Maus

Maus is a story that if it were portrayed in a realistic manner it would not work. It would look like another history book with haunting images of the atrocities that took place during the Holocaust. Maus is a prime example of one of the lessons in Understanding Comics. If it was drawn in a realistic manner it wouldn't be the same it would be to brutal to watch but with these simplistic drawings and great characters it is in a way more relatable. The story by itself is very tragic and emotional. What Vladek and his family went through is something that no human should go through but with Art Spellman’s illustrations we can read the story all the way through without putting the book down. The depiction of the cat and mouse with the Jews and Nazis is a great aspect. Showing two animals that do not like each other to depict some of the most hate relationships between humans was a nice way of showing hatred with out going to graphic or violent. This helps too mainly wit Arts style and the fact that if you saw these acts of violence between two humans I feel it would be too much for the reader. Art is able to share his fathers story in a way were everyone could view it and know about the horrible things that happened to the Jews in World War II. I feel this is the most affective book ever done about the holocaust for the simple fact that almost everyone can read. Yes there are things in this story that may be too much for younger readers but the images are not brutal or meant to strike fear into the viewer. This is a graphic novel the drawings are cartoons but they are as affective as photos from the holocaust because they show the atrocities that occurred but kids in school can view this without feeling sick to their stomach. This is not the PG version of the Holocaust all the detail about these events are there but the style allows people to view this as a moving experience. This graphic novel is a great read and the images tie beautifully with the script overall this book depicts the Holocaust in a way no history book can. It brings you inside the lives of the people that experienced these horrible acts on human life. Maus is a book that will be read forever and it will let everyone who doubts that this did happen and it should never be forgotten. Overall Maus is one of those graphic novels that really affects you on an emotional level it is more than just a comic it is a book that everyone should read whether you are a comic lover or not. This book changed the way people look at graphic novels. It is taught in high schools and it is sold in bookstores Maus made the graphic novel what it is today.