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sevenworlds's review against another edition
3.0
There are several beautiful pieces in this collection and a couple that I actually loved, but several of the pieces in the middle were a struggle to get through. They had an "old man yells at cloud" quality for me. The other issue I had was that many of the pieces end just as they're starting to get interesting. I enjoyed the writing, but was left wanting a bit more depth.
blairconrad's review against another edition
4.0
Nice. Chabon has a tremendous way with words, and many of his sentences are a joy to read. The individual stories from his life are nearly almost interesting and informative. The good ones are very very good, but for one or two of them I found myself drifting away - those ones just didn't resonate with me. Still, overall a great read, and it was a privilege to be invited into Mr. Chabon's life and to see how he views himself as a husband, father, and son.
bdusablon's review against another edition
4.0
A good read about life and living and fathers and children and struggles and successes.
Real life stories from an author who challenges the reader with his excellent writing style.
"This is our life happening."
Real life stories from an author who challenges the reader with his excellent writing style.
"This is our life happening."
jdintr's review against another edition
3.0
What is striking about this book is its tone.
Chabon's humility, his willingness to explore the weaknesses of his own childhood, first marriage, and fatherhood, make this collection of essays a real joy to read and think upon. A masterful writer, each essay has a spark, whether it's recounting his experiences as a youth, relating embarrassing pratfalls as a father, or musing on the meaning of things.
I read this book in bits and bites, not straight through. There were a few essays that seemed out of place (an elegy on David Foster Wallace was one), and I must admit that, while only eight or nine years younger, I never saw the fascination in comic books that Chabon relates in four or five of the essays.
Still, reading this book makes one thing of his/her own father. I'm not sure if it made me a better man, but reflecting on Chabon's wit did make me a more considerate one.
Chabon's humility, his willingness to explore the weaknesses of his own childhood, first marriage, and fatherhood, make this collection of essays a real joy to read and think upon. A masterful writer, each essay has a spark, whether it's recounting his experiences as a youth, relating embarrassing pratfalls as a father, or musing on the meaning of things.
I read this book in bits and bites, not straight through. There were a few essays that seemed out of place (an elegy on David Foster Wallace was one), and I must admit that, while only eight or nine years younger, I never saw the fascination in comic books that Chabon relates in four or five of the essays.
Still, reading this book makes one thing of his/her own father. I'm not sure if it made me a better man, but reflecting on Chabon's wit did make me a more considerate one.
cassie_grace's review against another edition
4.0
Two things happen when I read Chabon, I feel smarter and I want to be Jewish. This book did both of those and it also made me laugh, made me a little sad, and gave me hope for the future. And I found it used at Kroger for a dollar.
bhouse's review against another edition
2.0
hit & miss. some funny stories about fatherhood, but many stories that i skipped.
wsk56's review against another edition
3.0
Pleasant, sometimes interesting and thoughtful essays about manhood from the perspective of father, son and husband. I've read most of Chabon's fiction and I think he's a brilliant writer. This insn't his best work, but still worth picking up. It's a quick read.
rocketiza's review against another edition
3.0
I love Michael Chabon, but I found this collection of personal essays to be a bit flat compared to his other writing - some of it probably was I had expected a proper autobiography. I couldn't connect at all with the opening salvo about his feelings towards his offspring, and the magic moments of the other essays seemed to be a little too far apart to capture me.
kmatthe2's review against another edition
4.0
I was curious how Chabon would translate his lush prose to the essay, but I needn't have worried. He combines his knack for lively description with a conversationalism that is just right. I'd say 90% of the essays had me. A good read.