Cartoonist Art Spiegelman’s epic Holocaust graphic novel, Maus, was published 25 years ago. Spiegelman’s new book, MetaMaus, explores that signature work through interviews, answers to persistent questions and examples of his early drawings.
When cartoonist Art Spiegelman published his epic Holocaust graphic novel, Maus, 25 years ago, a lot changed. He received a special Pulitzer Prize and became a contributor and cover artist for the New Yorker.
Maus blends the stories of Spiegelman’s trying relationship with his father and a horrifying tale of Auschwitz, as seen through his father’s eyes. Spiegelman drew the Jews as mice and the Germans as cats.
But Maus has continued to haunt him.
MetaMaus: A Look Inside a Modern Classic, Maus is the story behind Spiegelman’s signature work, complete with interviews, answers to many persistent questions and examples of his early drawings.
"Me and my mice, we weren’t dressed for success," Spiegelman tells NPR’s Neal Conan. "Originally we assumed we would self-publish Maus. … I didn’t believe it would be read beyond … about 10,000, 15,000 people. And when it got bigger, I felt littler."
http://www.npr.org/2011/10/05/141085597/spiegelmans-metamaus-the-secrets-behind-maus?sc=tw&cc=share