Reviews

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

twotoned30's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

jgtruesdell's review against another edition

4.0

I actually really liked this book. I probably would have loved it if I knew anything at all about the comic book industry on which it's based. I felt for Kavalier and his impotence about not being able to do anything about his family in Prague and then his decent into survivors guilt and his journey back from that. Clay's journey of being a homosexual in the 1940's and not being willing or able to really acknowledge it within himself because of the stigma of the times. All wrapped within the story of the rise and golden age of comic books and their propaganda role in the War and subsequent fall from grace. Which is only now being revived some 60 years later in the resurrection of these comic book heroes through movies. Really fascinating look at a snapshot of time.

bolderman's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

re2's review against another edition

emotional

• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

dfarrell627's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

agenc's review against another edition

slow-paced

1.0

jvk14's review against another edition

1.0

This is a hate post. This book sucked! If how long it took me to finish isn't any indication, then I wish you could hear me talk about it. The book is full of arcane references from WWII time period that I don't even think anyone's grandma would understand. There's no cohesive story and every time there is an inkling of a plot, Chabon goes on a long winded tangent using his verbose writing to talk about something completed unrelated. All the reviews that don't like this book, I agree. That's it. Worst book I've read this year and maybe ever.

suzzeb22's review against another edition

5.0

I adored this book from the beginning. Chabon has a great way with words; using great descriptors and lots of interesting words but the writing is imminently down to earth.
The characters are interesting; the scenario is gripping at times, intense, funny and moving.
The backdrop tells a wonderful story in both Europe and the USA and shines a light on how things may have been in New York in the 40's I hadn't read before.
Kudos to Michael Chabon. I'm now anxious to read more of is work.
In a related story he has written my daughter's favourite book; Summerland.

Yay!

yaniji's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

thepaperbackplanner's review against another edition

5.0

It has taken me maybe 10 years to finally finish Kavalier & Clay. Shoutouts to #BigBooktober for the accountability and group reading chats! I'm so glad to have finally read it, because it is truly beautiful, and sad, and gay, and even hopeful. It's a chunker, but it's worth it. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook — the narrator did an incredible job bringing each character to life. Heed the content warnings, but I truly recommend this novel!

Read if you like...
-WWII fiction
-Comic books and comics history
-Magic and escapism
-Captain America (+Bucky forever❤️)
-Jewish culture and traditions
-Complicated, multifaceted love stories