The Name of the Game

by Will Eisner

Chronicles the struggle for power and privilege of the Arnheim, Ober, and Kayn families as each tries to ensure its family's future with marriage and children.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Historical, Historical Fiction, Bande Dessinée

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

William Erwin Eisner was an American cartoonist, writer, and entrepreneur. He was one of the earliest cartoonists to work in the American comic book industry, and his series The Spirit (1940–1952) was noted for its experiments in content and form. In 1978, he popularized the term "graphic novel" with the publication of his book A Contract with God. He was an early contributor to formal comics studies with his book Comics and Sequential Art (1985). The Eisner Award was named in his honor and is given to recognize achievements each year in the comics medium; he was one of the three inaugural inductees to the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame.

Reviews

[Greta G · Rating 4 out of 5]

An all too true tale of high society, 'good marriage' and appearances, situated within the established German American-Jewish families, beginning by the end of the 19th century and spanning over a period of almost a century.

I really enjoyed it. It was clever, insightful, and ironic.
It would be good material for a Classic Hollywood movie.
And the differences in class and culture, are still so true.

The name of the game is 'a good marriage'.
Too late for me though (well I can't complain, really).

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gobbled up The Name of the Game, as I was quickly swept into the inter-generational family saga that spanned 100 years. Supposedly based on Eisner’s wife’s family, the story shows how class and appearances trump love and common decency. The Arnheim family, who are of German-Jewish descent, established themselves in New York City and are considered a leading family in the social establishment soon after the Civil War. As such they feel they need to further their personal and business connections by making a good marriage for their eldest son Conrad, the heir apparent to the clothing empire. Looking outside the city, they settle on the daughter of a well-respected Ohio banking family and arrange for her to meet their son. While she is smitten, he is not, and the resulting marriage is an unhappy one due to his wandering eye. The marriage ends when she dies in childbirth, and their daughter is sent to live with her Ohio grandparents. Conrad then marries a much younger woman who is very glamorous, but their marriage is based on lies and ends up being for show only. While they eventually have a daughter themselves, the family is only worried about appearances. The family name buffers their finances through the Depression, and others fall by the wayside due to Conrad’s ruthless ways, and the Arnheims continue to build their wealth. Conrad’s second daughter Rosie grows to adulthood in the counter-culture 60’s and rejects the status of her family, and marries a struggling poet. Her husband Aron’s parents are thrilled to be related by marriage to the powerful Arnheims, and their status increases due to this connection. While Rosie feels she is breaking out of the confines of her upbringing, and embraces her more religious in-laws, Aron ends up joining Conrad’s firm and drags her back into the society she was anxious to escape from. Eisner’s compelling book shows how class and culture can mix into toxic sludge, and the lengths people go to keep up appearances can strangle out the best of intentions.

This review, plus one for A Family Matter can be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2016/12/3...

[Rory Tregaskis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully observed, and economically told story of people fucking each other up through the generations.

Read it, it'll only take an hour or so.

Adding a star because it really is good.

[Rahadyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Eisner's novel The Name of the Game traces the parallel lineages of three Jewish families from the late 19th century to the 1950's: an old money family, the Arnheims; a more modestly striving family, the Obers; and the social climbers, the Kayns. By turns, it is poignant, maddening and sobering in its depiction of how people use marriage as an avenue to preserve appearances, rise in social class and sometimes just survive. While I seem to recall Jeffrey Archer's Kane and Abel novels covering some of the same territory, I found this deeply affecting and resonant. There are commonalities to the struggles of all immigrants of all ethnicites and faiths and Eisner's story affirms this for me. Highly recommended.

[Prctaxman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting and I must say that it is the best of the Eisner graphic novels I've read - I really liked it!

I generally do not keep books - why have them gather dust when, in all likelihood, I won't pick them up, again....but this one I'll keep - I'll loan it out but not give it away.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down. No chapters but it was paced perfectly, so no need.
Abrupt ending but a satisfying experience.

WAY more sex and violence than any other Eisner story I've read so far.

[Tate Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect of this graphic novel. As i started, it felt more like a basic introduction to the cut throat world of Jewish society and I thought this will not keep me interested or entertained. However before long I was completely hooked, enthralled by the clear display of how one needs to fight hard or have good fortune to rise the ranks of their social standing and in society in general.

The whole game is abhorrent to me, however it rings true and the game is still played to this day and for those that may be 'lowly born' or will never feel the need to buy the latest BMW X5 to keep up with the neighbours, this book could truly be an education as to how the other half live, thrive and survive.

The frustrating thing is that due to how stupid the game is and how horrible the majority of the players of the game are, you really want to see some justice or punishment come to those involved hoping that they all are buried under the weight of their misdeeds, actions and selfishness. However, justice never ever comes and no judgment of the game is actually made in the book. It is what it is and more often than not the most powerful will keep on moving forward preparing way for the next generation to benefit from and keep up the good fight in protecting the family name while the 'New Money' enters and fights to take a seat at the party.

[Anurag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome!! Even today marriage is the name of the game, dude!


Very engrossing book about the American Jewish life in 18th and early 19th century.

I love Will Eisner's art. One page without separation of panels!
The characters are so lively that you don't really need colouring them at all!

Do read it!

[Carlos Úbeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eisner pone el dedo en la llaga y escarba con dureza pero sin sentimentalismos ni complejidad en los orígenes del poder y su comportamiento. La manera en la que cuenta esa verdad es deslumbrante: concisa, elegante, bien llevada a través de unos personajes magnéticos. Y todo con un dibujo maravilloso, lleno de recursos expresivos dentro de unas composiciones que te atrapan y guían completamente. Absolutamente magistral a todos los niveles.

[Arlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eisner's book spans three generations of an American Jewish family living in New York. He manages to draw you into this somewhat depressing story (apparently loosely based on his wife's family) of a family and society centered around appearances. Marriages are often used for social reasons - the spouses filled with ambition, jealousy, immorality.

[Gica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Eisner sempre será formidável por tratar a vida como ela é. Em o nome do jogo, a busca pelo status social, a ascensão por uniões entre famílias ricas e, claro, os interesses de grupos em criar classes "afortunadas" de velhos e novos ricos é narrada de forma brilhante através de 3 gerações de uma família.

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is a generation saga in graphic novel form. I missed this upon publication, and after reading another biography of the great Will Eisner, I am especially impressed. I am unsure how much of this historical experience is based upon the families in Mrs. Eisner's line, but it translates into one of Eisner's most effective late fictions.
Highly recommended.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff, as per usual. Eisner explains a complicated story in a really great way. The end story, which was the original shell, just shows how much he can expand on an idea and make you feel like you were there.

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. About the horridness, the conniving of the human spirit. Too clunky, broadly painted, but eventually it sucked me in anyway. Darn you, Eisner. I remain quietly fascinated by the way you draw women.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. I read it in one day, however, with graphic novels, that is not difficult to do. The book does give a good perspective on historical Judaism in America and some excellent insights into marriage. Not for kids, however, young teens might be mature enough for it.

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Eisner's distinctive artistic style and this is an interesting enough multi-generational tale about Jewish families keen to seek status through 'good marriages' but it ultimately left me a little cold.

[erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

not the best will eisner book i've ever read, but he's always pretty brilliant and i really like reading about jewish people while in france.

[matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take's Eisner's typical touchstones (family dynamics, social norms, Jewish culture) and adds some interesting flourishes.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Eisner's look at three generations of an upper crest New York families through their marriages. Interesting, fun quick read.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale about how money and privilege has changed people in America through several generations.

[Dipa Sanatani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read. An unique and honest look at why people get married and the age old lesson of how nothing is ever as it seems. Eisner makes some amazing observations. Well worth a read.

[Matt Piechocinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

More money, more problems ... exasperated by family. Good read.

[Dave Peticolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A graphic novel about three Jewish families in the early and middle years of the twentieth century. It is skillfully done, but I found it a bit wooden.

[Emilou · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was boring. I didn't care for the storyline or the content.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was depressing!

[Daniel Sevitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing tale of upwardly mobile Jews in early 20th century America. Not sure what the audience for this kind of graphic novella is, but it's well written and gorgeously drawn.

[Talie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An examination of a family dynasty full of unhappy marriages and domestic violence. Sad, but moving.

[Jed Richardson]

Smashed through this one!

Wouldn't really recommend this as an introduction to Eisner, as it was for me. Crazy reading him, after dipping my toes into so many other graphic novelists, as he is indisputably the person who made the medium what it is today. Craig Thompson clearly took major influence from the guy, so it was cool to see the comparisons between those artists.

As for the novel itself; I would say that everything is pretty superb, with the exception of the pacing and a lot of the dialogue. So much of the major narrative beats are just dismissed in narration, and none of the art, despite being absolutely gorgeous, gets to carry the weight of the story.

The story itself is exceptionally tragic. Following Conrad and his horrible shenanigans was so sickening. It's such a bummer to go through this book and hope for any of the pure characters to escape this horrible cycle, as they eventually fall prey to the poison of their family's wealth. Helen, I think for me, was the biggest bummer, sheerly for how close she came to getting out. I suppose it all worked out in the end.

Very keen to give 'A Contract With God' a read after this.

[Joost · Rating 5 out of 5]

De meeste graphic novels zijn meer graphic dan novel. Maar The name of the game van Will Eisner is wat mij betreft een vette novel. Nog geen tientje bij de ramsj Scheltema en toch geven die 168 pagina's zeker drie uur leesplezier. Want Eisner laat je steeds nadenken, hij laat ruimte open, suggereert. Het boek is een prachtig epos over 'goede families' in de Joodse gemeenschap van New York. Het gaat om zien en zien worden, en om hogerop te komen, moet je dus slim trouwen. Met een goede partij.
Ik kreeg bij het lezen het gevoel dat ik ook bij films als The godfather of Once upon a time in America kreeg. In één ruk uit. Voelt als een goede maaltijd.
Eisner brengt zó veelzijdige, geloofwaardige karakters ten tonele die het vehikel vormen voor een prachtig stukje geschiedenis van de Joodse diaspora. Eerder las ik A contract with God. Zelfde thematiek, net zo mooi.

[Nestor B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

*The Name of the Game* is classic Will Eisner — a well-told story about real people, conveyed through expressive drawings. It’s a family saga about a lineage where social status means everything, and marrying well is the name of the game. If there’s anything to critique, it would be that none of the characters are particularly likable. They are fully human but mostly display negative traits like greed, selfishness, envy, and promiscuity. Additionally, the reading flow is occasionally interrupted by some overly long text passages, something Eisner usually handles better. Overall, it’s a good reading experience, though not Eisner’s best.