Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
paperback 240 pages
published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2007
ISBN 13: 9780618871711
Type: {Commuter Read: format lends easily to starting and stopping}
Rating: {Me Likey: Enjoyable! Particularly for fans of this genre}
Why You’re Reading It:
- Harvey Pekar recommended it
- You like GLBTQ literature
- A graphic novel with a brain intrigues you
- You are already a fan of Alison Bechdel and would like to read her memoir
- You like books with shiny covers and many accolades
What I Thought:
Apparently I am on a kick with graphic novels lately (well not really, I’ve only read three in my life, but imagine one of you will point it out – so I decided to be the first to do it). To be honest, Fun Home by Alison Bechdel caught my eye because of it’s shiny cover (literally shiny, blue cover) and the large ‘TIME MAGAZINE’S #1 BOOK OF THE YEAR NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST’ across the top. Turn it over and you see a list of 23 of the most widely read publications that this book was a Best Book of the Year winner of. Open the front cover and see that it was also a national bestseller. All that before I even noticed that it was a graphic novel.
This memoir is difficult for me to review for the following reasons:
- I enjoy graphic novels (or the two I have read before this one) because they are easy to read. It’s usually a nice break from a word, rich narrative. This was not the case with this book.
- There are many references that I did not get. This is a highly literary book meaning there are many references to literature throughout, and if you haven’t read all of the books and plays that Bechdel refers to, it is easy to loose the meaning of her point. I was often in the dark and/or looking up the references. That said, I also love the fact that this included so many literary works within a literary work. And there are several books that Bechdel referenced that are now on my reading list.
- The topic of this book often feels a bit weighty for the medium it is told through: a lesbian woman’s ode (if you will) to her late father who she discovered was actually gay a few weeks before he was killed in an accident. Yet, at the same time, the illustrations helped to put me into the story and become involved in Bechdel’s family in a way I might not have if it were written as narrative only.
- I had an interesting clash of completely relating to Bechdel while at the same time being quite different from her. Our relationships with our fathers were quite different, though she captured the feeling of what it is like to loose a parent in a way that I recognized greatly.
- One of the main themes of the book is Bechdel’s sexuality. I do believe that if my self-discovery was more in line with that of the author I would have appreciated this book even more. Just as it is impossible for those who have both parents alive and well to relate to her father loss in the way that I can, it is impossible for me to relate to what it is (or was) like to come of age sexually in a world that is more open and friendly to a sexuality that is not yours.
Parents are the equivalent of celebrities in our lives whether good or bad, whether they are still around or long gone. They are who we came from, so there is a sort of god-like quality about them (for better or worse). Their not being present makes as profound a statement in our lives as when they are. The difference being that when they are gone, we spend our lives searching for them; through stories, memories, diaries, pictures, but most often in ourselves. Often, we measure time by their departure, value a recording with their voice on it as if it were the most precious historical artifact, feel rocked in our beings by a new revelation into who they were. The reminder that they are no more and “the idea that… (they are)…decomposing in a grave (is) ridiculous” to us who are still here searching for them. And, in Bechdel’s case, writing them and keeping them alive within our own stories.
Yes, I think this is a book worthy of being read with the understanding that it is not a graphic novel that you will read in one sitting, and you will need to look references up unless you have read the exact same literature as the author. I found this book intriguing and it has made me curious about a part of human culture about which, frankly, I have realized I am naive. It has already opened the door in my life for conversation and learning, and if a book has done that, then it has fulfilled its purpose.
Buy Fun Home from Powell’s for as low as $9.50 and Unputdownables gets a commission!
I’m or several minds about graphic novels, Wallace. (If that’s possible, but you know what I mean.)
I’ve only ever read two and both have been brilliant: THE ARRIVAL by Shaun Tan and BRITTEN AND BRULIGHTLY by Hannah Berry. (I’d be interested to know which other graphics you’ve read, by the way.) Despite their brilliance, I’m still not sure I like the whole idea.
THE ARRIVAL has no text, it’s a complex, beautifully illustrated book (a kind of fantasy) basically having to do with the immigrant experience. Shaun Tan is an amazing artist and story-teller.
BRITTEN AND BRULIGHTLY also has a bit of a fantasy element, though not nearly as broad as in Tan’s book. This is an unhappy story told in a very noir way. Britten is a detective hired to prove a suicide was really a murder. (I reviewed this on my blog.)
I found it difficult in the second book to follow the drawings AND read the text. It was almost like having to learn a new way of looking at things. That’s what I wasn’t so sure about. I found it clunky going at first, hence my hesitation.
But your review is so interesting, Wallace, I might just take a look at FUN HOME. An old dog can still learn new tricks…I think.
And another by the way, since you like Gay and Lesbian literature ( I do, too), I’d recommend Peter Lefcourt’s wonderful THE DREYFUS AFFAIR, if you haven’t read it already. About two baseball players, one of them married, who find themselves falling in love while their team is in a run for the pennant.Broadly funny and touching and just about perfect.
The other two graphic novels that I read were The Beats: A Graphic History and The Impostor’s Daughter: A True Memoir. The Impostor’s Daughter was my first graphic novel ever. I have liked all three of these, but have absolutely seen some on shelves that I wouldn’t pick up. I like it when the subject is interesting and the graphic novel aspect adds to the story.
I recently just saw The Arrival featured on a blog… was it yours???
I am new to the GLBTQ genre as well. Again, have only read three books (and all recently) that would fit this category. The first was Brunonia Barry’s latest book, and I actually had no idea it fit the genre when I picked it up. I have another blogging friend who reviews GLBTQ and is recommending titles to me. I am trying to expand my reading base.
I will look up The Dreyfus Affair — thanks for the rec!
I have only read one graphic novel which I loved, and Yvette happened to mention it. The Arrival by Shaun Tan. It has opened up a whole new genre for me, and I look forward to reading Fun Home. I always enjoy books that make references to other books, so this should be a fun read!!!
I’ve been wanting to read this for a variety of reasons but your review just solidified my resolve to read it pretty darn soon. Partly because I’m dealing with the loss of my own father (he died last year) and I’ve been reading books he loved to try and maintain a connection with him. It sounds like I might relate to much of this story as well.
Plus I’m a sucker for a glossy cover.
Loved your review.
Ah, Jenners, I’m so sorry about the loss of your father. That’s really hard. This book could be cathartic but also a bit sad if you feel raw. I’ll be interested in hearing iyour thoughts on it once you’ve read it.
Genuinely definitely very good website article which has got me considering. I never looked at this from your point of view.
Thank you!