Rating: 
Summary: Maus Grabs the Cheese
Review: One of the most influencial comics I have ever read. It really shows you how much more serious a comic book can be than justa few super powered heroes. Very, very entertaining. Finished both in one night. Anyone interested in writing comics should buy this book ASAP.
Rating: 
Summary: Not sure Whether to be Offended or Flattered by "Pigs"
Review: I am not so sure whether the portrayal of the Polish Christians as pigs is offensive. Poles are wrongfully portrayed in the media as anti-semitic, and although there weremany Poles who collaborated withe the Nazis, there were also many Jews, some of whom even made it into high ranks in the German Military (Field Marshal Milch). With the "Pigs", Spiegelman may be trying to say that the Poles were well-fed while the jewish "Mice" were starving. That is probably true only in certain parts of Poland, because the Poles often had to give all of their food to the Germans, while in the camps both Poles and Jews were guaranteed at least some bread. On the other hand , those of us who are familiar with George Orwell might find the portrayal of the pigs a bit flattering. Germans also referred to Poles as "Schweine". Although I am not entirely sure what I think about it, it is reasonably good and well-written.
Rating:
Summary: Please Tell the Full Story
Review: Certain parts of this book depart from historical reality, not so much by what they depict as what they omit. The reader is shown Polish Jews returning to reclaim their property after the war, with some of them being killed by the new owners of the property. The uninformed reader is not being told the full story. To begin with, let's put the killings in perspective: there were some 2,000 Jews killed out of some 300,000 who returned to reclaim their property without incident. Second, remember the times. Poland had just undergone 6 years of brutal German occupation, and, because of this, there was lawlessness. Polish gentiles killed Jews just as Jews killed gentiles. Third, the Soviet "liberators" were imposing a Communist puppet state on Poland, and Jews were on both sides of this event. On one hand, the Communist authorities incited peasants to kill the landowners, and thus Jews became victims as landowners. On the other hand, there was created a strong backlash of anti-Jewish feelings by the fact that a very disproportionate fraction of the Communists were Jews. Finally, please add my voice to those offended by the portrayal of Poles as pigs. In view of the usual anti-Polish slant of most popular Holocaust material, I find it difficult to believe that the choice of pigs as Poles was an accident.
Rating:
Summary: Please Tell the Full Story
Review: Certain parts of this comic depart from historical reality, not so much by what they depict as what they omit. The reader is shown Polish Jews returning to reclaim their property after the war, with some of them being killed by the new owners of the property. The uninformed reader is not being told the full story. To begin with, let's put the killings in perspective: there were some 2,000 Jews killed out of some 300,000 who returned to reclaim their property without incident. Second, remember the times. Poland had just undergone 6 years of brutal German occupation, and, because of this, there was lawlessness. Polish gentiles killed Jews just as Jews killed gentiles. Third, the Soviet "liberators" were imposing a Communist puppet state on Poland, and Jews were on both sides of this event. On one hand, the Communist authorities incited peasants to kill the landowners, and thus Jews became victims as landowners. On the other hand, there was created a strong backlash of anti-Jewish feelings by the fact that a very disproportionate fraction of the Communists were Jews. Finally, please add my voice to those offended by the portrayal of Poles as pigs. In view of the usual anti-Polish slant of most popular Holocaust material, I find it difficult to believe that the choice of pigs as Poles was an accident.
Rating:
Summary: Dramatic, Imaginative, and Insensitive
Review: As a Polish-American, I also find the depiction of Poles as pigs to be highly insulting. This is whether Spiegelman intended this or not. And this insult can only be heightened by the usual anti-Polish bias of most popular-level Holocaust materials. For those who do not see this, picture the following alternative cartoon: Jews as pigs being led to the slaughterhouse. Or even this: The Germans are rattlesnakes, the Poles are mongooses, and the Jews are rats. How would these alternative play out? Get the point?
Rating:
Summary: Great story
Review: Art Spiegelman's adaptation of his father's story about surviving the Holocaust.I first heard of Maus when it first came out, but never read it. That was a huge mistake on my part. I thought it would be another version of a story that I had heard before, just a little more focused on one person and using animals instead of people. I was surprised by the power of the story and not just the story of the Holocaust itself (which is extraordinary storytelling in and of itself), but also the story of father and son and the struggle that they have to connect on some level that is more than just hereditary. Most of the focus on this book has been on the Holocaust itself, but to ignore or trivialize the story of Art and Vladek is a crime in itself. Vladek is a confusing person, because he has a lot of qualities that are unlikeable but you can't help but like him. I know that he is based on an actual person, but he seems like the most "real" person I have ever read in any book. That is a testament to the talent of Art. If you appreciate great (not just good) storytelling, then this book is for you. It is frightening and touching all at once. This book is simply beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: A "softer" glimpse at humanity's darkest hour.
Review: This book, albeit set in comic book fashion, delivers a powerful message. The message that is delivered is not one that is easily picked out. Maus teaches valuable lessons of toleration, respect, love in fellow man, and preservation of the soul. After reading this for my research and thesis class, I can safely say that my percieved knowledge and familiarity with the Holocaust was redefined. This book should be required reading for anyone who is interested in History, but definitely a must for anyone in general. The subject matter is dark and heavy, but something of this nature shoud be treated in a dark and serious manner. Kudos to Mr. Spiegelman. He is an excellant writer/artist and is very deserving of the Pulitzer. I do ask that you the future reader read this book carefully and slowly, otherwise, the lessons of History could fall upon deaf ears, and we will be doomed to repeat these heinous crimes and sins yet again.
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Summary: "Maus": an important literary landmark
Review: Art Spiegelman's "Maus: A Survivor's Tale" is a unique and unforgettable work of literature. This two-volume set of book-length comics (or "graphic novels," if you prefer) tells the story of the narrator, Artie, and his father Vladek, a Holocaust survivor. "Maus" is thus an important example of both Holocaust literature and of the graphic novel. The two volumes of "Maus" are subtitled "My Father Bleeds History" and "And Here My Troubles Began"; they should be read together to get the biggest impact. Artie is a comic book artist who is trying to create art that is meaningful, not just commercial. As the two volumes of "Maus" unfold, he gradually learns the full story of his father's history as a Jewish survivor of the World War II Holocaust. There is a complex "book within the book" motif, since the main character is actually writing the book that we are reading. This self-referentiality also allows Spiegelman to get in some satiric material. The distinguishing conceit of "Maus" involves depicting the books' humanoid characters as having animal heads. All the Jews have mice heads, the Germans are cats, the Americans dogs, etc. It is a visually provocative device, although not without problematic aspects. To his credit, Spiegelman addresses some of the ambiguities of this visual device in the course of the 2 volumes. For example, Artie's wife, a Frenchwoman who converted to Judaism, wonders what kind of animal head she should have in the comic. "Maus" contains some stunning visual touches, as well as some truly painful and thought-provoking dialogue. Vladek is one of the most extraordinary characters in 20th century literature. As grim as the two books' subject matter is, there are some moments of humor and warmth. Overall, "Maus" is a profound reflection on family ties, history, memory, and the role of the artist in society.
Rating: 
Summary: A Moving Holocaust Memoir
Review: This autobiographical book explores the relationship between the author and his Holocaust surviving father. It evolves as a series of interviews between Art Spiegelman and his father Vladek for the purpose of publishing it as a graphic novel. There have certainly been accounts of the Holocaust as poignant and moving as this, but never before in graphic novel form, a medium that is constantly striving for respectability. What I found as interesting as Vladek's accounts of his experiences was the present-day relationship of Art and his father. The reader gets a lucid sense of how differently Art and Vladek perceive the world. Art grew up in America with an American sense of security and an image of the Holocaust as ancient history. He sees his father as obsessively frugal, exasperated by his father's habits (such as counting how many nails he has in a jar in his garage). Vladek lives with the ever-present memory of danger and imminent death. Even in America he cannot escape the fear that he might lose it all, and that not even the most insignificant thing must be wasted. He knows utter lack. On another level, the book explores the universal relationship between adult children and their aging parents. Art is flustered by his father's requests for Art to come over and help him fix the roof TODAY, but feels guilt if he does not go. He understands why his father insists on having him visit for an extended period but cannot stand to have the habits his father sees as extravagant cramped. In the beginning Art seems to be simply mining his father for his memories, aggravated by the mundane interruptions in the interviews. But little by little Art begins to see his father's story as more than a commodity. In summary, there are accounts of the horrors of the Holocaust more detailed and grimly illustrative than this one. The difference is that Maus goes further in its exploration of the Holocaust's generational effect. It is certainly deserving of the Pulitzer Prize.
Rating: 
Summary: Aren't Pigs a Less-Than-Kosher Choice?
Review: The choice of cats (for Germans), and mice (for Jews) does not carry any strong emotional connotations. Pigs certainly do. If this is unclear, check the dictionary. So why did Spiegelman choose pigs for Poles? I am sure that the Polish child or teen who sees this comic will be delighted to see his nationality thus depicted. Thank you, Mr. Spiegelman.
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