When I was in college a professor assigned the book "MAUS" for us to read. I think it was the first graphic novel that I'd ever picked up out of a comic shop. I didn't really know what to expect other than an easy A. The A wasn't easy and MAUS changed my perceptions of what a comic book / graphic novel could be. Our next assignment was Barefoot Gen; I knew by then that it wouldn't be a fluff book.
After that class I've always looked for graphic novels that really push the envelope. Comic Books tend to have sameness to them, enjoyable but there is a stereotypical sameness. People don't call them "men in tights" for no reason. A recent Pod cast (I forgot who actually) mentioned Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel affectionately so I picked it up.
"Fun Home" is an autobiography that centers on Alison's growing up and the issues within her family. Her mother seems to have given up. Alison's father is home obsessed; Better Homes & Gardens would blush. Her siblings are present. Everyone in the Bechdel family is doing their own thing; their worlds rarely cross except for breakfast. At first the dark tone started to make me regret this purchase, but after a few pages it doesn't seem so dark. I guess when your standard is depressing even the little flecks of humor. But those flecks stick and "Fun Home" actually becomes a kind of sober, fun book. I was equally impressed by the way that Alison discusses gay themes without coming across as preachy or titillating. The storyline of sexual orientation is handled with respect and done well. It's central to the book, but not in a butch-beat-to-the-head sort of way.
One of the great themes of "Fun Home" is the baton hand-off between two generations. Alison Bechdel and her father are two distinct generations, but similar in ways only a father and daughter can be. I think for this one point, "Fun Home" is a massive achievement and reaches a high standard in comic book storytelling. It's a rare book that will resonate with you for years to come, truly deserving a place on your shelf.
For anyone unfamiliar with graphic novels, "Fun Home" is a great starting out point. A very accessible book, Bechdel's autobiography will dispel all stereotypes that you may have of the medium and maybe people. When done well, the mix of art and prose can give you an experience that no painting or novel can. "Fun Home" is done very well.
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