Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

~by Alison Bechdel
2006 National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee
2007 ALA Stonewall Book Award Winner
2007 Eisner Award Winner

Fun Home is a wonderfully told, and beautifully presented, family memoir from Alison Bechdel, primarily known up to this point as the creator of the critically acclaimed comic strip "Dykes to Watch Out For." I was privileged with the terrific opportunity of hearing and seeing in person the author read from her book as well as talk about the process of its creation.

The memoir tells the story of growing up, of family, of coming of age, of leaving home and discovering her sexual identity, but mostly, it is a story about her relationship with her father. Her illustrations are simple, and yet elegant and add tremendously to the effectiveness of her storytelling. At times funny, and at times heart-wrenching, the book is a brilliant example of what can be accomplished using the graphic literary genre.

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Dykes to Watch Out For

~by Alison Bechdel

I was lucky enough to attend an event that Alison Bechdel was speaking at and then meet her briefly afterwards. I had never really read her strip Dykes to Watch Out For, other than a few I caught in various newspapers; after hearing her speak decided that I may as well start. She was kind enough not only to sign my newly purchased copy, but to jot down a doodle to go along with her signature. I went home and immediately devoured the first volume. Needless to say, I was very pleased with my purchase, and hope to read the following books.

This first volume offers various caricature of lesbian culture through a series of vignettes. Except for a few instances, these vignettes can stand on their own and are not tied together with any sort of plot. From relationships to the various "species" of lesbians, Dykes to Watch Out For provides an insightful, yet humorous, look into a variety of lesbian lifestyles.

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