Irony operates on many levels in this harsh but beautiful memoir. The title, for example, refers both to Bechdel`s father`s funeral parlor and the never ending bitterness that flourishes in a household that includes a closeted gay father, a betrayed and worn-down mother, and a budding lesbian daughter. Humor and heartbreak play equal parts in Bechdel`s longing for a meaningful relationship with her father. Interestingly, they come closest in their shared interest and discussions of James Joyce and, among others, F. Scott Fitzgerald. This element adds a cultural sophistication to the narrative that, along with her highly evocative artwork, places this book among the best of its kind -- a wonderful argument for the viability and value of the graphic literary form.

Reviewed by Jim B., Main Library

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