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thatotherlisa's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of essays about reading and writing. Interesting if you're a fan of Chabon, which I am. A lot of good insight into him - I always wondered how the person who wrote Mysteries of Pittsburgh could also write Summerland, but it makes sense now. Some of the essays on other works of fiction were really good. Something about the essay on golems bothered me and sort of made me dislike him. But overall, I'd recommend it for Chabon fans. Plus, badass dustjackets.
ryanklindsay's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Definitely has some good insights on a variety of reading/writing ideas.
ocurtsinger's review against another edition
2.0
There are a couple of essays in here that are real masterpieces of the form, particularly the pieces that draw from Chabon's own personal history, the more memoir-like pieces. Especially enchanting is the final essay, about golems. Other than these and a few other really great points about literature and our perception of literature, there's not a lot to really hold the book together. Sadly, most books of essays feel this way to me: they're often culled from random stages in both time and development of the writer's career, collected with some vague unifying theme, packaged and bound together as a fresh attempt at marketability for a writer. Yes, Chabon is a great writer. Yes, these essays are all about literature in some way. But beyond that? They don't deliver such meaty or satisfying narratives that the beautifully bound and packaged book would have you believe. I guess I'm setting myself up for disappointment by expecting a book of collected essays to have the same momentum as a novel, but surely there must be a great essayist who can do with a book of essays what some writers do with great novels.
sparrowlight's review against another edition
5.0
When Michael Chabon came to Davidson during my time as student, in 2008, I took feverish notes on his lecture. His phrases were memorable as he described science fiction as the "transvestite cousin at Thanksgiving dinner, his fabulous hat studiously ignored" and talked about his run-in with Yiddish fanatics.
Well, had I known that his talk -- and many other equally fantastic essays -- would be perfectly contained in Maps and Legends, I might have stopped compulsively taking notes and simply basked in his talk. This book is brilliant. Every essay offers a nugget of wisdom for people who feel torn at their love of genre fiction, or just resentful toward the academic establishment for discounting genre fiction books. Chabon has a knack for turning a clever phrase and sits at the border between academic writing and accessibility. He comes across as a genuine, likable writer -- not an easy feat.
I definitely recommend this book.
Well, had I known that his talk -- and many other equally fantastic essays -- would be perfectly contained in Maps and Legends, I might have stopped compulsively taking notes and simply basked in his talk. This book is brilliant. Every essay offers a nugget of wisdom for people who feel torn at their love of genre fiction, or just resentful toward the academic establishment for discounting genre fiction books. Chabon has a knack for turning a clever phrase and sits at the border between academic writing and accessibility. He comes across as a genuine, likable writer -- not an easy feat.
I definitely recommend this book.
caleb_tankersley's review against another edition
5.0
I finally, finally got around to finishing this book. That is, by the way, no judgment on its caliber, as you'll note that I've given it five stars. Mr. Chabon is a writer I've been dancing around for a couple of years. His name has popped up from the mouths of many recommenders. I think perhaps I've been avoiding him because I knew I would like him so much, I'd have to be consumed by it and read everything he has. I was certainly right.
Chabon is funny. He's witty. But more than anything, Chabon is a psychologist, or feigns at one in these essays, which is, in my humble opinion, the key to any good writing, perhaps to the exposed style of the essay most of all. "Imaginary Homelands" is simply one of the best essays I've ever read. I would recommend this to anyone.
Chabon is funny. He's witty. But more than anything, Chabon is a psychologist, or feigns at one in these essays, which is, in my humble opinion, the key to any good writing, perhaps to the exposed style of the essay most of all. "Imaginary Homelands" is simply one of the best essays I've ever read. I would recommend this to anyone.
ericfheiman's review against another edition
2.0
Michael Chabon has always been a little spotty for me—I loved The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and The Yiddish Policeman's Union, but was lukewarm to Kavalier and Clay for starters—and this book feels like a collection of his lesser nonfiction work. Hoping Manhood For Amateurs is better.
hc21's review
4.0
Essay collections tend to befuddle me and this one continued that trend, although more pleasantly than most. Part memoir, part writing tutorial, part short story, part literary criticism, the book finally came together for me about halfway through. Chabon's enthusiasm is infectious, his style light and conspiratorial. Great for writers and literature nerds. Honestly, probably fun for nerds of all stripe.
scheu's review against another edition
5.0
When it comes to love of comics, I'll wave your battle flag, Mr. Chabon.