An Amazing Adventure Indeed
Book Review
The Amazing Adventure of Kavalier and Clay
by Michael Chabon
An excellent book is a rare thing to come by. Indeed, there aren't many books out there that can inspire awe in readers in every way that a book can. However, Michael Chabon succeeded in doing just that with his Pulitzer-winning book "The Amazing Adventure of Kavalier and Clay".
The story is about two Jewish cousins who lived in New York in the years during the World War II. In 1939, with the last remaining riches of the family, Josef Kavalier's parents had sent him to America to live with his aunt and his cousin in Brooklyn, New York. However, Joe was haunted by guilt for being the only one who escaped from the Nazi's reign. Ever since his arrival in New York, Joe was determined to find a way to help his family escape from Europe. Samuel Klayman, the New York cousin, after seeing Kavalier's extraordinary talent in drawing, came up with a plan on how to do just that.
The cousins created a comic book hero named 'The Escapist' who "roams the globe, performing amazing feats and coming to the aid of those who languish in tyranny's chains!". Thanks to Sam's talent in storytelling and Joe's talent in drawing (helped in great amount by Joe's quite extensive knowledge in the art of escapism), the comic series was a success and a generous amount of money was acquired. However, money alone wasn't enough to help Joe in his effort to bring his younger brother Thomas to America. Frustrated by his many limitations, Joe expressed his anger toward the Nazi German through his aggressive behaviour toward people of German origin and through The Escapist comic book.
The story itself is of high quality. It's the kind of story that has the capability of touching the heart of the readers. Personally, I found that the main theme of the book is about hopes and dreams and the often frustrating limitations and hurdles encountered during a person's effort of achieving those desires. Josef Kavalier's character is the one that symbolizes this theme, and the art of escapism itself is a good metaphor for the shackles and hurdles often found during one's effort in realizing those hopes and dreams, be it physical limitations or even one's own past. There are of course other themes, but this was the one I found at the forefront of the whole storyline. I found myself concluding that the book in general is about Josef Kavalier. But the dedication Chabon put into fleshing out the other characters were very exceptional. Michael Chabon has succeeded in creating believable and likable characters, with excellent character developments. Characters in this novel are characters to whom readers could empathize. Readers could really understand their personality, their feelings, their intentions, their motives. I found myself at one point in the story feeling the same despair that Josef Kavalier felt in the story. In short, you'd think that these people did exist, because they felt so real.
The storytelling itself is, for most of the time, in chronological order. But every so often, during some point in a chapter, Chabon would first outlined the outcome of a series of events and then would later on put into details the preceding events that lead into the outcome previously described. Because of this, in the first few sections of the book, there were times when I felt as if I'd failed to catch some important story elements in the previous pages, only to find out later that the important story elements were to be pointed out later in subsequent pages. After getting used to this style of storytelling, this jumping-to-point-c-and-then-revealing-points-a-and-b style became the motivating factor to keep on reading the book even when I realized that it was 2.30 in the morning. This style had a very positive impact toward the story, an impact that would not be felt if the story had been written in a different style. One would have to read the book to be able to understand this point.
For me, this book is not exactly a casual read. The grammatical structures and the vocabulary used are something that most readers schooled in the art of literature would say as high-browed or high literature. I found myself often pausing and scratching my head trying to discern the meaning of certain sentences, or phrases, or even words. Those unfamiliar with the art of comic books, magic tricks and escapism (for those who are confused as to what 'escapism' refers to, think of Harry Houdini and you will get the general idea; better yet, just read this book) will often found themselves confused at the terms and words used in this book. However, the underlying implications and intentions of the story came through intact, even in the midst of confusing grammatical styles and unfamiliar vocabulary.
The level of detail in the storytelling was also impressive. Take note however, that the details are impressive in the sense that it was not so abundant in amount as to damper the story's progress, but impressive in the sense that it was enough to create a vivid and real picture of the situations Chabon intended to describe. In other words, the minute details help to bring the story to life.
Long-time comic book fans would be delighted to see some of the legendary persons in the comic book industry mentioned in this book (Stan Lee, of Spiderman fame and other Marvel super heroes characters, is one of them). As those who are interested in Harry Houdini would be pleased with the many references made in this book concerning his many endeavours in the art of escapism. Movie buffs would also be delighted by Chabon's nod to the great 'Citizen Kane', a revolutionary movie at the period of time in which the background of the story was set, produced and starred by Orson Welles.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that this book has a life of its own. It's as if Chabon has managed to somehow conjured up magic spells to infuse the story with a soul. It has succeeded in, among other things, convincing me that New York City is one of the places that I have to go to before I die. And a little suggestion: for those who love Jazz, reading this book while listening to jazzy tunes courtesy of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong ('Autumn in New York' is especially fitting) is a perfect combination.
I myself actually have not finished reading the book. There were still around 100 pages left. But I can say this for sure: I'd be enjoying every word of the last 100-more pages. And I'd be closing the book with the feeling most readers would feel when a really, really exceptional book has to finally end. And when I have finished the book I will update this review.
(P.S: I also just found out that Michael Chabon was responsible for the screen story of 'Spiderman 2'. Stan Lee and Sam Raimi really had chosen the right person.)
Update:
I have finally finished reading the book. I must say that I found myself wanting to reinforce my previous opinion by saying that calling this book an amazing adventure could be never be more right. And about the story, it's really is amazing. I might be wrong calling this book mainly about Joe Kavalier, because Sam Clay also played a big part in it. We often find ourselves wanting to escape the limitations imposed by our environment. Wanting to escape from the reality of reality. In Josef's case, he found his escape in comic books, where his imaginations and desires take flight. Maybe it is us who, most of the time, bind ourselves in chains and locks of our own makings (be it our own concerns, guilt, or fears). And at times, or even often, it is through misfortunes that we find our golden keys that will free us out of our locks and chains. Three cheers for The Escapist!
The Amazing Adventure of Kavalier and Clay
by Michael Chabon
An excellent book is a rare thing to come by. Indeed, there aren't many books out there that can inspire awe in readers in every way that a book can. However, Michael Chabon succeeded in doing just that with his Pulitzer-winning book "The Amazing Adventure of Kavalier and Clay".
The story is about two Jewish cousins who lived in New York in the years during the World War II. In 1939, with the last remaining riches of the family, Josef Kavalier's parents had sent him to America to live with his aunt and his cousin in Brooklyn, New York. However, Joe was haunted by guilt for being the only one who escaped from the Nazi's reign. Ever since his arrival in New York, Joe was determined to find a way to help his family escape from Europe. Samuel Klayman, the New York cousin, after seeing Kavalier's extraordinary talent in drawing, came up with a plan on how to do just that.
The cousins created a comic book hero named 'The Escapist' who "roams the globe, performing amazing feats and coming to the aid of those who languish in tyranny's chains!". Thanks to Sam's talent in storytelling and Joe's talent in drawing (helped in great amount by Joe's quite extensive knowledge in the art of escapism), the comic series was a success and a generous amount of money was acquired. However, money alone wasn't enough to help Joe in his effort to bring his younger brother Thomas to America. Frustrated by his many limitations, Joe expressed his anger toward the Nazi German through his aggressive behaviour toward people of German origin and through The Escapist comic book.
The story itself is of high quality. It's the kind of story that has the capability of touching the heart of the readers. Personally, I found that the main theme of the book is about hopes and dreams and the often frustrating limitations and hurdles encountered during a person's effort of achieving those desires. Josef Kavalier's character is the one that symbolizes this theme, and the art of escapism itself is a good metaphor for the shackles and hurdles often found during one's effort in realizing those hopes and dreams, be it physical limitations or even one's own past. There are of course other themes, but this was the one I found at the forefront of the whole storyline. I found myself concluding that the book in general is about Josef Kavalier. But the dedication Chabon put into fleshing out the other characters were very exceptional. Michael Chabon has succeeded in creating believable and likable characters, with excellent character developments. Characters in this novel are characters to whom readers could empathize. Readers could really understand their personality, their feelings, their intentions, their motives. I found myself at one point in the story feeling the same despair that Josef Kavalier felt in the story. In short, you'd think that these people did exist, because they felt so real.
The storytelling itself is, for most of the time, in chronological order. But every so often, during some point in a chapter, Chabon would first outlined the outcome of a series of events and then would later on put into details the preceding events that lead into the outcome previously described. Because of this, in the first few sections of the book, there were times when I felt as if I'd failed to catch some important story elements in the previous pages, only to find out later that the important story elements were to be pointed out later in subsequent pages. After getting used to this style of storytelling, this jumping-to-point-c-and-then-revealing-points-a-and-b style became the motivating factor to keep on reading the book even when I realized that it was 2.30 in the morning. This style had a very positive impact toward the story, an impact that would not be felt if the story had been written in a different style. One would have to read the book to be able to understand this point.
For me, this book is not exactly a casual read. The grammatical structures and the vocabulary used are something that most readers schooled in the art of literature would say as high-browed or high literature. I found myself often pausing and scratching my head trying to discern the meaning of certain sentences, or phrases, or even words. Those unfamiliar with the art of comic books, magic tricks and escapism (for those who are confused as to what 'escapism' refers to, think of Harry Houdini and you will get the general idea; better yet, just read this book) will often found themselves confused at the terms and words used in this book. However, the underlying implications and intentions of the story came through intact, even in the midst of confusing grammatical styles and unfamiliar vocabulary.
The level of detail in the storytelling was also impressive. Take note however, that the details are impressive in the sense that it was not so abundant in amount as to damper the story's progress, but impressive in the sense that it was enough to create a vivid and real picture of the situations Chabon intended to describe. In other words, the minute details help to bring the story to life.
Long-time comic book fans would be delighted to see some of the legendary persons in the comic book industry mentioned in this book (Stan Lee, of Spiderman fame and other Marvel super heroes characters, is one of them). As those who are interested in Harry Houdini would be pleased with the many references made in this book concerning his many endeavours in the art of escapism. Movie buffs would also be delighted by Chabon's nod to the great 'Citizen Kane', a revolutionary movie at the period of time in which the background of the story was set, produced and starred by Orson Welles.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that this book has a life of its own. It's as if Chabon has managed to somehow conjured up magic spells to infuse the story with a soul. It has succeeded in, among other things, convincing me that New York City is one of the places that I have to go to before I die. And a little suggestion: for those who love Jazz, reading this book while listening to jazzy tunes courtesy of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong ('Autumn in New York' is especially fitting) is a perfect combination.
I myself actually have not finished reading the book. There were still around 100 pages left. But I can say this for sure: I'd be enjoying every word of the last 100-more pages. And I'd be closing the book with the feeling most readers would feel when a really, really exceptional book has to finally end. And when I have finished the book I will update this review.
(P.S: I also just found out that Michael Chabon was responsible for the screen story of 'Spiderman 2'. Stan Lee and Sam Raimi really had chosen the right person.)
Update:
I have finally finished reading the book. I must say that I found myself wanting to reinforce my previous opinion by saying that calling this book an amazing adventure could be never be more right. And about the story, it's really is amazing. I might be wrong calling this book mainly about Joe Kavalier, because Sam Clay also played a big part in it. We often find ourselves wanting to escape the limitations imposed by our environment. Wanting to escape from the reality of reality. In Josef's case, he found his escape in comic books, where his imaginations and desires take flight. Maybe it is us who, most of the time, bind ourselves in chains and locks of our own makings (be it our own concerns, guilt, or fears). And at times, or even often, it is through misfortunes that we find our golden keys that will free us out of our locks and chains. Three cheers for The Escapist!
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