Mysteries of Pittsburgh (original 1988; edition 2005)

I loved this book. It's a great spring/summer read. I read most of it lying on my stomach on a blanket in the backyard on the most beautiful day in May. Michael Chabon before he was MICHAEL CHABON! A coming of age story full of wonder and adventure and just a touch of sadness. ( )

It's an okay first novel. Coming of age type of story with few twists and turns. More an inside the head of the lead character that I didn't really like. There wasn't any characters that I liked really. Not Arthur "Art" Bechstein, the "hero" of the tale, certainly not Phlox, the young woman or Arthur the young man both working at the library whom Art's heart both love. It's one summer of not really growing up, not really choosing your path but more a summer of indecision and choosing the only way that's left to oneself after blowing up the other ways by your indecision. Not really my cup of tea but won't stop me from reading Chabon again. I have Gentlemen of the Road in my to read pile sometimes this year. ( )

Well, I think this book is a little socially immature..the writing is still of pretty high quality but I would not recommend ever reading this book over The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay unless you're going through a sexual identity crisis. I do like the bit about the Cloud Factory though... ( )

An enjoyable early novel from Chabon. I enjoyed his language while in some moods finding it over the top. For example: "As she moved her hands and head in the still light evening, talking about herself, the pearls seemed to string and restring themselves on the invisible thread of her gestures" (p. 75). In some moods I admire this and in others it tires me. Throughout, I thought of Gatsby and wondered if this were a re-telling with variations. After reading other reviews, I think this perspective is substantiated, so first read The Great Gatsby, then this. ( )

Art Bechstein is finishing up at college and stays in Pittsburgh for one final summer. In the midst of the summer he meets Arthur, who Art immediately thinks is gay and may be attracted to him. And Arthur introduces him to Phlox a girl that is in love with Art really quickly. There is also Cleveland a friend of Arthurs that is an alcoholic. I didn't quite get the plot of the book, but there were really great characters that kept me reading. Plus an unexpected love triangle. ( )