Friday, June 22, 2018

The Summer of Chabon

 
Every summer, I seem to find more reading time, which means I finish a disproportionate amount of books over these balmy, relaxed months. Also, I like to have some sort of summer reading project. Maybe I choose a large tome that seemed overwhelming the rest of the year; perhaps I embark on a series. I spent one summer with Hilary Mantel, another with David McCullough (and, indirectly, John Adams et al.). Last summer, I went with classics: a collection of Chekhov stories and The Golden Bowl by Henry James (Ugh. An endlessly tough and torturous read. Wish I could remember which online friend named it as a favorite, thanks so much!).
 
This year, I’m woefully behind my usual rate of reading. It’s been a tough start to 2018 and for a couple of months, I didn’t read much at all. But now I’m raring to go, ready to dive in and although I love me some short stories, I’m feeling especially ready to dive into novels. Preferably long, immersive novels. So I took a look at my shelves and decided to christen the summer of 2018 as The Summer of Chabon.
 
My reasons? They’re not particularly complicated or particularly contemplated. First, I already had two of these books on my shelf. Second, I loved The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, one of the novels I've probably recommended most frequently over the years. I don't recommend books very often but when I do, this one seems to crop up for various reasons, for various people. I also liked The Mysteries of Pittsburgh very much. Third, a very astute friend loves Michael Chabon (looking at you, Genelle) and, in fact, gave me one of these books.
 
So I’m embarking on reading these 1672 pages of Chabon fiction, although we are already almost at the end of June. Which leaves me two months, basically, so one novel every two weeks. Yes, I know there are other Chabon books (novels, stories, essays, etc.); these are the ones I picked. I’ll probably proceed in chronological order, beginning with Wonder Boys. And I may even delight you with my assessments and progress as I go along. Without further ado, thus begins The Summer of Chabon!

2 comments:

  1. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is one of my top five favorite books of all time. I probably have to take into account that I read it at a time of my life when it was appropriate, as a coming-of-age novel. But the language...and the story, the characters... they all stay with me. And I agree with your assessment of Kavalier and Clay as well. I have read Wonder Boys but none of the others (although I do own them all, as you might suspect!). Perhaps I should join you on your Summer of Chabon quest? :) (I also adored Ms. Mantel, as you know. Have you read anything by Annie Proulx? I loved The Shipping News (and, yes, Brokeback Mt. is a glorious read), and my current long read is her novel Barkskins -- coming in at over 700 pp.)

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  2. I thought you had read Yiddish Policemen's too? But YES, join me for the Chabonfest! Should be done with Wonder Boys in a couple weeks if I can keep to schedule :-). If.

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"As soon as we express something, we devalue it strangely. We believe ourselves to have dived down into the depths of the abyss, and when we once again reach the surface, the drops of water on our pale fingertips no longer resemble the ocean from which they came...Nevertheless, the treasure shimmers in the darkness unchanged." ---Franz Kafka