The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

a novel

by Michael Chabon

Paperback, 659 pages

English language

Published Nov. 19, 2001 by Fourth Estate.

ISBN:: 978-1-84115-493-0
OCLC Number:: 255383806

(7 reviews)

One night in 1939, Josef Kavalier shuffles into his cousin Sam Clay’s cramped New York bedroom, his nerve-racking escape from Prague finally achieved. Little does he realise that this is the beginning of an extraordinary friendship and even more fruitful business partnership. Together, they create a comic strip called ‘The Escapist’, its superhero a Nazi-busting saviour who liberates the oppressed around the world. ‘The Escapist’ makes their fortune, but Joe can think of only one thing: how can he effect a real-life escape, and free his family from the tyranny of Hitler?

~from the back cover

28 editions

Jan B reviewed The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon

From Am Graben to The Empire State Building

5 stars

I am no fan of American comic books. Grown up men wearing swimming trunks over tight pants is ridiculous.

However, this has been a most enjoyable read! Prague, New York, Jews, Americans, Germans, war, comic books, masked heroes, friendship, love, struggle, mystery, American dream, Golem, escapistry...there's just about everything. And it is well mixed with a set of unique characters who are believable. Nice intro into the comic books industry of pre-war and post-war US + interesting language-wise, too.

I hope Sammy is happy in LA.

DigitalRob reviewed The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

Review of 'The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

I really struggled with this book.

I've been wanting to read it since it came out and have started it a few times but it never engaged me initially. This time I forced myself to push through the book, and I think I understand my issues with it.

The first 40% of the book is plot driven, not character. The characters have an interesting back story, but they have no meaningful relationships.

About 40% into the novel, we see some relationships start and flourish. This is when I found myself wanting to continue reading. Then that just ended, and we moved back to plot driven.

So, in a reversal of most novels, I found the beginning and the end lacking in meaningful character development while the middle of the book flourished.