Rating: 
Summary: A good continuation but the first volume was better executed
Review: This second 'Maus' volume completes the story that began in vol.1 . It handles the part of the war when the people where actually being put in the camps, where the first volume was about the things that happened before, up till the point where the war is over. For shock-value this is a boost. The horrors of the events in the WW II destruction camps are illustrated quite 'well', not like the (slightly) romanticized versions you find in most movies. There were no heroes in the camps, only those who died and those who survived, by any means possible. You see Vladek, Arts Spiegelman's (the writer of this book) father, taking on all kind of roles in order to grab even the slightest chances to be on the 'good' side of the camp-population. The side which is 'still of use' and won't be destroyed ... for the time being. The second storyline, that goes on at the same time (they intertwine), is the relationship between Art's father (the 'survivor') and Art. This is shown in the parts where Vladek takes a break from telling Art about the war and we get shown the 'here and now' in the time the book was researched. The war may be long over but Vladek is still carrying the legacy ... in everything he does. Both mentally as psychically Add to it that Art isn't exactly the easiest, most patient person either and you'll realize conflicts aren't rare. It isn't all good in this book though. Off course the illustrations aren't everything, but where they were enough to tell the story in the right mood in volume 1, they get rather confusing at times here. The panels don't flow into each other well either. Going from one panel to the other requires some thinking, to fill the hole Spiegelman leaves from your own memory of other parts of the book a lot of times. This doesn't exactly add to the reading experience. And the story itself is missing something as well. It's full of shock-value but the context in which it is placed misses detailing. It's as if the shock-value is mostly there only for the purpose of shock, not to add to the story (which it DID in volume 1). In conclussion it still is a pretty good book to get, if you've also read volume 1. My criticism may sound a little harsh sometimes but take into mind that criticism is based on comparing it to book 1. It's a nice diversion from most other stuff that goes around in comicdom and the fact it really happened (although it's very subjective off course) adds to the experience. So I'd say you should get book 1 ("My Father Bleeds History") and if you crave for more after that THAN get this. But if you think it's enough after book I it's nice to know that the first part alone can be read as a self-contained book as well.
Rating: 
Summary: The most powerful Holocaust narrative I've ever read
Review: Virginia says:
The Maus series is unique in that it tells one man's story of surviving the Holocaust, while also giving the reader a glimpse of how the survivor's life has been affected by the experience. This volume is the second part of the series, and while excellent, I was not as emotionally moved by it as the first part, which had me crying my eyes out. This volume seemed to devote more pages to Art and Vladek's relationship than to Vladek's story.
Rating: 
Summary: All together now -- a comic book?
Review: When I realized that the Pulitzer-prize winning book was a comic book, I nearly put it back on the shelf. Oh sure, I love comics, even "serious" ones like Asterix and Obelix. But there seemed to be something sacrilegious about writing the story of Holocaust survivors in this genre. Like walking on a grave. Or touching a Torah scroll with bare hands. So I read it once, and again. An onion, this book is an onion. You peel away one layer only to discover another, and another, and you try in vain to remember what it is that keeps you from crying when you peel an onion. There is immense pain buried here, agony. The simplicity of Spiegelman's text reminds me a little of Isaac Babel, who wrote of the horrors of the Russian revolution in just as understated a tone. No exaggeration, no padding. After all, how can you pad such awful facts? How can you exaggerate evil? MAUS is an adult book. Yet bravehearted parents could likely use it as a read-aloud with older children, if they are willing to tackle honest questions and not duck reality. It could be a family experience to remember. If the adults are well equipped with raw courage. After all, Art Spiegelman was.
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