Based on others’ recommendations, I placed four novels that I had not previously read on the list of options for my Grade 12 University level students’ upcoming multi-genre assignment. Then I promptly began reading them in order to be well-informed before my students give their presentations and submit their papers.
Michael Chabon is probably one of the greatest authors in the world today, so I’m very glad to be introducing him to my Grade 12 class. His novel, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, fits well with my course’s theme of scripted identities, and the particular student that will be presenting this novel to the class just happens to have a penchant for card tricks and comic books! A perfect book for this semester!
I can see why the jacket summary would attract my Grade 12 students:
Joe Kavalier, a young Jewish artist who has also been trained in the art of Houdini-esque escape, has just smuggled himself out of Nazi-invaded Prague and landed in New York City. His Brooklyn cousin Sammy Clay is looking for a partner to create heroes, stories, and art for the latest novelty to hit America — the comic book. Drawing on their own fears and dreams, Kavalier and Clay creat the Escapist, the Monitor, and Luna Moth, inspired by the beautiful Rosa Saks, who will become linked by powerful ties to both men. With exhilarating style and grace, Michael Chabon tells an unforgettable story about American romance and possibility.
After reading the novel, I must say that there are a few things about the book that I hope my student’s paper can clear up for me:
- who was the girl that Josef was hoping to/was afraid to run into? Why? (p. 40)
- how exactly did Kavalier and Clay get a contract? (p. 161)
- what exactly was the reason Josef became an escape artist? (p. 37)
- where is Rosa going with rouge, eye-liner and perfume? (p. 519)
- what is the history of the Golem? what is its purpose? (p. 14)
- who is S.J. Perelman? an author?
- what is the literary allusion being made with “Wakefield”? (p. 578)
- what did early Superman comics (created by Joe Shuster) look like?
Chabon’s voice frequently reminds me of my all-time favourite author, Mordecai Richler. For example, in this passage from The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, I hear Richler’s humour:
Longman Harkoo, though he tried, was one of those people incapable, due to some abnormality of vision or comprehension, of following the movements of a magic act, the way some people go to baseball games and never manage to see the ball in flight; a towering home run is just ten thousand people craning their necks. (p. 335)
This dark and dry, Richler-esque humour of Chabon’s is hilarious and, in my opinion, is even more pronounced in his latest, The Yiddish Policemen’s Union.
I will always keep my eye out for new Michael Chabon titles. And it is possible that my entire Grade 12 class will too.
I’d add one other question:
Why did Chabon add the whole “trek across the Antarctic” sub-plot
This is a good book. For it’s subject matter, my thesis committee made me read it as I was supposed to be finishing my thesis. Needless to say, I enjoyed it, but I didn’t appreciate the stress and speed with which had to read and digest it
Ben, that is a very good question to add. It did seem a little incongruous with the NYC setting.
Interesting that in Chabon’s more recent “Yiddish Policemen’s Union”, there is a similar trek into the wilderness — but, set in Alaska, Chabon’s gone from one pole to the other.