The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was so close to being my favorite book of all time but it just couldn’t dethrone A Confederacy of Dunces. Before anyone gets confused, these two books are nothing alike so don’t think I’m comparing them. Anyway, the story of Kavalier and Clay is one of family, loss, and self-discovery.
Joe Kavalier and Sammy Clay are comic artists in New York City before, during, and after American involvement in World War 2.
The story of Kavalier feels more tied to reality. Throughout the book, he is just looking for something tangible to give his anger and frustrations an outlet. He feels guilt for being the only member of his family to escape Czechoslovakia and escape the Nazis. His success in America furthers that guilt because it should be something he shares with his family and can’t even fight them as an American until Pearl Harbor.
His partner and cousin, Sam, on the other hand, supports Kavalier’s fight but never feels the same burden as Joe who is not just trying to fight for and save the Jewish people, but specifically his family.
It’s a whirlwind of emotions and well worth the read.
R.K. Gold 