Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

A family biography in the form of a graphic memoir, this book is a truly amazing feat. 'Fun Home' refers to the nickname given to the funeral parlor which is the family business. It is also the wry, overarching metaphor of Bechdel's family life. Her father Bruce Bechdel is a part time English teacher as well as director of the funeral parlor. Her mother Helen is also an English teacher, yet despite their intellectual capacities both Bechdel's parents are emotionally distant and undemonstrative. Her childhood therefore plays out a constant disparity between the emotions and the intellect, a disparity which she experiences as a disturbing, unsettling mystery. It is thus her purpose to understand the implications of this mystery, whilst at the same time exploring and coming to terms with issues of sexuality, love, betrayal and secrecy. It is a brave expose of difficult personal and family relationships. A wonderful read.