In my opinion, Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavilier and Clay will always be the seminal work of literature that relates to American comic books. Spanning from the Golden Age to the later years of its two creator/characters, this novel is really about Kirby, Siegel & Schuster, Eisner, and all the great events which launched a new era of history.

It's so good, I just can't get over it. I'm often puzzled when comic book readers (who are also regular readers of novels) haven't read it. So I'm curious as to how many here at IMWAN have read it.

Choose the response which mostly closely describes you.

I have seen the book, considered buying it on a number of occasions, but always declined (in favor of buying something else). But, based on your recommendation and enthusiasm, Jay, I'll look
around to see if I can pick up a cheap copy online/ebay/etc. Maybe even throw it on my Amazon
Wish List as a Secret Santa purchase.

I bought if filled with excitement.

I was commuting almost 2.5 hrs by train every day, each way, back then and would read anything.

I got 80-100 pages in. But it was a slog.

and it's one of the few books I did not finish once started.Maybe one day, I'll try again,

It was at Amazon in paperback for $10.20.
Looks like a reasonable gift price, so I put it on the Wish List.
Thanks for suggesting it, Jay.

Hey, that first response to this was my 600th post!
Yay, me!

Yay, you!

I do recommend it wholeheartedly. I agree that Chabon's style can be dense (translation: sometimes boring).

But this is a novel that won the Pulitzer and it is fundamentally about comic books. It is a significant work for anyone that has a warm spot for comics. Chabon has obvious love for them.

Those hacks

I thought it was very good. had a great beginning and ending, but did drag a little in the middle. Is the film adaptation still happening?

The movie keeps getting bumped. Haven't heard anything promising in a while.

I loved it. It's the reason I'm a fan of Chabon. His novel Summerland is a much lighter read, but also quite good.

I'm reading his latest "light read" Gentleman of the Road. Interesting so far, though I'm only a little ways into it . IT's very short.

That's on my list of books to pick up after the holidays, along with William Gibson's Spooky Country and Neil Gaiman's M is for Magic. I've also got my eye on a compilation of all the Zelazny Amber novels and the Robert E. Howard Conan stuff.

K & C was a fantastic read.

Doubting that the movie will ever get made at this point.

Haven't read it. I've read "Men of Tomorrow" for a nonfiction description of the Golden Age in comics.

Is it just me, or were they selfish bastards in the end? That poor kid.

Great book.

That was a good one. I generally read every new book that comes out about the history of comics.

I kind of liked this book. There were long stretches that bored me to tears, though. That tends to annoy me.

I did like all the references to real comic book history. Those parts were a lot of fun.

I'm not exactly clamoring for a movie to be made.

Ah Frank you ol bugger. I wish I could debate this with you. Sigh.

Did the librarian character (Luna Moth) bring Linda to mind?

Well Bat girl so yeah Linda. I thought it was beautifully written, and the character of Joe absolutely heart breaking. And some really funny laugh out loud episodes like the abortive bungee jump.