Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay


by Michael Chabon.

Quickie Recap: Clay is the lucky boy born and raised in America in the 1930s and has all the big dreams to prove it. His cousin, Kavalier, escapes Prague just in time and arrives with only one ambition: to earn enough money to send for his family. Together they create a comic book featuring The Escapist, and hope it will lead them to fame and fortune.

Quickie Review: I could fall in love with this author based solely on his vocabulary. It's tremendous. It's exciting just to read his words, never mind what they mean when they're all strung together into a story. But what a story! Kavalier & Clay is not new to me, but having recently read the Yiddish Policemen's Union, I got the bug to reread this one, and I'm always glad when I do. It's a tapestry of incredible stories and feels to me what a "great American novel" should be.

Quickie Recommendation: For everyone, yes.

2 comments:

Lisa said...

I think I'm one of the few people that hasn't read this one yet. It seems to be the favorite Chabon of most Guess I'd better check it out soon.

Lorna said...

Not my fave at all. I've lost two or three bookmarks trying to keep my interest up.