certainly not there.
