When Alison Bechdel was in college, she came out to her parents as a lesbian. A few weeks later, her mother informed her that Alison's father, Bruce, was gay. And a few weeks after that, Bruce died in what was likely a freak accident, though Alison suspects it may have been suicide. Fun Home explores Alison's evolving relationship with her father, both before and after his death, as she attempts to unlock the mysteries of his life.
This memoir is told through Bechdel's detailed drawings and meticulous memoirs, discussing Bruce's life through the literary works that he loved. This is a beautiful, haunting book that opens up as many questions as it answers; it is clear by the end that Bechdel is still working through her childhood relationship to her dad and the influences it had on her early adulthood. There are some pages and panels that may not be appropriate for everyone--Bechdel is frank in her depiction and discussion of sex--though nothing is gratuitous. Otherwise, I highly recommend this memoir.
Did Bechdel's recent MacArthur Grant win prompt you to read this one? (Cause it made me want to re-read it).
ReplyDeleteEr, no...it was the fact that I found it for cheap at a secondhand book store and thought, "huh, well, I've heard good things about this." (I was actually unaware of the MacArthur grant.)
DeleteAre you implying that you *gasp* didn't read a SLPL copy?
Deletemy whole life is a lie