The continuation of Maus, and subtitled And Here My Troubles Began (From Mauschwitz to the Catskills and Beyond), Maus II is every bit as outstanding as Maus, and the two books really should be read together. In this book we learn more about the end of Vladek’s life, and one of the questions that is posed from the book is:
“They were survivors, but did they really and truly survive?”
Art’s struggles with his father’s personality — made so because of the war — are clearly shown. He is very honest in his portrayal, even to the point of demonstrating his father’s own prejudices — something you would think would be non-existent in someone who had been persecuted himself.
Again, I highly recommend both books to all.
Serialized from 1973 to 1991, 127 pp.
Rating: 
LOVE love love these books. LOVE. Really. lol
I had the privilege of teaching Maus I and II in a multi-ethnic literature class as a grad student, and it was a blast. The students had a great time digging into it, playing with the symbolism, and all that other good stuff there was to chew over.
Andi, I’m really looking forward to discussing it with the Dangerously challenge participants!
I am not much of a reader of graphic novels, but I realize now that I have at least five or six. It’s a genre that’s rapidly gaining credibility. And if they were all as powerful as this, no one could ignore them. I am particularly impressed by the (dark) humor found in Maus. And it definitely improves on re-reading, too.
I’m really looking forward to reading these and glad that you suggested reading them together. There’s a collection out called “The Complete Maus” that has them all combined into one volume, so I’ll probably get that one. Sounds wonderful, important, and deeply touching. Thanks for the great thoughts!
An art teacher introduced me to Maus I years ago, but I never did read II. I really feel I ought to, now. Thanks for reminded me of them!
I feel like Maus II not only amplified the “goodness” of Maus, but also completed the story in a thoroughly satisfying way.
I read Nymeth’s reviews of these two graphic novels as well and I definitely want to read them at some point. Thanks for the recommendation!
Maus rocks. After having visited Auschwitz last month, I’m more grateful that I first read Maus before I’d been. Didn’t know that there was a book before the Maus II book i read though. Glad you brought that to my attention.
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[...] 32. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987, 275 pp.) 33. Maus I by Art Spiegelman (1986, 161 pp.) 34. Maus II by Art Spiegelman (1991, 127 pp.) 35. Keeper and Kid by Edward Hardy (2008, 294 pp.) 36. Things [...]
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