Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic - Alison Bechdel

Cover art from indiebound.org

Bechdel, Alison. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. $19.95 Hardback (232p) ISBN: 9780618477944.
Recommended for ages 16+.

In Fun Home Alison Bechdel examines her father’s untimely death and her relationship with him from her childhood up through her early college years. The fun home refers to the funeral home owned by her father’s family, where her father worked part-time as an undertaker and she spent many hours of her childhood. Both of Alison’s parents were English teachers and the literary references found throughout this tale seem to demonstrate the form of communication used within the home, as well as the influence of books on Alison’s life. As Alison visits her past she pokes fun at her family and their dysfunctional situation yet raw, painful emotion is a constant – a comedy with its twin tragedy nearby at all times. Alison’s story is not told in chronological order but rather jumps from an incident in childhood to a related occurrence later in life or one from her father’s younger years. This allows the reader to come to revelations in much the same manner Alison most likely did, connecting one event to another. Alison blames herself for her father’s death but in the end comes to terms with who he was as a man and what he meant to her as a father.

The graphic novel format of this book may appeal to young adults and allows Alison to capture much more detail and emotion than words could have done alone.  However, part of the charm of this title lies in the graphical pictures that draw childhood memories from adult readers.  Due to the graphic nature of several illustrations and the complex verbiage used throughout the title, this book is recommended for those 16 and older. This engaging, thoughtful memoir crosses into LGBTQ and graphic novel genres.

Awards/Honors
Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work - 2007
Publishing Triangle Judy Grahn Award - 2007
ALA Stonewall Book Award Israel Fishman Nonfiction Award - 2007
Lambda Literary Award Lesbian Memoir/Biography - 2007
National Book Critics Circle Nominee for Memoir/Autobiography  - 2006

NPR interview with Alison Bechdel: