Helpful Score: 2
Sure, because it's Chabon it's beautifully, gorgeously overwritten...
But...
I don't like his characters when he's not writing genre fiction. Yiddish Policemen, Kavalier & Clay, even Final Solution, Summerland and Gentlemen of the Road all had characters I wanted to read about, people I wanted to spend time with, people whose lives enriched mine. In this book and Wonder Boys -- admittedly, the books that made Chabon Chabon, for most people, he writes about whiners, losers, men who can't make up their minds, men who don't act, or when they finally act, choose wrongly. In genre books it's all about action, so those characters I love.
Your mileage will probably differ from mine, and you may love this book. Enjoy!
For me, I hope he continues to get awards and get on the bestseller lists for his genre fiction, so he continues to write it!
But...
I don't like his characters when he's not writing genre fiction. Yiddish Policemen, Kavalier & Clay, even Final Solution, Summerland and Gentlemen of the Road all had characters I wanted to read about, people I wanted to spend time with, people whose lives enriched mine. In this book and Wonder Boys -- admittedly, the books that made Chabon Chabon, for most people, he writes about whiners, losers, men who can't make up their minds, men who don't act, or when they finally act, choose wrongly. In genre books it's all about action, so those characters I love.
Your mileage will probably differ from mine, and you may love this book. Enjoy!
For me, I hope he continues to get awards and get on the bestseller lists for his genre fiction, so he continues to write it!
Not my kind of story!
We recently moved to Pittsburgh and I was excited to read a book that takes place here by the super-talented Michael Chabon. In a nutshell, it's about a college grad floating through the summer after his senior year before thinking about a career. Even though I graduated from college more than 20 years ago, it took me right back to that 21-year-old perspective. I was fascinated and repelled as the narrator worked his way through a series of bad romantic choices and questionable situations, but it was a fun and different kind of read for me. This was Michael Chabon's first novel, written when he was in his twenties, but his stylistic and emotional maturity were beyond his years.
Being a Pittsburgh native I had to read this. I was really glad that I did. Very Holden Caufield.
One of my favorites.
A very funny and eloquent book-a book that both earns and wears easily such adjectives as "brillant"...The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is a funny, charming, hugely entertaining, and excellently written book.
As always, Chabon doesn't disappoint. A great, easy read about a summer of coming of age. You don't be disappointed (although The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay is much better).
Unique style, well-written, captivating.
library book....great shape!!
Chabon did his BA where I did mine, only years before I got there.
This book is also registered at BookCrossing.com. I hope you'll journal your thoughts when you've finished reading it.
This book is also registered at BookCrossing.com. I hope you'll journal your thoughts when you've finished reading it.
