306 pages Hardcover (Non-Fiction)
I have read two of Chabon’s other books. I REALLY loved The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. The Yiddish Policeman’s Union was sort of a letdown. I just didn’t get into it even though I can appreciate the writing style. This book is totally different from those two books. It is semi-autobiographical. The book is broken up into many small chapters that focus on a small part of his life. In most cases he tells about something that has happened to him and how it might relate to other people. The book certainly focuses on men and what it means to be a man in modern America, but I think it has enough to make it worthwhile for women.
He talked about the adventures of being a boy. He writes about answering the “drugs” question that came from his 14 year old daughter. His love of baseball comes up a number of times, but relates in a way that made it enjoyable, even to me, someone that finds watching baseball less fun than watching paint dry. There is a lot about being a father and also what is means to be a son.
Chabon has a way with words that is delightful to read. I always take joy reading his interesting similes and metaphors. The presentation of this book is much like a father talking to a son. Here are the things that I have learned. This is what makes life worth listening. Listen to me, it will be worthwhile. And it is.
5 Emotional/Intellectual: The book focuses on what it is to be a man. It resonated with me on almost every page. This could be different for a lady.
3 Style/Readability: Easily read and enjoyable, but nothing groundbreaking.
2 Long Term: Chabon has been critically acclaimed since the late 80’s and earned the Pulitzer Prize for Literature. There is no fear of him fading away. That said his other books are what are going to keep his work popular, I feel this will always be a side note.
10 out of 13. I really enjoyed this book. From the first page to the last I was really engrossed. Any reader with children will certainly find this worth a read and any woman looking to see things from a man’s point of view would be rewarded by reading this.
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