Book Review: ‘Fun Home’ by Alison Bechdel

Trigger Warning: This article discusses topics related to mental health that some readers may find upsetting. Resources are available at the end of the article.

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel is no stranger to being targeted by book bans. And now the Government of Alberta is using it to justify upcoming restrictions on what is allowed in school libraries. 

The graphic memoir follows Alison as she reflects on her childhood after her father, Bruce, commits suicide. He kills himself not long after Alison comes out as a lesbian. Turns out her dad was having affairs with young boys throughout much of her childhood. The book is all about navigating sexuality and weird family history.

Bruce and Alison’s relationship is complicated. He was caring at times, harsh and cold at others. More often than not, Bruce was far more focused on restoring their gothic home than his wife or kids. That, of course, makes grieving his death complicated when a bunch of people are constantly telling Alison her father was a great man.

To further complicate her grief, Alison grew up helping her father with the family funeral home, also referred to as “Fun Home.” Constantly being around caskets, embalmed bodies, and funerals while growing up is bound to make your relationship with death a little weird. 

All of this hangs over the scenes Bechdel takes the reader through. The memories of her youth that are being reshaped by the discovery of her father’s affairs and his death.

The revelation that her father has been having affairs with young men for years came right after Alison came out to her parents. Specifically, Bruce would take a special interest in his high school students. Sometimes that would be sexual, other times it perhaps wasn’t. Regardless, it was messed up — not only for the high school boys but also the Bechdel family.

To say Bruce and Alison’s mother’s marriage was unhappy would be an understatement. Turns out, she was going to divorce him before his death. It’s no wonder, as the relationship, through Bechdel’s depiction, is borderline emotionally abusive. 

This all made coming out to her parents extra weird for Alison. Her mother’s reaction is less than supportive, but in the context of her husband’s activities, it made some sense.

The backdrop of Bechdel’s depiction of her exploration of her sexuality is increasingly alarming behaviour by her father. That grows to her mother planning to divorce Bruce, and then his suicide. 

The artistry of the storytelling and illustrations can’t be understated. The attention to detail and style of Bechdel’s drawings bring the story to life. The frankness in her storytelling about her family and her sexuality is at times startling, but also refreshing.

Would I give this book to a kid in kindergarten? A kid in middle school? No. But Fun Home is an important story for young adults to be able to reflect on. Sure, the exact circumstances of the graphic memoir probably aren’t something most people live through. But the weird family dynamics and reflections on one’s youth can be an important way for youth to see their own slightly bizarre and confusing life reflected back at them. 

Additionally, depictions of queerness shouldn’t be unfairly targeted. Given the group that has taken credit for supplying the Alberta government with Fun Home as an “inappropriate” book to be in schools, it’s clear that is what is happening. Three out of the four books cited by the government focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ stories. 

I find it hard to believe that Fun Home is appearing on reading lists for middle schoolers. But access to a book like this for high school students isn’t going to irreparably damage them for life. It might actually make them feel seen or teach them about empathy for others. 

If you are dealing with thoughts of suicidal ideation you can call the 24-hour Canada-wide crisis service hotline: 1-833-456-4566.