Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

I chose this for my bookclub to read as an example of a graphic novel, none of us ever having read one before. I quickly realised that this was a memoir which made it even more interesting.From the start there are pointers that her life is developing into a tragic tale. We are left in no doubt that her father was a complicated man with many internal torments.The language is rich and luxurious with the great use of some unusual words (one or two even had me looking up definitions).I've now read a few graphic books and think this book is put together brilliantly. The words and pictures both add to each other. There is great detail in the graphics as well, many of which add more to the story than the words can alone.There is much tragedy but it is related in a blackly humorous way (man times crossing back and forward the line between comedy and tragedy).The narrative sections break into four types: the overall story telling, dialogue in speech bubbles, occasional explanatory notes and labels highlighting an element of a drawing.Essentially the book is about a father and daughter relationship. They struggle to come to terms with their differences whilst refusing to acknowledge their obvious similarities. Much of the commonality is around literature and the arts, leading to a few points where the author relies too heavily on literary references. However, I very much liked the reliance on the artistic talents in the family, particularly the mother's acting which allows her to step away from her real world.What strikes me most about this book is the depth of emotion that is written into every, carefully chosen, word. It can be a cliche to say that the process of writing is cathartic but, with this book, that feels appropriate.

I've just finished this beautiful graphic novel. It's an inspiring read that's so incredibly well crafted and carefully illustrated, every flick of her pen tells a part of the story, every word placed as precisely as her father would each item in their home.She was a literature student, so if you're a literature buff you will probably enjoy a lot of references that likely went straight over my head. I'm guessing there was probably a lot deeper thematic references I'm missing not actually being as well read as I'd like to be.But even if you aren't a literary buff, it's a story that takes you on an proper journey and by the end of it my heart is with hers and I feel the beauty of the pain from which she writes, without ever screaming about. Couldn't recommend it more.

In this graphic novel, the presence of various archives initiated by Bechdel, helps draw the readers mind in singularity with the narrator's plot. Newspapers, maps, photographs, books (literature), diary entries, dictionaries and letters are all designed to situate the narrative in accordance to Allison and her perspective of Mr. Bechdel (her father). The hand drawn maps indicate the proximity of her father's life line to his unavoidable predicaments. The map in "The wind in the willows" and the actual map of "Beech Creek" suggests that this story is almost completely based on fiction with jarring facts on the peripheries. The letters between Allison and her father also show the complex relationship they had, often tainted heavily with literary content, not ignoring the subliminal messages they both try to convey. Other examples like the frequent denotative inclusions of the dictionary "printscreen", makes the narrative contemporary because its helps readers to question their own understanding of terms and encourage us to reread such definitions.The line between fact and fiction is often blurred, amounting to a hybrid narrative where the actual story gets written on a piece of literary work. Allison herself admits that "The line that dad drew between reality and fiction was indeed a blurry one. To understand this, one had only to enter his library" (pg.59). The reliability of Bechdel in using examples from "The Great Gatsby", "Fitzgerald" and "Ulysses" to name a few, may be problematic to readers who have not immersed in such literatures hence a gap in being in tandem with Allison's mind track. However, it does not completely discredit the stark similarities and comparisons to characters in the books mentioned, after all to understand Mr Bechdel, is to know his library. The sexual identity and gender expression of BOTH Allison and her father become center stage, and it is sort of a double thread being knitted into this tapestry of 'Identity Awakening'. Themes like suppression, secrecy, humiliation, conformity, liberation, bravery, are indeed a mirror image of the two charters- in total opposites. Ironic?Both of them get an almost equal narrative of sexual history. I like the way Bechdel uses Allison as the "lesbian" narrator to illustrate her own sexuality and gender expression, by intersecting the life story of her father, a closet gay, with her constant cue of "disjoined love" with him. It is an interesting chart of sexual histories, sometimes breaking stereotypes and norms, but also sometimes reinforces causal theories of homosexuality- Bruce's molestation.

This is the best graphic novel i've ever red. Illustration and storytelling at it's best. Alison Bechdel draws inspiration from her childhood and her relationship with her father. It's a story filled with honesty, emotional depth, literature mentions and wit. If i was a native English speaker i could write pages after pages why this book is a must read. But i am not and all i can say is read it! Make yourself a favor :)A+++++++++

Beautifully illustrated graphic novel dealing with potentially traumatic childhood and young LGBTQ adulthood in sensitive and fascinating way - something to treasure.

Alison Bechdel's story is so beautifully touching. The comic memoir is a unique take on her life and gives you a real insight to the troubles her childhood held.I bought it after discovering the musical of the same name and it is a great addition to the information I had gained through experiencing the musical.Perfect for Bechdel fans and theatre fans alike!

This is a book about sexuality. The dynamic - of gay and lesbian father/daughter, dressed in repression and housed in a literally funereal setting - is entirely original and intriguing. The drawing (particularly the edits and zooms) works very well with the subject matter. The work, however, is tinged with a self-absorption that detracts from any more universal message. It feels somewhat one-sided.

Beautifully told, moving story. Bought this second copy as a gift, was well received.

A friend read this recently and I thought I'd give it a try. I enjoyed it quite a lot, from the many literary snippets, many of which I did not know, to the very real descriptions of a difficult family life. Even though this is a graphic novel, I had no illusions that this was a children's book, unlike many of the reviewers here who give this book one star. C'mon, folks. Really? As to the person who was offended that this was on Duke's reading list, another "c'mon", y'all. Duke is a big kids university. Not a playschool. I am a Duke grad myself, and was always encouraged to think for myself. So sad that parents these days expect a university to mold their 'child' like they would. Why let them get an education at all, then? Sheesh.

Arrived quickly.

It’s poetic and brutally honest at the same time. I enjoyed my time with this memoir and feel that I have gotten to know the author better whilst reading.

É impressionante porque é ao mesmo tempo uma narrativa familiar muito íntima mas uma análise em alguns momentos até bem imparcial de uma pessoa tão próxima como o próprio pai. A arte é incrível, a narrativa é brilhante e se você tem problemas com seu pai você provavelmente vai chorar algumas vezes.