I've written probably 3 or 4 papers on Bechdel so far in my degree and every time I write another, I find something new to learn about. An absolutely amazing writer. I will continue to come back to Fun Home and Are You My Mother? in the future because I think they are great examples of this particular genre of book. This interview was just what I needed for my most recent essay and I have a renewed sense of determination to finish. :)
I've read both books, for ages Fun Home was in my top 5 books of any genre. To me it seems that Bechdel sees her dad more clearly because she relates to him objectively: through objects. As a child living in a house she relates to him through his constant tinkering with vintage and period furniture. In her teenage years she relates to him through books as he is a literature professor, and as a young adult she relates to him through his secret sexuality as she explores her own homosexuality. Although he is an inscrutable character, the object allows them to relate in a side-long way through shared objects. But her mother is much more difficult to see because they relate more directly as subjects. Without the objects through which to relate it is more difficult for Bechdel to isolate where she ends and her mother begins, or where her mother ends and she begins.
![Alison Bechdel’s Superhuman Strength [Stuck in Vermont 638]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6cC4gqjEjGg/mqdefault.jpg)
I've written probably 3 or 4 papers on Bechdel so far in my degree and every time I write another, I find something new to learn about. An absolutely amazing writer. I will continue to come back to Fun Home and Are You My Mother? in the future because I think they are great examples of this particular genre of book. This interview was just what I needed for my most recent essay and I have a renewed sense of determination to finish. :)
This book astonished me. So complex but confidently handled. Absolutely inspirational woman and artist.
I just finished this fascinating book. Last year i read Fun Home. Alison shares so much with us and I wanted to hug her. She is adorable!
She is very courageous to share her family's story. I want to read this immediately!! (grabs bag and heads to book store)
One of the best books I've ever read.
I've read both books, for ages Fun Home was in my top 5 books of any genre.
To me it seems that Bechdel sees her dad more clearly because she relates to him objectively: through objects. As a child living in a house she relates to him through his constant tinkering with vintage and period furniture. In her teenage years she relates to him through books as he is a literature professor, and as a young adult she relates to him through his secret sexuality as she explores her own homosexuality.
Although he is an inscrutable character, the object allows them to relate in a side-long way through shared objects.
But her mother is much more difficult to see because they relate more directly as subjects. Without the objects through which to relate it is more difficult for Bechdel to isolate where she ends and her mother begins, or where her mother ends and she begins.
The Wall Street Journal seems to bring something to this interview that makes it unintentionally hilarious.
Her face at 0:10 is hilarious. She is like, "Stop shouting at me."
More like "no need to be jealous"
More like "Am I a Male or Female"?