Peter Steinberg's Favorite Novels

I first read this book in the Summer of 1990 — it was recommended by the owner of the bookstore where I worked. I think I went back and re-read one more time but ever since, I've been afraid to re-read it... what happens if it doesn't live up to my memories how amazing it was??

This book, and the second in the trilogy, tell the story of a very, very bright boy growing up on a family farm in rural Georgia during the Great Depression.

While it started a little slow — I recall questioning the book for about 50 pages — it soon picked up and then held my attention straight through for all 1,000+ pages of the trilogy. As an added bonus, it's not only one of my favorite books of all time, it's also one of the funniest books I've ever read.

Three of the major sub-currents running through this book are New York City, the comic book industry of the 1940s and Judaism. Being a Jewish life-long fan of comic books who lives in New York City... well the book was more or less written just for me. It would be selfish of me not to share it with you though — it's an excellent, Pulitzer-prize winning book. Extremely well-developed characters, a great love story, a pretty big surprise a good way through... and I don't know how Chabon does it, but somehow he gives the entire tone of the book that sort of broad-shouldered, thugs and dames, Tracy/Hepburn movie feel.

Jessi W. from Michigan says:

You should click here for more on this book

I recently described this book as "a big hot mess of a novel". Set in New York City during the glamorous post-war mid 20th century, it's the story of a wildly popular young new author. Sort of a Hemingway meets... Wouk? Regardless of plot, it's a page-turner that will keep you up until the wee hours.

Tristan Colson says:

Rise Keller from Boulder says: