What the Words Say

In this classic dystopian novel, Ray Bradbury depicts a future American society where books are outlawed and 'firemen' are tasked with burning any discovered. The protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman who starts to question his role after encountering Clarisse, a young girl who loves nature and reading. As Montag delves deeper into the world of books, he begins to see the emptiness of his life and the dangers of a society that values entertainment over critical thinking and intellectual freedom. With the help of Faber, a retired English professor, Montag rebels against the system, leading to a confrontation with his fire chief, Captain Beatty, and ultimately joining a group of intellectuals who have memorized books to preserve knowledge for a post-apocalyptic future.

This graphic memoir is a companion piece to Bechdel's earlier work 'Fun Home', which dealt with her relationship with her father. 'Are You My Mother? ' delves into Bechdel's relationship with her mother, an unaffectionate amateur actor trapped in a marriage to a closeted homosexual. The book interweaves memoir with psychoanalysis, drawing on the works of Donald Winnicott, Virginia Woolf, and other literary figures. It follows Bechdel's quest to understand her mother through dreams, therapy sessions, and personal reflections, ultimately concluding on a note of acceptance and appreciation for the complexities of their relationship.