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A review by shybane
Moonglow by Michael Chabon
5.0
I'm going to make one of those brazen statements that you regret two or three years later, when his next novel is a complete clunker of text. But, six or seven novels in, for the most part, he has never let me down. So, I feel pretty confident in writing this. At least, I think I am. Ah, to hell with it - Michael Chabon is the great novelist of my generation. There, written in bold. That denotes some confidence. I say this tonight and tomorrow when I start my next read, it may be someone different. But, for now, I'm going to bask in the glory of his greatness.
His language and his voice, sooooo goooood. It compels you to read (the power of voice compels you to read!) He is a master of storytelling and right now, I can think of no one that does it better. And, since I'm writing this to myself, no can argue. No one to twitter flame me. I can make any audacious statement I choose. Piss off.
So much about this book is stunning. The texture he creates with each word he chooses. These words that evoke visceral emotion and create such vivid imagery - yes! Just, yes. Chabon knows the nature of humanity and creates fantastic, simple characters in amazing, realist backdrops. We all know the disappointment when our heroes let us down. But, in the backdrop of WWII amongst the brutally murdered corpses layered upon one another... For this, I have no words. Simplistically, it is anger. If you've read the novel, you know that of which I speak.
Moonglow is a faux memoir of Chabon visiting his dying grandfathers bedside and having stories of his grandfathers past regaled upon upon him. These are stories that entertain and horrify. They each bounce from the past to the present, to the not so distant past. Or from the present to the past, to the not so distant past. Fortunately, Michael Chabon navigates the time travels deftly. Whether we travel from the WWII to a retirement village in Florida, or from grandfather's bed side to the 70's post space race, we are in good hands.
Anyone else have this chuckle? Toward the end of the space race, right before the arms race, when the idea of colonizing the moon was just within reach, but instead the space shuttle program was begun; instead of astronauts, they'd be hiring truck drivers. Sorry, it just struck me as funny
The novels references in era, often called the greatest growth in the human race. It also subtly points out at what cost. Moonglow is brilliant. It's clever and flawless. Like I said, I might wake up feeling differently with another book in hand. (It's the marvel of literature, every book you pick up may be your next favorite)
I'll end with a clip:
Mr. Chabon, this is something that will never be said about you.
His language and his voice, sooooo goooood. It compels you to read (the power of voice compels you to read!) He is a master of storytelling and right now, I can think of no one that does it better. And, since I'm writing this to myself, no can argue. No one to twitter flame me. I can make any audacious statement I choose. Piss off.
So much about this book is stunning. The texture he creates with each word he chooses. These words that evoke visceral emotion and create such vivid imagery - yes! Just, yes. Chabon knows the nature of humanity and creates fantastic, simple characters in amazing, realist backdrops. We all know the disappointment when our heroes let us down. But, in the backdrop of WWII amongst the brutally murdered corpses layered upon one another... For this, I have no words. Simplistically, it is anger. If you've read the novel, you know that of which I speak.
Moonglow is a faux memoir of Chabon visiting his dying grandfathers bedside and having stories of his grandfathers past regaled upon upon him. These are stories that entertain and horrify. They each bounce from the past to the present, to the not so distant past. Or from the present to the past, to the not so distant past. Fortunately, Michael Chabon navigates the time travels deftly. Whether we travel from the WWII to a retirement village in Florida, or from grandfather's bed side to the 70's post space race, we are in good hands.
Anyone else have this chuckle? Toward the end of the space race, right before the arms race, when the idea of colonizing the moon was just within reach, but instead the space shuttle program was begun; instead of astronauts, they'd be hiring truck drivers. Sorry, it just struck me as funny
The novels references in era, often called the greatest growth in the human race. It also subtly points out at what cost. Moonglow is brilliant. It's clever and flawless. Like I said, I might wake up feeling differently with another book in hand. (It's the marvel of literature, every book you pick up may be your next favorite)
I'll end with a clip:
You try to take advantage of the time you have. That's what they tell you to do. But when you're old, you look back and you see all you did with all that time is wasted. All you have is a story of things you never started or couldn't finish.
Mr. Chabon, this is something that will never be said about you.