Laila picked Fun Home for our current read (meeting on Jan. 5, 2018. OMG 2018?!!) and so I wanted to give a very brief introduction to its amazing author/illustrator/cartoonist, Alison Bechdel.
Not only has she written our book club pick (and a follow up) graphic novel memoir, but she also received the MacArthur fellowship -- folks, this is where you receive, out of the blue, six HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, NO STRINGS ATTACHED, because you are just so creative and wonderful that MacArthur wants to support you -- and Fun Home was turned into a musical. Here's a good NPR interview with her.
You also might have heard of "The Bechdel Test"? It's a simple set of three criteria for movies:
Anyways, I think we can all agree that Alison Bechdel is an intimidatingly smart, creative and accomplished individual, and I am so inspired by her life after reading both her memoirs.
Happy Holidays everyone, and as always, happy reading!