From the Bookshelf of Bloggers Unite™ …

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

Alison Bechdel

Start date: September 1, 2010

Finish date: September 30, 2010

Discussion: Bloggers Unite Book Club

Why we're reading this: September 2010 - Bloggers Unite Book Club Selection
[close] September 2010 - Bloggers Unite Book Club Selection

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 7 topics — 104 comments total

Bloggers Unite Book Club

Bloggers Unite Book Club Rules & Guidelines
By Bobbie · 3 posts · 113 views

last updated Apr 17, 2015 06:23AM

A Great Book Review!
By Karen · 1 post · 13 views

last updated Mar 10, 2015 11:48AM

What Members Thought

Sep 12, 2008 Angel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: graphic_novels_and_comics, glbtq

This has to be one of the best books I have read this year. Alison Bechdel's autobiographical narrative of her coming of age, dealing with her coming out as a lesbian as well as her relationship with her father is an excellent work. The work has some humor, and it is also very moving at times. The art does an excellent job of going along with a narrative that draws on classical literature to build the story. In one way, it makes you want to go out and read some of the books mentioned in this gra ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 22, 2012 Terre rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I've been a fan of Alison Bechdel's work for at least the last 20 years, probably longer.
Having learned several years ago of this book's existence, I had been dying to read it. Yesterday at a local independent booksellers, I found it in the flesh. I thought, what a great vacation read. I'm off for the next week, so I can savor this.
Was I ever wrong. First, I cannot savor Bechdel's work, because I always devour it. Finished this one less than 24 hours after I bought it.
And while her work alway ...more

Like · see review

Feb 27, 2010 Shellie (Layers of Thought) rated it really liked it

Shelves: genre-general-fiction-literature, element-graphic-novel, genre-humor-satire, element-glbt, element-dark-disfunctional, read-in-2010

Actually 4.5 stars...

Book Overview:

This is a coming of age memoir and tribute to the author’s father, told via a graphic novel. Allison Bechdel, the author/artist, pictures and writes about growing up in a small Midwest town bordering on the Appalachian mountains. It is set during the 1970s and 80s where her intellectual parents (father is a high school English teacher and runs a funeral home, mother is an actress and writer) have a subtly cool and conflicted relationship. As she comes into her Actually 4.5 stars...

Book Overview:

This is a coming of age memoir and tribute to the author’s father, told via a graphic novel. Allison Bechdel, the author/artist, pictures and writes about growing up in a small Midwest town bordering on the Appalachian mountains. It is set during the 1970s and 80s where her intellectual parents (father is a high school English teacher and runs a funeral home, mother is an actress and writer) have a subtly cool and conflicted relationship. As she comes into her own sexual awareness she also realizes her father’s inclinations. All the while the author blends her memories with the classic literature which has defined her life, her relationship(s), and memories of her father.

My Thoughts:

This is a wonderful, sad, and yet darkly funny period piece. She metaphorically links many aspects of her life within the book. She also layers it with fun, interesting, and sad icons from the times. A few examples that stick out in my memory for the 1970’s are Nixon’s fall from grace, Life cereal, and Road Runner cartoons. As well as a few from the 80’s - clove cigarettes, home made bongs, and Alan Parson’s Eye in the Sky album. I imagine anyone growing up during these times, like myself, will love these referenced bits in the background of her drawings. I laughed and reminisced.

Her drawings are in black and white and are realistic and balanced. Her language is complex and thoughtful, although, at times, obscure and esoteric. It does however make you think. A wonderful example of the former is where she aptly describes her observations of a male gay community as a “display of cosmetic masculinity” (pp 190) with a few subtle yet definable pictures.

The “big picture” thought about this memoir and what makes is so good is that it condenses a major realization for children coming of age – regardless of sexual orientation. It is essentially that as children, our parents are gods in our little worlds. As young adults we can see them as demons. But to become adults there is a need to see our parents as they truly are – human, with all their faults and quirky foibles. It is with this reconciliation that we pass over the border from child to adult and can become emotionally whole. As Allison examines her conflicted feelings toward her father with realism, she eventually moves toward this awareness. It is here that I cried, which I rarely do.

This is my first graphic novel. Since I am a very visually oriented person this type of literature suits me well. As well, because of the parallels with myself and the author’s life, I was immersed. I loved this book and rated it 4.5 stars. I am looking forward to reading some of her more fantastical graphic novels.

I would recommend this book for adults, due to some light sexual referencing and pictures. And specifically to those whom came of age in the 1970’s. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 08, 2008 Tattered Cover Book Store added it

Shelves: challenged-or-banned-books

This book is on the bibliography of books challenged, restricted, removed or banned in 2007-2008 put out by Robert P. Doyle and the American Library Association. More info at http://www.ila.org/pdf/2008banned.pdf ...more

Like · see review