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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Okay, the author can weave a pretty good descriptive sentence and has an impressive vocabulary, so plus 1 point, but otherwise this is one of those self-indulgent writer's tale about writers, and in this case he is of the unlikable, indecisive type.
Both of Straight Man and Wonder Boys fall in the academic satire genre, and both follow a relatively short time period of two male academics and their (often self imposed) follys in dealing with academic red tape, students, relationships (personal and professional) and their own successes (or failures). In both books the protagonists are lovable assholes. However, the main character in Wonder Boys falls more on the asshole side and wasn’t as sympathetic as the main character in Straight Man. Maybe it was due to these characters and my feelings for them, but it seemed that Wonder Boys dragged on while Straight Man kept pace and was funny throughout. Pick up the Russo, its really wonderful.
Well, okay. I think I like this Chabon the least out of the four I've read now, which makes me wonder (har har) if I should go back and change my rating of The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. Although, no. I said I wasn't rating books against each other. So, I'd like to give this a 2.5, if I could. The end was beautifully touching, as Tripp is describing his life with Sara post-Wonder Boys calamity; however, the middle just didn't cut it for me. I was so annoyed with how petulant Grady could be at times (read: when he was high), and even Crabtree and James left me wanting more. For the first time, Chabon didn't knock me out of my chair/U-Bahn seat/defensive position at the Haltestelle with his writing. Maybe a few sentences here and there, but really, I expect more.
WOW! Excellent writing. Witty, sarcastic, and full of self-pity - a strange combination that works well. Grady Tripp is not one of my favorite characters but it was an interesting glimpse into a self-destructive twit. The buddy components on the various adventures did help. Some parts (the snake and the ever present tuba) wandered beyond good humor to contrivance.
The topic reminded me of Richard Russo's Straight Man but it lacked the warmth of Russo's characters.
The topic reminded me of Richard Russo's Straight Man but it lacked the warmth of Russo's characters.
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Quick and fun like other short Chabon I've read. However, the content left me at once elated to be part of that fun little group of people, writers, that Grady ruminates on so frequently and somewhat anxious as a result of Tripp's own writing anxieties. May I never try to write my own Wonder Boys (the novel within this novel, not Chabon's actual piece).
In terms of structure, I found myself feeling rushed (and also rushing) because the novel takes place over the course of a weekend. It is quick and restless, and I powered through it in 3 days, seemingly as a result. Because it felt like the action never stopped, I found myself not stopping either. I also found myself incredible concerned for (and exasperated by) the main character, whose past decisions have mired him in an impossible swamp of self-destruction.
While I disliked Grady Tripp for his passivity, avoidance of reality and weed dependance, I still enjoyed the story. I could've done without the ending, which was a little too neat and pretty. I also wish we could've heard half as much about James and Crabtree and all the others at the end as we did about Grady.
All in all, the book was a quick, enjoyable read. Early Chabon is fun, if not quite as fulfilling as later stuff. If nothing else, it gives me hope for what I can achieve after a couple of decent but not revolutionary novels since Chabon's third novel, Kavalier and Clay, which followed directly after Wonder Boys, won the Pulitzer.
In terms of structure, I found myself feeling rushed (and also rushing) because the novel takes place over the course of a weekend. It is quick and restless, and I powered through it in 3 days, seemingly as a result. Because it felt like the action never stopped, I found myself not stopping either. I also found myself incredible concerned for (and exasperated by) the main character, whose past decisions have mired him in an impossible swamp of self-destruction.
While I disliked Grady Tripp for his passivity, avoidance of reality and weed dependance, I still enjoyed the story. I could've done without the ending, which was a little too neat and pretty. I also wish we could've heard half as much about James and Crabtree and all the others at the end as we did about Grady.
All in all, the book was a quick, enjoyable read. Early Chabon is fun, if not quite as fulfilling as later stuff. If nothing else, it gives me hope for what I can achieve after a couple of decent but not revolutionary novels since Chabon's third novel, Kavalier and Clay, which followed directly after Wonder Boys, won the Pulitzer.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I adore Michael Chabon. His characters always jump off the page, ready to be fully-formed humans in the “real world.” I actually disliked almost every character in this novel, and yet I loved the book. With the exception of one side character, I don’t think I’d enjoy being friends with any of these people. But it’s still something I’d totally read again. That’s how good of a writer he is! Every character is so unique and real, even if they’re mainly all assholes in various ways. I could tell there was a lot of semi-biographical details in here, which I’m sure helps its characters and plot points ring so true. Between this and his first novel, Mysteries of Pittsburgh (one of my all-time favorites!), I can tell the city of Pittsburgh has left an indelible mark on Chabon. The story took place all over the course of one crazy weekend, and I enjoyed the pacing. I feel called to watch the movie they made; I think it would lend itself well to the screen. Heads up, there’s some dated language in the first section that reads transphobic today. None of it was malicious, just feels a bit icky at first, before the character was more deeply explored and made more well-rounded. Not that Chabon gets a pass because it “was a different time;” folks outside the binary don’t deserve to be the butt of a joke. Lastly, this was for whatever reason my very first entry on an online TBR list many moons ago, and it feels so good to finally check it off the list!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Drug use, Alcohol
Moderate: Transphobia, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
Somehow this book makes me want to be an author... how messed up is that?! While the film has a 'wonderful' tryst between Tobey Maguire and Downey Jr. *blushes*, it is the beautiful prose of the text that I loved. Mmm.
medium-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes