The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

This book took me three months to read. I picked it up at the suggestion of a good friend of mine, read about 100 pages, decided I didn't really dig it, and put it aside.

Three months later, after having lunch with my friend and seeing the surprised disappointment on his face when I told him I never did get around to finishing "that comic book book," I picked up said book again, read 60 more pages, and was hooked. I tore through the rest the same day.

At any rate, on to the book! Kavalier and Clay takes place during "The Golden Age of Comics" and carries on through WW2 and a bit beyond. Chabon tells the story of two cousins trying to make their way in the world and getting into the comic book industry. His writing is very active; you won't see a whole lot of inner monologue and people standing around looking at the stars and thinking. Characterization is done almost entirely through their actions, and as the story unfolded I was amazed at how much depth Chabon was able to put into our two heroes simply by -showing- us. I know every writer hears "show, don't tell" at least once, but he really nails it. It does require some patience though; one of the key characters doesn't really reveal himself until...oh, around page 160 ;).

Matters of craftsmanship aside, the story really is amazing. It's a guy story, really; central to the book are childhood heroes and dreams and how those little elements work their way into becoming a good man.

Just thought someone else might dig it if they haven't read it, and wouldn't be the least bit surprised if someone else here already did. And this is longer than I intended!

Edit: Heroes has an "e" in it. Go figure!