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MetaMaus: A Look Inside a Modern Classic, Maus Hardcover – October 4, 2011
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In the pages of MetaMaus, Art Spiegelman re-enters the Pulitzer prize–winning Maus, the modern classic that has altered how we see literature, comics, and the Holocaust ever since it was first published twenty-five years ago.
He probes the questions that Maus most often evokes—Why the Holocaust? Why mice? Why comics?—and gives us a new and essential work about the creative process.
Compelling and intimate, MetaMaus is poised to become a classic in its own right.
- Print length300 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPantheon
- Publication dateOctober 4, 2011
- Dimensions6.71 x 1.2 x 9.4 inches
- ISBN-10037542394X
- ISBN-13978-0375423949
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Why the Holocaust? Why mice? Why comics? Spiegelman answers intelligently, articulately, and with a high degree of psychological and aesthetic penetration.” –Booklist, starred review
“As a floor plan for endless exploration, it is the Haus That “Maus” Built…Pick any page and gaze. The windows into these stories about the story are to be found at every turn, filling the space with insightful light.” –Washington Post’s Comic Riffs
“Art Spiegelman has done more than any other writer of the last few decades to change our understanding of the way stories about the Holocaust can be written…MetaMaus is a profound meditation on the meaning of sources and the uses we make of them.” –The New Republic
“A fascinating meditation on art, writing, and one of the darkest periods in human history.” –The Atlantic
“Striking…a treasure trove of material.” –Shelf Awareness
“Fascinating and often provocative…the accompanying DVD will satisfy the insatiable appetite.” –Kirkus
“Sure to breed excitement.” –Library Journal
“Mr. Spiegelman’s new book, MetaMaus, functions as a kind of artist’s scrapbook, chapbook, photo album and storage trunk. Packed with more extras than a new ‘Transformers’ DVD, it’s a look back at Maus and its complicated composition and reception…Mr. Spiegelman is a witty and testy raconteur, and Ms. Chute knows a good deal about comics and she pulls good things from him…Spiegelman is charismatic, and the photographs of him sprinkled throughout are pretty delightful.” –New York Times
“Few books have made as much impact as Maus has. MetaMaus explores this impact, as well as providing some of the original notebook material on the graphic novels…[contains] the single most powerful graphic representation of the effects of the Holocaust…If you are serious about comics or the Holocaust, this book should be on your shelf.” –San Francisco Book Review
“Spiegelman is well-spoken and insightful, and is one of those rare creators who can talk coherently about his own work and process…MetaMaus is thoroughly illustrated with excerpts from Spiegelman's sketchbook, from the original source materials he used when creating his book, and news clippings and other ephemera from the books' storied history…Gripping and smart.” –Cory Doctorow, BoingBoing
“Each page is more beautiful than the next…you’ll find yourself as engrossed in it as you were in Maus.” –Jewish Book Council Blog
“MetaMaus is an intriguing look into the guts of a massive artistic-historical project. With its visual, textual and historical components, the book untangles the tight narrative and visual knots into which the medium, the message and the process of ‘Maus’ are tied. With grist to millers of either ‘Maus,’ Spiegelman or both, it is a must-have item.” –Forward
“Like a director's commentary track, the new MetaMaus provides a kind of behind-the-scenes ‘Inside Maus’ that rewards us with insights this reviewer, for one, was too blown away to perceive the first time around…It is nothing less than a treatise on the rhythm and grammar of comics storytelling. The visual vocabulary he utilizes turns out to be more ingenious than you (or I, at least) ever suspected.” –Barnes and Noble review
“MetaMaus will leave even the most ardent admirers of Maus newly in awe of its author's creative courage, ingenuity and stamina.” –San Francisco Chronicle
“When I heard that Pantheon was putting out a commemorative book, I kept forgetting what it was called: was it MegaMaus or MetaMaus? The book, MetaMaus, published this month, is actually both: mega meta…If Maus has been a touchstone for you over the last decades, you have a new way to understand this moving and revolutionary book.” –Studio 360 “Staff Pick”
“If you love Maus, this is the book for you; it’s practically a must-have.” –Comic Book Bin
“What do you get for the classic graphic novel that has everything? MetaMaus is the answer… It’s an amazing package, one certainly worthy of awards consideration.” –Comics Waiting Room
“MetaMaus is so much more than a companion; it is a true work of genius art and design…This is a companion in the truest terms, a work of art that leaves no stone unturned, or allows for any doubt or question, and for casual readers of the Pulitzer winning book to the most intense of academics or comic book aficionados, it’s a real boon.” –ComicBuzz.com
“The three longest chapters provide nuanced and richly illustrated answers to the questions every reader has probably asked: "Why the Holocaust?" "Why mice?" and "Why comics?" Chute is a skilled and knowledgeable interviewer, Spiegelman a witty, introspective subject, so the process yields insightful observations on the nature of comics, the relationship between reality and narrative, the dynamics of families, and the Holocaust itself.” –Minneapolis Star-Tribune
“a beautiful book, both in visuals and themes, as the writer and artist is interviewed by Hillary Chute about the book that will not die, that he cannot escape, that he wishes would’ve been discovered only after 25 years after his death instead of being talked about for 25 years straight…mind-blowing.” –Bookgasm.com
“A rich, provocative and visually intriguing work of art, memoir and literary history…eye-catching and highly kinetic…a rare opportunity to witness for ourselves how a masterpiece is conceived and comes into existence.” –Jewish Journal gift guide
“A treasure trove, a wonderful way to dive as deeply into this seminal work as you wish…Maus is one of the very few [books] that can live up to this scrutiny, where the creation is strong enough and so thematically rich as to stand up to the examination, and the artist still has new insight to provide.” –ComicsWorthReading.com
“A truly inspiring look at the creative process.” –Forces of Geek Holiday Gift Guide
“For the past sixty years, Holocaust survivors have expressed their stories in writing. However, few have revolutionized the way people looked at the Holocaust as much as Maus. In his new autobiography, MetaMaus, Spiegelman takes the reader through the inception, process, and completion of his innovative graphic narrative...perhaps the most enchanting and captivating part of this autobiography is the artwork that enhances each page. The book is filled with Spiegelman’s rough sketches, inspirations, previous work, and even family photos.” –Jewish Book World
“A fascinating look into how art and history are made.” –Sacramento News & Review
“I found myself repeatedly surprised, even shocked, by new information regarding a book I felt pretty confident I knew a lot about already…If anyone wants to argue about the ideal form of books about comics, I think Spiegelman has offered a hell of an opening argument with MetaMaus.” –Comic Book Resources
“I found myself repeatedly surprised, even shocked, by new information regarding a book I felt pretty confident I knew a lot about already…If anyone wants to argue about the ideal form of books about comics, I think Spiegelman has offered a hell of an opening argument with MetaMaus.” –Comic Book Resources
“At the risk of ruffling Donald's feathers, it could be argued that Maus, Art Spiegelman's aching Holocaust tale, is as compelling a comics creation as the best of Mickey. MetaMaus details the back story and making of Spiegelman's masterpiece, now 25 years old, and as an invaluable bonus it moves the entire saga onto interactive DVD, with hyperlinked audio commentary, voice recordings of Spiegelman's father, working sketches and essays.” –NPR.org
“The final component of his now legendary Maus epic and a fascinating look into the creative journey Spiegelman undertook to bring it all to light.” –Critical Mob, Critical Books of 2001
“Contains a wealth of extra material. In addition to the many photos, sketches and art samples throughout the book, an accompanying enhanced DVD contains thousands of sketches, video footage of Auschwitz, an archive of illustrated pamphlets by Polish camp survivors, audio recordings of Spiegelman’s interviews with his late father and—most impressively—the entirety of Maus in an annotated and searchable digital format…It was a comic about horror and survival, and if it had never been we would be all the poorer for its absence.” –New City
“The 300-page full-color hardback and companion DVD abound with source materials…The title transcends footnote: MetaMaus is a work of criticism in itself, providing not only notes on process and sources, but considering the entirety of a family, and the thinking of influences of an artist now and at the time the work was created.” –Art in America Magazine
“Opens previously unseen doors in Spiegelman’s iconic text…a pleasure to dip into. Throw in that DVD copy of The Complete Maus, and this truly is the only version of Spiegelman’s graphic memoir that you should ever need. If only we treated all our modern classics so well.” –Culture Mob
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Pantheon; First Edition /First Printing (October 4, 2011)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 300 pages
- ISBN-10 : 037542394X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0375423949
- Item Weight : 2.05 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.71 x 1.2 x 9.4 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #151,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #88 in Biographies & History Graphic Novels
- #179 in Educational & Nonfiction Graphic Novels
- #4,693 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
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Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book insightful and detailed. They describe it as a wonderful, generous piece of literature. The illustrations and style are appreciated. The interviews and other supplementary material provide fascinating information about the author, his writing process, motivation, and more. Readers appreciate the text quality, with the complete text included on the DVD-R. However, some customers report issues with the DVD quality, with one saying it was defective.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers appreciate the book's insightful and detailed historical content. They find it fascinating and unique, offering a glimpse into Spiegelman's research and creative process.
"...book five stars because it is an amazing collection of interviews, essays, and illustrations related to the creation of Art Spiegelman's classic work..." Read more
"Meta Maus Is a great inside luck to the novels. It is full of questions that you might have and full of questions that you never would’ve thought..." Read more
"...Getting an in depth breakdown of Maus is fascinating enough, but like the work itself, it is colored by what Maus depicts, both as a historical work..." Read more
"...book to the two-volume set of Maus, but consider it a map through the creative maze." Read more
Customers enjoy the book and find it an excellent work. They say it's a great addition to reading Maus and a must-buy for comic and graphic novel enthusiasts.
"...It speaks of how and where this novel came from. It is a worthwhile read." Read more
"...Read and enjoy this volume. Consider it not only a companion book to the two-volume set of Maus, but consider it a map through the creative maze." Read more
"Long Overdue Update: My replacement was quickly sent and works fine and dandy. Read this book cover to cover...." Read more
"...book the lowest rating possible, because it's that seemingly delicious DVD that I wanted--and am sure you want as well...." Read more
Customers enjoy the visual style of the book. They appreciate the illustrations and style. The book provides an interesting look into Maus, with original sketches, interviews, and pictures of drafts in progress. It includes images related to the development of Maus.
"...because it is an amazing collection of interviews, essays, and illustrations related to the creation of Art Spiegelman's classic work...." Read more
"...The book is chock full of panels, sketches, studies and other pictures relevant to the story of telling the story...." Read more
"...Also includes lots of images related to the development of Maus. I taught Maus to my high school seniors this year...." Read more
"...it is written in the same style of Maus . I love the illustrations and the style. So glad that I purchased Maus and Meta Maus." Read more
Customers enjoy the interviews and supplementary material in the book. They find the content fascinating, with interesting information about the author's writing process and motivation. The book starts with an interview with Spiegelman and includes his commentary and audio clips.
"I'm giving this book five stars because it is an amazing collection of interviews, essays, and illustrations related to the creation of Art..." Read more
"...It gives fascinating information about the author, his writing process, his motivation, etc...." Read more
"...in love with this book right from the start as it begins with an interview with Art Spiegelman...." Read more
"A fabulous book and even better CD-ROM. This book contains interviews and other supplementary material about Art Spiegelman's ground-breaking..." Read more
Customers appreciate the text quality. They mention it contains actual audio interviews, source materials, and the complete text on DVD-R. The book is written in the same style as Maus, with illustrations and a focus on the author's writing process and motivation.
"...It gives fascinating information about the author, his writing process, his motivation, etc...." Read more
"...it is written in the same style of Maus . I love the illustrations and the style. So glad that I purchased Maus and Meta Maus." Read more
"...hours of historical information, such as actual audio interviews, texts, publications related to the story, and so forth...." Read more
"For the obsessive, and those who study the Holocaust, this meta text is great...." Read more
Customers enjoy the storyline. They mention it's the story behind Maus, with audio interviews, texts, and publications related to the story. It's a continuation of the book Maus, which they love.
"This is a continuation of the book Maus, which i love. it is written in the same style of Maus . I love the illustrations and the style...." Read more
"...information, such as actual audio interviews, texts, publications related to the story, and so forth...." Read more
"This is not the series or a comic. It is the story behind the story for Maus. Very interesting look at the artist and writer/creator of Maus...." Read more
Customers are unhappy with the DVD quality. They mention the disc is defective and that there was a recall.
"...Very disappointed my DVD is defective. Will hope for a correctly-working replacement, but I understand this is an ongoing issue...." Read more
"...I would like to think that the disk production was defective, and that a recall/replacement is soon in order. So far, I have seen nothing about it...." Read more
"...over a year later and I have not seen Pantheon do an update of the defective DVD...." Read more
"Excellent book. Problematic DVD. Highly recommended...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2018I'm giving this book five stars because it is an amazing collection of interviews, essays, and illustrations related to the creation of Art Spiegelman's classic work. However, it's important to note that the DVD is not an ideal mechanism for delivering this sort of information. I have spent several hours struggling to get my computers to read the disk. Most new computers do not even come with DVD drives. This is not the fault of the publisher or of the very talented design team that put the disk together. When they published this book, the DVD drive was ubiquitous. It would be great if the publisher could create some sort of digital download version of the content -- even a plain old ISO file -- to make it easier for customers to view this supplemental material. Having said all that, even though the DVD medium is frustrating, the book is worth every penny. Highly recommended.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2023Meta Maus Is a great inside luck to the novels. It is full of questions that you might have and full of questions that you never would’ve thought off and the answers flow from them. It takes in other family members other than Art himself. It speaks of how and where this novel came from. It is a worthwhile read.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2011The bulk of the book is comprised of interviews with Art Spiegelman. In these interviews, he discusses how the book was made, what inspired his art, and why he made major creative decisions. Getting an in depth breakdown of Maus is fascinating enough, but like the work itself, it is colored by what Maus depicts, both as a historical work and a personal story. Moreover, the book also let me know what Spiegelman is like, and he is quite the conversationalist. There are little detours into other aspects. I found the interview with Spiegelman's wife to be particularly affecting, because she provides a whole new perspective on Vladek that leads to an extremely poignant anecdote.
The book is chock full of panels, sketches, studies and other pictures relevant to the story of telling the story. The only part that could have been improved is the transcript of the first interview with Vladek -- the print is simply too small. This transcript, and others, are on the DVD, which I've just delved into. So far, I haven't experienced some of the problems others have had, but I would agree that having the DVD insert in the front cover is better in concept that in execution.
But the flaws are minor, and should not detract from this welcome addition to the Maus canon.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2013This is as close to an annotated Maus as we'll probably get. Mr. Spiegelman walks the reader through his creative processes as he pens (and inks) a modern literary masterpiece. While some may argue that the author is merely "milking the franchise," one must remember that Mr. Spiegelman has shown incredible restraint and reverence for his family's and all Holocaust victims' stories by not cashing in as he had ample opportunity to do. Read and enjoy this volume. Consider it not only a companion book to the two-volume set of Maus, but consider it a map through the creative maze.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2018If you've read Maus and are intrigued by it, then you'll enjoy this book. It gives fascinating information about the author, his writing process, his motivation, etc. Also includes lots of images related to the development of Maus. I taught Maus to my high school seniors this year. and MetaMaus provided great information for that.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2013I bought this book only because it had the transcript of Vladek's account of the Holocaust. The only comic/cartoons I am "interested" in come with my Sunday paper.
I fell in love with this book right from the start as it begins with an interview with Art Spiegelman. His intelligence, talent, passion and honesty jump right off the page.
I ended up learning about him and his family, his relationship with his father, his craft, the personal history of both him and Maus, and even more.
It brings so much more to Maus that when you re-read it after this book (which I am sure you will), it will be like reading it for the first time!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2013Long Overdue Update: My replacement was quickly sent and works fine and dandy. Read this book cover to cover. An insightful gem and great companion to the Complete Maus.
Very disappointed my DVD is defective. Will hope for a correctly-working replacement, but I understand this is an ongoing issue. Again, very disappointed, as I was hoping to include this in my classroom, but I wouldn't dare ask my students to spend their money on something so hit or miss.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020This is a continuation of the book Maus, which i love. it is written in the same style of Maus . I love the illustrations and the style. So glad that I purchased Maus and Meta Maus.
Top reviews from other countries
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Maria RosariaReviewed in Italy on August 23, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Prima esperienza con il Warehouse di Amazon. Impressionato!.
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Jane AlvesReviewed in Brazil on April 22, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Maus: um monumento à Verdade que se quer negar.
O livro responde a todas as perguntas que nos ocorrem quando se lê o extraordinário Maus (edição completa, I e Ii). Resultado de entrevista inteligente, com a adesão total do autor, sobre suas dúvidas, escolhas, dificuldades, e consequências psicossociais do empreendimento corajoso que lhe rendeu o Prêmio Pulitzer.
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F. NottReviewed in Germany on September 21, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
Umfangreiches Werk, mit dem man sich lang beschäftigen kann!
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Emanuel SorianoReviewed in Mexico on February 26, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente producto
El producto está bien hecho, en el material dentro del disco compacto trae la historia original y es bastante recomendable. Si acaso lo único malo es que no es fácil insertar el disco de nuevo en el estuche que está integrado en la pasta delantera. pero no demerita para nada el producto.
- Jean-Olivier GagnonReviewed in Canada on April 29, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing companion piece to a graphic novel modern classic
MetaMaus is an amazing "companion" to Maus Compete (or Maus 1 & 2). I use quotation marks as it includes Maus 1 and 2 on its DVD-ROM. Unfortunately, it is an unwieldy version, only available through a QuickTime program that works on PC and Mac so forget your phone, Kindle or tablet. There still isn't a proper eBook version of Maus and it's a crying shame. MetaMaus is a long interview with Art Spiegelman, the author of Maus which talks about the book, the effect of the graphic novel on his life and other people's lives as well as a broader context of his family and the events depicted in the novel. It is well written, sometimes TOO well written which detracts from the candid interview format, and features a gorgeous design where every page is different and loaded with illustrations and pictures that compliment and enhance the text. The DVD-ROM also features even more content like actual recordings of the interviews with Art's father which lead to the creation of Maus. An amazing resource for academic research and a fun read to boot for Maus fans. Recommended.