WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE
The beloved, award-winning “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” a Michael Chabon masterwork, is the American epic of two boy geniuses named Joe Kavalier and Sammy Clay. Now with special bonus material by Michael Chabon.
A “towering, swash-buckling thrill of a book” (“Newsweek”), hailed as Chabon’s “magnum opus” (“The New York Review of Books”), “The … “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” is a triumph of originality, imagination, and storytelling, an exuberant, irresistible novel that begins in New York City in 1939. A young escape artist and budding magician named Joe Kavalier arrives on the doorstep of his cousin, Sammy Clay. While the long shadow of Hitler falls across Europe, America is happily in thrall to the Golden Age of comic books, and in a distant corner of Brooklyn, Sammy is looking for a way to cash in on the craze. He finds the ideal partner in the aloof, artistically gifted Joe, and together they embark on an adventure that takes them deep into the heart of Manhattan, and the heart of old-fashioned American ambition. From the shared fears, dreams, and desires of two teenage boys, they spin comic book tales of the heroic, fascist-fighting Escapist and the beautiful, mysterious Luna Moth, otherworldly mistress of the night. Climbing from the streets of Brooklyn to the top of the Empire State Building, Joe and Sammy carve out lives, and careers, as vivid as cyan and magenta ink. Spanning continents and eras, this superb book by one of America’s finest writers remains one of the defining novels of our modern American age.
“NEW YORK TIMES “BESTSELLER
Finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, National Book Critics Circle Award, and “Los Angeles Times” Book Prize
Winner of the Bay Area Book Reviewers Award and the New York Society Library Book Award
Named one of the 10 Best Books of the Decade by “Entertainment Weekly”
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A great story, loosely based on a fascinating comic book artist from the 40’s-70’s coming from Eastern Europe to New York City- dealing with the war, prejudice, family, art and heroism. (also, in my opinion, the author’s very best work)
This story begins in 1939 in New York City. Sammy Klayman lives as an only child to a single mother, and one day his cousin from Europe – Joe Kavalier shows up at their doorstop after escaping his war torn country. He is alone and scared, and Sammy does not like that this kid is not a member of his household. Quickly, though, Sammy discovers that Joe can draw. Sammy starts to share his love of comic books, and soon he and Joe are working together making their own comic book series. They come up with their hero – the Escapist – based on Joe’s past of being able to escape like Houdini. Their comics soon become extremely popular. They have their own series, their own toys, their own radio show. Joe stashes all of the money he makes away so that one day he can bring his entire family to America.
Tragedy strikes, and Joe runs away. For 11 years, Sammy and Joe’s girl – Rosa – search for him to no avail. It isn’t until Rosa’s son, Thomas, starts to disappear into New York City, skipping school, to visit a mysterious man at a local magic shop. Soon Joe is back in their lives and everything changes for he and Sammy.
This book was…..okay. First of all – it was way too long. Very wordy. I found myself skimming sometimes just because there wasn’t a lot of dialogue and too much explanation. It is a writing style – I get it – it just isn’t for me. Second of all – I did not like Joe. His character was frustrating and extreme. There was a fairly good size chunk of this book during the part that Joe is absent that I felt could have been eliminated all together. Or at least shortened. It completely derailed the story, and didn’t fit. The beginning, though, and the ending, when Sammy and Joe were together – was entertaining. Sammy is a witty character and had some great lines. He kept the story afloat and moving forward, unlike Joe’s character.
This book is definitely for folks who love comic books. They talk quite a bit about the comic book greats throughout this book and mix true history into the story of these fictional writers. My husband – who is a total nerd for these types of stories – is going to read it next so I will be anxious to hear his take on it.
I’d call it epic storytelling, but that doesn’t seem sufficient, somehow.
I just finished reading this book for the second time and was just as enthralled, spellbound, entertained and thrilled as the first time I read it 15 years ago. I sincerely recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a great story. Kudos to Michael Chabon.
My favorite Chabon book yet. Incredible. I wish it had never ended. I wish I could erase it from my brain so I can read again for the first time.
Best book I’ve ever read. Hands down.
unique, well written story against an interesting historical context
Among the best novels I have ever read. Rich plot, character development. I sometimes spent quality time over one incredibly written sentence. A beautiful book
quite boring
A very interesting read based around the early days of comic books and their surprising relationship with World War II
Seems to be a collection of every currently trending trope. Kind of depressing. Ends abruptly.
Wonderful, intelligent writing about characters I really cared about.
Great writing and great read. Don’t want it to end.
Chabon tells a rip-roaring story peopled with real characters, bringing them and their era and profession to life. Unforgettable!
It was very well-written. Chabon has a masterful way with words. The characters were interesting, set amongst the tragic events of a world war.
The first parts were entrancing – and I don’t even like comic books. The last section failed for me – too drawn out when it was obvious where we were going.
This is a phenomenally well written book and has a fascinating and complicated plot with many interesting sub plots. I learned a lot in terms of history but beyond all that, it’s just a really good story. One of my favorite contemporary novels.
Great read!
It’s the history of comic books as a genre through the personal histories of two enthusiasts over decades of their lives. Chabon’s prose is magical, inventive and very absorbing. It somewhat loses steam by the end, though.
brilliant. worth the Pulitzer it won