Customer Reviews

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay: A Novel

5 star:		(283)
4 star:		(75)
3 star:		(55)
2 star:		(39)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

"The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" is a work that's difficult to describe. The 600+ pages cover the years from 1937 until 1954 in the lives of Josef Kavalier and Sammy Clayman, two Jewish cousins and best friends. Kavalier flees Prague in 1937 under intriguing circumstances (that are too good to give away), and ends up with Sammy's family (Sammy's mother and both boys' grandmother) in New York City. They're poor, they're approximately the same age (17 at the beginning of the novel), and they both have dreams of bringing the rest of Josef's family to America before the anti-Semitism burbling in Central Europe does more harm to the family.

Through happenstance, careful planning, and skill, the two boys end up creating a super hero comic book. Their hero, "The Escapist," fights crimes with the talents of an escape artist (a career that Joe once aspired to) and eventually superhuman strength. He wears a mask (of course), and a blue suit with a gold key emblem emblazoned on his chest. The book uses as a template the careers of many Golden Age comic book artists, but especially that of Siegel and Schuster, the creators of the greatest of all, Superman. Joe and Sammy work together, and The Escapist is catapulted to the top of the comics heap, originally conceived as a Nazi-fighter (before fighting Nazis was cool) and an outlet for Joe's rage and impotence, and an outlet for Sammy's creativity. They build up an entire comics company, Empire Comics, and their fights with editors, radio producers, and serial producers fuel the need for conflict in the book--as there aren't many between these two friends.

The novel follows them and their comic book creation through World War II, and into the 1950's...and it's not a smooth ride for anyone. It involves marriage, children, mysterious disappearances, and cameos from the elite of the time--everyone from Orson Welles to Salvador Dali (who nearly drowns at a "surrealist party"....and he doesn't drown in water...or even liquid for that matter) shows up, along with a Jewish Golem, Eleanor Roosevelt, and eight enormous braided rubber bands. We travel to many locations, the most exotic I've seen in a terrestrial book, but I don't want to give them away, because the locales themselves are major twists of the plot.

Now, just because this is ostensibly about comic books, many of you will be turned off--don't be. That's like saying you're not interested in "Death of a Salesman" because you don't like...uh...sales. The book is about human experience--about love, death, fear, regret, longing...but the two major players (of many) happen to be a comic book writer and artist. Now, if you happen to BE a fan of comic books, you'll love the scenes where comic books are discussed--Chabon references the Greats of all time: Schuster and Siegel themselves, Bob Kane, Gil Kane, Gardner Fox, Milton Caniff, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee....and uses them sparingly (for non-fans), but some of you may recognize the creators of Li'l Orphan Annie, Superman, Batman, Flash, Hawkman, The Human Torch, Captain America, The Sub-Mariner...this truly WAS a Golden Age; and although Chabon is careful to point out that "Golden Ages always seem to be in the past," he also says this was indeed a golden time for these people. So recently out of the Depression, not yet subjected to the full horrors of World War II, the bulk of the book is suffused with a hope that transcends the material.

Now, let's just say you're not a fan of Super-Heroes, of Escape Artists, of New York City, of the 1940's, or of Jews. Why on earth are you still reading this review? And why should you pick up "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay?" This is quite honestly the BEST novel I've read in a long time, possibly years. There were moments that made my eyes well up with tears, and scenes that had me laughing out loud. Chabon is literate, and has a beautiful style. His vocabulary is enormous, and it was delightful to read a novel that had words in it that I had to actually look up--or gather meaning from context. It was such a wonderful, active, immersing experience to read this book.

I give it my absolute highest recommendation. It made me want to create something important. Something lasting. Something I can be proud of. And I already have the cutest baby ever made, but this made me want to get out there and LIVE. This is a joyous (even when heartbreaking) book that you should make a part of your library. Read it. Another quick recommendation: "The Losers Club: Complete Restored Edition" by Richard Perez -- a much shorter but lively, very entertaining book I enjoyed .

The story of The Escapist and his creators is good escapism. I picked up this novel because it won the Pulitzer Prize, one of the most reliable sources for good literature. I wasn't disappointed. Whether you are a comic book fan or not, this is a powerful story about an important part of history. Highly recommended.

Just a short note to add to so many other reviews.

I used to collect comics as I kid but I actually enjoyed the characters more in this story than the comic book angle.

I really enjoyed this book though I did skim over some of the longer detailed passages. Funnily enough I would then get into some dialogue and often went back to the detail to read it anyway.

Very enjoyable.

This book was incredibly dense, rich and full of comic book lore goodness.
The detail and research that went into this book is staggering, the birth of the characters was compelling (I would love to read both the Escapist and the Luna Moth stories) and I was transported back to the golden age of comics witnessing the breakthroughs and devices that would change the medium forever from pulpy hokey hero comics to the complex and exhilarating graphic novels that I cheerfully bankrupt myself on to this day.
The character of Josef Kavalier was given exceptional depth, following his escape from Prague to his cousin's bed in New York City with enough poignant detail that his struggle against the happiness in his new country and the impotent rage at himself and the war never feels forced.
Sammy's portrayal, in comparison, is shallower; paralleling the conventional plots he spins as the idea man up until the end of the book when his own struggles and escape come out.
The stand out moments for me were the scene atop the empire state building between Sammy and Bacon and the moment where Josef sacrifices his dog to a doomed fool's errand that leaves him stranded in the South Pole, shot and hooked on morphine. I still can't believe they killed the dog.

Kavalier & Clay depicts what it was like to live in occupied Poland during the war. Joe Kavalier is followed from his youth in Poland to his early 20's and 30's in New York. Comic book aficianados will especially enjoy this book. I know nothing about the comic book industry in the 30's and 40's but I still enjoyed the story.

Sammy Clay his cousin is also very interesting although his character isn't developed as fully as his cousin's. The twists and turns of the plot keep you with your nose in the book.

I picked it up thinking that it looked right up my alley. Don't be fooled by the title or the back jacket. That said, it was still an immensely well written book. The characters were a little flat for my taste and I still can't get over what happened to the dog but I liked it well enough to lend it on.

This is an enormous book (600+ pages) that you just can't put down. The story weaves and dips, taking us on a fascinating journey through 3 decades of comic and real world events.

The protagonists are deeply developed, as is the story. You don't need to like comic books to appreciate their impact on these characters!

Do yourself a favor, read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

Recently I've read three great books: THE LOVELY BONES, CHILDREN'S CORNER by McCrae, and THE AMAZING ADVENTURES. Of the three, AMAZING ADVENTURES was the best and held my attention the longest. It was the colorful illustration of the Empire State Building that drew me to this novel. As I adore NYC, I admit that I judged a book by its cover :) Fortunately my superficial purchase paid off, and I ended up learning a lot about the individual's view of the WWII era, the American can-do philosophy, and, surprisingly, comic books. In fact, Michael Chabon so phenomenally created the characters of Sam and Joe that their passion for comics actually rubbed off on me - an utter comic book virgin who now can't wait to try reading one. As the plot summary is just above, let me only add that the author is well aware of some of today's red-button social issues, and he doesn't hesitate to incorporate just about every one of them into his WWII-period novel. Despite some eyebrow-raising topics, you must admit Chabon's imagination is incredible and his imagery should rightly be termed as beautiful. Upon finishing, you'll be asking yourself how on earth can this man create such realistic fiction?! The book is long, but it does progress with some speed. Overall, you have a mix of sections that are page-turners and others that simply aren't. I enjoyed the book a tad less than immensely but a notch higher than really. Eventually, you should read this novel, but it is possible to let it wait on your bookshelf until you have finished up whatever you currently have your nose in---------------------------Also try the Sebold and the Jackson McCrae book for a great time.

I have just finished "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" and am experiencing the grief and regret one feels after closing the cover on a truly fantastic novel. Michael Chabon is an extremely talented and thoughtful author who has the ability to breathe life into every character who walks across the pages of his book. I grieve at the thought that I will no longer encounter this colorful cast and regret that I couldn't spend more time with them. Mr. Chabon has woven the experiences of two young Jewish cousins, one American and one Czechoslovakian, during the decades of the nineteen-thirties and the nineteen-fifties; how they evolve from strangers to partners and the best of friends, and support one another through the horrifying changes wrought on their lives due to WWII. This book is wonderful and not to be missed! Also would very highly recommend the novel THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD.

If someone had told me this book revolved around two guys writing a comic book, I'd have said thanks but no thanks. But I decided to read it anyway based on other Chabon novels I'd read. It's nothing like them. There's a lot going on under the surface of this one - While you're being entertained, there's kind of a sinister subtext that evolves. A well-written and surprising book, in my opinion.
Would also recommend THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD for another great time.