Helpful Score: 20
Now that I've finally read Kavalier & Clay, I'm astonished that it took me three tries to make it past the first few chapters. Press on, dear readers! This book is one of the most rewarding reads of the year for me. The characters are fascinating. And the story is part adventure, part historical fiction, part love story...and every twist and turn made me want to read more. Truly one of those books that I was sad to finish.
Helpful Score: 13
This book started out slow for me and was hard to get into, but around page 100 it really took off. I ended up absolutely loving the book!
One of the reviews on the back cover really hit on what I think is the strong point - highly developed characters. Chabon crafts them to the point they seem like people you've known all your life.
One of the reviews on the back cover really hit on what I think is the strong point - highly developed characters. Chabon crafts them to the point they seem like people you've known all your life.
Helpful Score: 9
Engaging coming of age story that won the Pulitzer. Some of the prose is a little drawn out - Chabon seems to sometimes lose sight of the big picture in my opinion, and writes and writes and writes. Overall the novel is extremely well put together, and things ultimately come full circle. The writing in this book, while often verbose, is still enjoyable and beautiful. Great story about the beginnings of the comic book industry, and about the effects of WWII on a Jewish immigrant from Czechoslovakia. I think that the beginning of the novel is great - it builds you up, but it doesn't exactly deliver in the end. I was very glad to have read this book, but felt a little disappointed when I had finished it - not that it was finished - but the way that he chose to do so.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 7
A wonderfully unique book, both humorous and heart breaking. I grew to love the characters and it is a compelling portrayal of the times. Beginning in 1939, before America's involvement in WW2 and ranging through 1954. A young Jewish immigrant from Prague, who's exploits of getting to America were fascinating and when he meets his American cousin, they take off as a comic book writing/artist team in New York. This is the story of their dreams, fame, success, sacrifices, failures, and the impacts on their lives and the ones they love. With appearances by real characters in the times such as Orson Welles, Stan Lee, Salvadore Dali, to name a few. This is an excellent read! It was added to the 2010 updated list of "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die".
Helpful Score: 6
This book is amazing. Chabon's spellbinding story follows two unique characters throughout the ups and downs of fulfilling the American dream. The characters are unforgettable, the writing phenomenal, and the story one you'll not easily forget. Once you're done, you'll want to start right over.
