The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

Publisher and industry reviews

Jacket review

'Dazzling. Chabon has not so much attempted the great American novel as brought to life the idea that it had already been written -- week by week, in the humble heroism of the comic book.' Independent 'An adventure story that keeps you up until 4am with the bedside lamp on, eager to learn if the Escapist, and Chabon himself, can free the enslaved and lead them home.' Observer 'This is one of those books that makes the reader want to race through to the find out what happens, while at the same time wishing it will never end.' Simon Shaw, Mail on Sunday 'Proof of the abiding power of complex, serious, engaged, but above all entertaining story-telling.' Times Literary Supplement 'A page-turning epic, sketching World War II as seen through the eyes of two comic book writers.' Time Out 'A novel of towering achievement.' New York Times 'Absolutely gosh-wow, super-colossal.' Washington Post 'An exciting, emotional, exuberant delight. Read it.' Chicago Tribune 'Full of the kind of exquisitely figurative language and gorgeous sentences for which Chabon is deservedly celebrated.' The Inquirer

UK Kirkus review

Josef Kavalier's teenage years in Prague are spent under the guidance of his beloved magic teacher who teaches him the art of escapology. But Hitler's takeover of Czechoslovakia spells doom for Josef, although he escapes to America to stay with his Jewish cousin Sammy Clay. They venture into the world of comic books: Sam the writer, and anglicized Joe the artist. Joe engages in the struggle of Americanizing his roots, transferring himself from Prague to New York, from chains to the American Dream as success opens its doors. But his desire for escape, to liberate his loved ones runs deeper than the physical distance of an ocean between countries. Chabon's novel is nothing but remarkable. A social history of the war, of the golden age of the comic book and America, of the refugee, animated into startling, breath taking exuberance in the lives of Kavalier and Clay. This is a book that illuminates the mind and awakens the heart. Joe's magic, illusions and escapist acts are laden with the poignancy of what he is escaping from, as Chabon shows us that the real magic lies in belonging, as the bonds of history, family, identity and friendship are the ones that there is no escape from, as Sammy and Joe thrillingly, rebelliously, tragically and soulfully take on the bonds metaphorical and physical of oppression and prejudice. (Kirkus UK)

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