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A review of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

by Michael Chabon

Magic, comic books, war, love, hate and despair rolled up into a gripping well-written epic.

Reviewed by: A.J. Kohn
About A.J. Kohn

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay Magic, comic books, New York City, Jewish folklore, war, love, hate, despair, and even homosexuality are blended together in a tight narrative in Michael Chabon's 'The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.' Books with such a sweeping, grand scope shouldn't be this easy to read, but Chabon delivers a great yarn through the lives of cousins Joe Kavalier and Sam Clay.

Joe Kavalier flees Nazi-occupied Prague and finds himself bunking with distant New York relative, Sam Clay. The cousins quickly bond and soon embark on a career in comic books, creating a popular hero - the Escapist. 'Kavalier and Clay' is filled with details on the golden age of comic books. The research is clearly evident but delivered seamlessly as Joe and Sam struggle, rise and finally succeed in the business.

But 'Kavalier and Clay' isn't really about comic books. Ultimately, relationships define this novel. Joe has family back in Prague, and his anger and guilt at leaving them seesaw back and forth, spilling over into his artwork and life. And of course, there is a love story. Over time, a strange love triangle between the beautiful Rosa Saks, Joe and Sam develops with surprising results.

Chabon skillfully unites different themes and stories into one long saga. In fact, 'Kavalier and Clay' is divided into six parts, some of which could stand alone as short stories. Part one, titled 'The Escape Artist' delves into golems and Houdini escape techniques. Part five, titled 'Radioman', details the harrowing story of survival, madness and combat at a naval base at the North Pole. 'Radioman' is a departure from the rest of the book in both geography and tone and feels like its been retooled by Chabon to fit into this sprawling epic. Normally, this type of literary whiplash would disturb me. However, the story is fantastic, an eerie white blanket of sadness and despair that serves as a microcosm of the novel as a whole.

This is a gritty, grounded book that doesn't blink and never panders. It's heartfelt but not sentimental. The themes are dark but the writing upbeat. The end is sweet and sour, a mixture of satisfaction and melancholy. 'The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay' is so good it won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Okay, I admit, the Pulitzer's can be hit and miss. They're sort of like the Golden Globes of literary awards. But this time they got it right.

Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

Copyright © by A.J. Kohn, 2002

Reviewed by A.J. Kohn:
-- Motherless Brooklyn - by Jonathan Lethem
-- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - by Douglas Adams
-- Stranger Passing - by Joel Sternfeld
-- The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay - by Michael Chabon
-- Bloodsucking Fiends - by Christopher Moore
-- The Long Rain - by Peter Gadol









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