The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
By Michael Chabon
2000
Publisher’s Description:
… a stunning novel in which the tragicomic adventures of a couple of boy geniuses reveal much about what happened to America in the middle of the twentieth century…
…The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay is a superb novel with epic sweep, spanning continents and eras, a masterwork by one of America’s finest writers…
Satan’s Review
What can I say. The last two books I’ve read have been recommended by Hitler, who has a fascination with all things Jewish. So I shouldn’t have been surprised to find that The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay would have Jewish characters and Jewish elements to its plot that touch on Hitler’s favorite subject of all time, the Holocaust. He doesn’t speak of much else, to tell you the truth. We’re all pretty tired of it. He constantly taunts Stalin at outdoing him, but frankly, I thought Stalin was a fine murderer. I took him aside one night and told him so. (In fact, Stalins stats were much higher than Hitler’s.) But Hilter is just plain mean. And Stalin is a little sensitive. Plus, there was the whole Operation Barbossa thing in ‘41. Kind of a dick move by Hitler. I mean, there should really be a little honor among thieves. Now that I think of it, Stalin’s a pussy. Any way you look at it, it’s like dealing with two fucking toddlers. But Hitler does have a great ass. A bit like Talcum Jello.
I like to have one of my Minions read to me at bed time, and Hitler seems to enjoy this. The last book he read me was Sophie’s Choice, and he lent his special bed-side manner to this one as well. Thing is, I got so into this story, that I’d wake up in the middle of the night and start reading it myself. It annoyed Hitler, because I made him start pages from where he’d left off the night before. It jarred his sensitive farfugnugen.
First, let me tell you about the graphic packaging of this novel. I’m talking about the paperback version. When Hitler first showed it to me, I was convinced it was a book from his footlocker straight from the 1940’s. The front and back covers have both been (not completely obviously) printed with a distressed look that is incredibly convincing and was stunningly successful in getting me into the mood for this story. I had to actually look on the copyright page to make sure this was a modern novel, hoping it wasn’t. When I saw that it was, instead of being disappointed, I took a few long moments to appreciate the fine work of James Wang and Phil Pascuzzzo and whatever other craftsman chipped in on these genius piece of art that wraps this book in the perfect package. Hats off to the thought and hard work that must have been involved in this not so frivolous flourish. Kudos also to the author, who I’m sure had to tap dance and possibly jerk off the publisher’s in order to sell this most likely expensive idea. Even Mr. Chabon has a fucking Anapol to deal with (read the novel.)
Okay, this isn’t a cover review, so on to the novel. The story centers around Joe Kavalier and Sammy Clay, two cousins who are brought together in New York City after Joe escapes the troubles brewing in 1939 Prague. The two talented and ambitious young men join forces in exploiting their talents to create artful superhero stories within the format of comic books during the golden age of that art form. Their most famous creation, The Escapist, should give you a pretty non-subtle hint as to the main theme of the novel, as each main character struggles with their own heavy chains and padlocks.
Comic books are a major set piece in this novel, and it gave me a great sense of nostalgia for how far I’ve come and for how little has changed. There are scenes were the Ralph Reed’s of yesteryear (most notably Fredric Wertham with his book, Seduction of the Innocent) rallied together against the evil’s of comic books that were destroying the youth of the time by glorifying sex, violence and perversion. I’d just about forgotten how the Senate (yes, the actual United States Senate) held hearings to get to the bottom of such important issues of national security like; was Wonder Woman a lesbo? She was strong. And tough. And had rope. But she was hot with a decent fashion sense and cool hair. Was Bat Man fucking Robin? Or even worse- vice versa?! I mean, it was two good looking dudes. Living together. Doesn’t ward mean fag? This really happened. Look it up. But it just goes to show you that things are not getting any better and you stupid humans are not evolving one twit. Remember the gay Tele Tubby scare? Intelligent Design – that one cracks me up every time I see it on the Kansas School Board docket. It seems to me that two people discussing Intelligent Design with straight faces kind of disproves it right then and there. You’re all just as full of ignorance, hate and intolerance as you’ve ever been. You’re all a bunch of fucking numskulls who make my job rather easy. And by the way, just to put this to rest. It’s never the media’s fault. It’s always the parents fault. Not to put to fine a point on it, but there it is. That is airtight. Just like Intelligent Design.
Like all novels that tend to inspire and cling to the reader long after they’re gone, this book has the two strong characteristics of a great story, and an underlying point it’s trying to convey. The art is not that the author knows these are necessary ingredients in a great work of fiction, but in knowing how to weave them seamlessly without having the message pound you in the head or get in the way of your enjoyment of the story. Chabon is a master at this delicate balance. This novel contains a multitude of other layers that I couldn’t consciously name, but that provide a 3D modeling effect that turned the written words into a dimensional world in my imagination.
Happily, here is an author who is new to me which affords me the great pleasure of hunting down his other works, which I will do immediately. I feel a good run coming.
To add to my immediate fondness for Chabon, I just learned that his wife Ayelet Waldman is in fact, his wife. I heard of her for the very first time when she was interviewed by Teri Gross on NPR’s Fresh Air recently. Her views on abortion match my own, and it was incredibly refreshing to hear a woman talk with such candor and honesty in a public forum. I am a huge fan and plan on checking out her writing soon as well.
I plan to inhabit (fine, possess) one of Chabon and Waldman’s children sometime soon, as I feel their breakfast table conversation is something that I would probably enjoy. I’ll let you know.
Until then, I highly recommend you get in on the conversation by reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavelier and Clay. I give it a high 4.5 pentagrams. The only reason I don’t give it a full 5 is because Chabon already got the Pulitzer. No need to over-inflate his ego.
Rating: 
