Maus I: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman

Spiegelman, A. (1973). Maus I: a survivor’s tale. New York: Random House.
ISBN 0-394-74723-2
159 pgs
Format: Book
Genre: Biography
Classification: Non-fiction
Age level: Young Adult

Reader's annotation
Maus tells the true story of the experiences of a family of wealthy Jews in Poland during World War II. Presented in the form of a graphic novel, Jews are depicted as mice and they are slowly cornered and hunted by Germans soldiers, who are drawn as cats.

Summary
The author, Art Spiegelman, takes inspiration from his father’s personal history to craft an extremely moving graphic novel about his family’s experiences as Jews living in Poland during World War II and their subsequent emigration to Rego Park, Queens, in New York City. In the story, Jews are depicted as mice and Nazi soldiers are drawn as cats. Art Spiegelman’s father, Vladek Spiegelman, recounts his youth through a series of interviews and we see him as a handsome bachelor, courting his wife Anja, his service in the army, and his time served in a POW camp. The depersonalized appearance of the characters makes it possible to tell this very personal and heartbreaking story in an objective manner. It’s a story of unbearable loss and also one of survival that combines elements of adventure, suspense and history.

Notes
Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale is an emotionally heavy story made bearable by it’s clever and skillful presentation as a graphic novel. It would appeal to teen readers and provides interesting personal insight into European history.

Awards and honors
Pulitzer Prize, 1992

Series title:
Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale (1973)
Maus II: And Here My Troubles Began