The Mysteries Of Pittsburgh

I worry about the future of our culture with these characters being future ageds (note I didn't say adults) Shallow theme and characters! I expected mysteries of my beloved Pittsburgh and instead got near trash I endured 3/4 of the book and gave up!!

`The Mysteries of Pittsburgh' flirts with having a lot to say, but winds up saying very little for a very long time before tossing a conclusion at us that is remarkably deep and somewhat soul-shattering. It is truly a polarizing experience, and one that has me somewhat torn as to how I really feel about this book.

Seriously.

Having read `The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay' and absolutely loving it, I decided that I wanted to read everything that Michael Chabon wrote. He had such a knack for telling a deeply moving and complex story without ever once becoming overbearing or, at the other end of the spectrum, under-developed. I wanted to start at the beginning, and so I delved readily into `The Mysteries of Pittsburgh' because it was his debut novel; his introduction to the world. What I go was a very well written coming of age novel that felt oddly barren in parts only to come full circle in the final chapter with something I didn't see coming (emotionally).

The story told is that of Art; son of a gangster and seeking his own independence from all relative sources. Art is spending the summer in Pittsburgh where he quickly falls into an odd circle of individuals who all make a significant impact on the emotionally fragile young man. There is Phlox, the strange yet alarmingly affectionate young woman who loathes homosexuality. There is Arthur, the homosexual freeloader who desires to convert Art. And then there is Cleveland, the `rebel without a cause' who subjects all in his presence to his wildly provocative schemes. All three are drawn to Art for various reasons, most of which differ wildly from those of the next person. As Art becomes acquainted with and, in turn infatuated with these people, the looming question of his relationship with his father and his deceased mother crowd in on his decisions, and his fluctuating sexual impulses begin to wreak havoc on his dating life.

As the novel progresses it certainly feels as though there is no actual progression, which is by and large the novel's sorest spot. It just consists of various situations that don't really help develop the characters too much. Some will beg to differ, and I can see where some may draw development from the proceedings, but they seemed highly unnecessary and unfruitful to me on so many fronts. The characters, while detailed, seemed uninteresting. It wasn't until the final chapter, where Chabon takes a step away from the interactions to actually explain Art's personal evaluation of his relationships that they all seem to come together in a way that makes fluid sense. That final chapter is genius, and it made me appreciate the novel in a way I did not before that. Sadly, getting there is not always the most impressive ride available.

In the end I can say that this is a `good' book, but it lacks the consistency and the integrated emotional connection that Chabon's most acclaimed novel contained.

There is a coldness here that reminds me of `Catcher in the Rye', another coming of age novel that didn't rest as well with me as it has with so many critics.

What I found most engaging about Chabon's first novel is grappling with what it means to love, who one loves and how one figures this out. Yes, Art (1--there are two Arts), is whiny and somewhat immature and often unappealing, but he seems like a confused teenager, not quite sure who he is. Does he figure it out by the end of the novel? I don't think so, but it does seem like he starts to learn a bit more about the complex, confusing and often contradictory world.

Art (1) meets Art (2). They become friends. Through Art (2), Art (1) meets Phlox and "falls in love". The relationships are not well-developed. Perhaps the novel isn't about the relationships but about Art (1)'s confusion. Meanwhile, Art and Art are also friends with a real jerk and minor gangster, Cleveland who provides some adventure, tension and angst and moves the plot along at key moments. What creates an actual story though is when Art and Art realize they are sexually attracted and act on it while Art (1) still thinks he's in love with Phlox. This takes place in the early 70's (I think), in Pittsburgh, so homosexuality is not particularly tolerated. To add one more twist Art (1)'s father is a major Pittsburgh gangster and Art has some troubles/difficulties in his relationship with him. He has no mother.

All of this kind of convoluted and bizarre plot and people combines to create an almost interesting narrative that never quite makes it for me. But, I do like how Chabon does not simplify the complexity of love and sex.

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh was my introduction to Michael Chabon, and it's been the only book of his that I've been able to finish. I was so charmed by this book that I could not wait to get my hands on all of his other books. Sadly, though, once I did get my hands on them, I could not get into them, not even his most popular title, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. To me, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh was honest, full of heart, and so real. It was truly beautiful, and I was able to relate to the main character. I was expecting more of that in his other books, but they were so different from this one. I know that a lot of people have the opposite experience, where they love his other books and are disappointed by this one, so I guess it's just your taste in books.

"The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" is a unique coming-of-age tale taking its cues from Philip Roth's marvelous Goodbye, Columbus : And Five Short Stories (Vintage International). Art Bechstein, however, is surrounded by a much more complex web of characters than Neil Klugman did in "Goodbye, Columbus". Art faces not only sexual ambivalence, but familial and occupational difficulties as well. A trip to the library leaves him simultaneously courted by an enigmatic bookworm, Phlox, and a fun-loving circulation desk worker, Art Lecomte. Art Bechstein's internal struggle between his love for Phlox and his curiosity for Art Lecomte is further complicated by a mysterious biker named Cleveland.

While the story is captivating, the real star of this novel is the language. Chabon's mastery of the English language is astonishing considering this is his first major work. His literary technique is flashy and impressive, but never pretentious, a complex balance usually reserved for veteran writers. I only wish I had read him sooner.

If reading an entire novel with deep sexual undertones makes you uncomfortable, perhaps you should start elsewhere. Otherwise, I urge you to buy this book without reservation.

If you buy the P.S. version, there is a wonderful article about how this book was sent to a publisher (unknowingly by Chabon) by his professor. He also discusses his early writing technique and some of his literary inspirations for the novel.

"The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" is the novel that launched Chabon's career and while there are certainly some very memorable and well written passages the novel as a whole is far from a classic. On paper the novel has all of the literary elements of a classic; set over the course of a summer the story follows one man in his early adulthood as he undergoes the process of self discovery. he falls in and out of relationships, meets new people and experiences a sexual awakening. There are some very well written inner monologues and imaginative descriptions of both working class and collegiate Pittsburgh and while all of the components are present the novel never really uses them to form a compelling narrative. Instead most the action revolves around a certain character and his influence on the people around him. Why he has so much sway is never fully explained and that sums up my main issue with the novel, it is never fully fleshed out as all of the characters and actions seem lacking in some regard, with unjustified motivations the novel becomes less than compelling. Why does this person feel this way about that person, why did they do that, etc. This is Chabon's first novel and the first by him that I read and while I certainly plan on reading more by him, I would not recommend that other readers start with this novel. I would recommend that readers new to Chabon start with his more recent works and if they love his writing work back to his novel to see where he started from. While at times the writing is great overall I found this novel to be little more than decent.

I hate reading reviews of books that begin, "The greatest book I ever read, it changed my life!" And so I'm a little embarrassed to write that "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" is, uh, the greatest book I ever read, and it changed my life. OK, maybe it didn't exactly change my life, but when I finished the last page and went for a walk, the world was a different place. It was a world of wonder, of possiblity, and I was glad to be a part of it. I'm a Pittsburgher, and a grad student at Pitt, so reading this magical story about neighborhoods I have walked through and bars where I have been shot down had a special resonance for me. The language of the novel is so rich, so beautiful, that I have read and re-read it several times. At times funny, at times tragic, at all times fascinating, it is just a magnificent book. The book is often described, for the most part accurately, as a gay coming-of-age story, and I must at this point confess that I am not gay, not even a little bit. But I still greatly enjoyed reading about the relationship of the two Arthurs, even as I hoped Art would reunite with his wonderfully bizarre Phlox. And I haven't even mentioned the force of nature named Cleveland, or Art's mobster father, or the myriad other delights of this wonderful book. Unlike so many other books written by twentysomethings, this book doesn't dwell on slacker angst or indulge in pointless diatribes about how crummy the world is. This is a book about love, about friendship, about family, and about how precious and tenuous they all are. Like I said, I'm from Pittsburgh, and I love my hometown. Pittsburgh is a bit provincial, it lacks the glamour and glitz of New York or Los Angeles. But Chabon shows that magic can happen anywhere, even in the Hillman Library at Pitt, and that the wonderful mysteries of life can be revealed in the humblest of places. Read this book, and just enjoy the journey.

What a great, fun piece of modern fiction.
This coming-of-age-at-23 story is fabulous for those disenfranchised by education, doomed to be witty, sharp-dressed cocktail party filler, but it is also fabulous for anyone who knows Pittsburgh.
I am a bit hesitant to classify it as Gen X fiction (which is inevitably self-conscious and tedious), but it does conform to some of the hallmarks of said genre: struggle for identity (including but not limited to struggle with sexual preference issues), disillusionment with capitalist endeavours, the death of idealism, the uselessness of designer education for anything but droll coffeehouse chat, etc. etc. But this novel, much like the works of Douglas Coupland who coined the "Gen X"phrase and fiction genre, transcends the usual trappings of post-adolescent identity dramas, due largely to the 3-dimensional nature of his protagonist.
I also like that this novel isn't afraid to show emotion. To much of this genre is trying so hard to be ironic that emotion is subverted into some temper tantrum. Here, though, Art (protagonist) goes through a realistic and normal array of emotion which allows the reader an "in" to the story. It makes the supporting characters more real by extension, even though they have many ephemeral qualities.
Aside from the fine characterization, this book is rich with landscape, and that is also a great strength. The nooks and crannies of Pittsburgh are described richly and with loving affection, and this not only grounds the story, but makes the city serve in the plot and character of the novel. (Like Hardy's heath, so is Chabon's Oakland...sort of.) Now, admittedly, I am a Pittsburgh native, so I found restaurants, libraries, museums, and street corners both missed and familiar, but I think the power of Chabons's love for the great (and underappreciated!) city would play to a less biased reader.
This is also a quick, nice read, maybe for an airplane or a long wait. I found that it was a very engrossing story, and time flew when I was reading it. Strongly recommended.

Chabon's first novel perfectly embodies the sharp wit and developing writing style of Michael Chabon. I had read a few of his stories, but this was the first novel of his I have read and I am a new Chabon fan.
The book has been called a "coming of age" novel, and the bookjacket has comparisons, which I suppose are apropos, of Fitzgerald's "This Side of Paradise." But while Fitzgerald's book can get a little tiresome and stodgy, with the author periodically stopping to show off his writing talents at the expense of his story, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is always a fun, enjoyable read that the reader can effectively breeze through.
Narrator Art Bechstein is recently graduated from college, a likeable, educated but unmotivated guy who takes a job at a dreary bookstore and waits to see what the summer after his graduation has in store for him. Going back to the school library to finish some work necessary to get his degree, he catches the eye of Phlox, an oddly-named girl with overdone makeup and dress but who has a certain attractive charm. He also soon meets Arthus Lecomte, a young gay man who wants to be a foreign diplomat, and who has a knack for getting housesitting jobs. Soon he is in a convertible with Arthur and the cheerful Mohammed, driving too fast in a small convertible that Art is careful not to fall out of, on their way to a party that effectively kicks off the action of the novel.
The entire novel takes place in the course of the summer after Art's graduation, and there is a sense that the events of those few months will define Art as a person - his relationship with his gangster father, his ambiguous sexuality, and his relationship with the troubled and fascinating character Cleveland are all put to the test. Without giving away too much of the plot, I was surprised by many of the plot turns and got very wrapped up in the characters, all of whom I thought were well-developed by Chabon.
Perhaps the greatest joy in reading the novel to me was humor and dead-on accuracy of the observations and descriptions interspersed throughout the book. One reviewer hit the nail on the head when he said there was a precious little nugget of wit or wisdom on every page. When describing the soulless bookstore where he takes a summer job, Boardwalk Books, narrator Art tells us the owners have no interest in the books they are peddling, that it is just "merchandise" to them, and he imagines conversations between the owners along the lines of "What are we going to do with all these books?" You can imagine an antiseptic Book Warehouse, with fifty copies of Vanna White's autobiography or the latest John Grisham thriller stacked to the ceiling. When Art is inside quirky Phlox's apartment, with its crude cat sculpture and its cheap French prints, he decides to rejoice in its bad taste, like bowling alleys and Elvis.
Chabon has a keen eye and a skill at storytelling which shines through on every page of this very successful debut novel.

Reading the other reviews, it seems that fans of Chabon are a little harsh in their reviews of this book ... although it does not compare to Wonder Boys or Kavalier & Clay, the Mysteries of Pittsburgh is a fun read and a charming tale. The larger-than-life personae in this book and the general course of the novel draws immediate comparisons to F. Scott Fitzgerald, and of course while such comparisons will come up short, Mysteries of Pittsburgh is an enjoyable, artfully constructed book full of unforgettable characters.
The themes central to this story- love, ambition, uncertainty of oneself as an individual, the futility of running away from one's personal demons to name a few- are more fully developed in Chabon's later works, but they are no less a presence in Mysteries in Pittsburgh. Others have been a bit dismissive of the "first novel" label on this book, but still when looking at a book and at an author it is important to recognize where he or she started creatively and what direction they have moved in. As such, while Mysteries of Pittsburgh is not Chabon's greatest work by any means, it is a good start to the rest of his books and even on its own merits, is certainly worth the time taken to read it.

Everybody has to start somewhere, and Michael Chabon, who has developed into a first class author, started out with Mysteries of Pittsburgh.
A first novel by a very young author, this book was highly acclaimed at it's release, winning several major awards, and generating accolades to Chabon that compared him to the likes of J. D. Salinger, Mark Twain and so on.
All the hype and awards might seem a bit much in retrospect, as this is not a world class novel either in terms of the writing or the concept. However, it is probably best to remember the time in which it was released-1988-and if you look at the book in the context of those times. That was a time when the fear arising from the confusion and ignorance and politicizing of AIDS were at their height, and the literati no doubt latched onto this honest and angst filled appraisal of the road to personal understanding of alternative sexuality as much for the social vales of the text as much as-if not more than-for it's intrinsic artistic value.
It's not a bad book, but the craftsmanship with words, style and execution pale compared to some of Chabon's later work. That being said, there are nevertheless long sections where the emerging talent is very much on display and the reading quite enjoyable.
I found many of the characters other than Art to be a bit too stereotypish but, then again, this is a first novel and that's not an altogether phenomenon for the first time author.
In the end I was glad I read the book. It did lead me on to other Cahbon works, and that has proven to be a very pleasant journey. My guess is that if you approach this with the expectation you are reading a first effort and don't get too bogged down in the hype and overheated reviews on both sides, you'll end up glad you gave it a go as well.

First novels written by kids in their early 20s who mine their college experience for material are easy targets, especially among other kids in their early twenties who think writing a witty novel about your experiences is as easy as it looks.
But Chabon's talent is no longer in doubt and it is time to go back and appreciate the book for what it is: a fun, slightly dangerous romp through a fun, slightly dangerous city.
Funny, at the time there was talk that this was "the" gay coming of age novel. Chabon at the time in interviews admitted to being as undecided about his own sexuality as his protagonist. Approaching middle age, Chabon appears to have settled into a heterosexual relationship. This begs several questions: (1) Was Michael posing as a bisexual to boost his clout? (2) Are those mysteries of his youth completely solved?

"The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" was Michael Chabon's first novel, and it certainly feels like it.
The writing is delicate, well-considered, and just a bit precious. The epic, pitch-perfect sentences that color "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" are nowhere to be found in "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh." The story is standard novice-novelist fare: A sweetly nostalgiac coming of age story, with an obligatory crisis of sexuality. The book's biggest strength is in its characters. They're strong and memorable, and the conversations between them hint at the flair for whip-smart dialogue that is so prevalent and effortless in Chabon's later works it's easy to take for granted. A few of the characters pop up, albeit in different skins, with different context, in "The Amazing Adventures of Kavlier & Clay" and "Wonder Boys."
"The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" is a very enjoyable book. The characters ring true, and the story, though it tends toward stasis, is one of the best of its kind. For fans of Chabon, it highlights just how much he's grown as a writer and storyteller. It's profound in a subtle, understated way, and while it is hardly as masterful as the novels that would follow it, it's a solid, pretty, consistent effort from one of modern fiction's greatest writers.

I will admit that I view Michael Chabon with some respect. I have read Kavalier & Clay twice and have read both his short story collections. I also just finished his upcoming novel, "Summerland." Therefore, I was slightly disappointed when I finished TMOP. Not that it wasn't good. It is just that I have read his later works, which I can say have put him near the top of the current author crop, and TMOP shows Chabon's youth and inexperience.
While the characters are interesting and developed, they still carry many stereotypes. I also found myself uninterested in the outcome of the book. I didn't really care what happened to anyone. This is not something that happens in his later books.
Anyway, it is a good book and I hope it will work itself into my personal favorites someday. If not, at least one of his novels (Kavalier & Clay) will always be on my bookshelf.
Recommended

This book is most appreciated, I believe, if you do not know much about it, so I will be careful. It is the story of Art Bechstein's summer after college graduation, a summer of maturation and change. It is also the story of his friends, people who think of themselves as very special and important, and Chabon enables the reader to think so as well - one reviewer's comparison to Fitzgerald is apt. There is a lot of drinking, sex and soft drugs, but these activities are there only as part of the narrative flow: the focus is on the characters and their relationships. The characters often have fun, and so does the reader. Chabon has a scriptwriter's talents for scenes and dialogue (he did receive writing credits for the script of Wonder Boys, based on his second novel), and a sprightly, inventive prose style. Mysteries of Pittsburgh is written with a delightful, light touch, while not shying away from the unpleasant. Having said all this, I cannot fully explain why I liked this novel so much.

A lovely book, Chabon’s first novel. There are parts where I felt it was a trifle too obviously contrived, perhaps revealing the author’s inexperience at the time. But the rendition of immature love and friendship is superb.

It is probably my fault for expecting too much of a first novel. After reading Kavalier and Clay, I fell in love with Chabon's superb style and eloquence, and decided to read The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. I was disappointed.
The story is a simple one. Art Bechstein a recent college graduate and the son of a Jewish Gangster, spends a summer working in a bookstore and struggling with issues of sexual identity. The characters are interesting, well crafted and definitely show a glimmer of Chabon's future skill, but the story is not handled as well. In fact, at points the story is downright boring and I only got truly interested in the plot in the last 100 pages or so.
In addition, I disliked Chabon's use of imagery in the book. I realize that Chabon is trying to craft a picturesque and naive image of the world which is aligned with the book's coming-of-age theme and with Bechstein's nostalgic look at his past, but in my opinion the imagery is over done and at times is ridiculously exaggerated.
Bottom line: this is a simple book, with a simple storyline written by someone who would later become a master story teller. If anything, after reading The Mysteries of Pittsburgh I am now even more appreciative of the phenomenal craftsmanship Chabon displays in his later works. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is a decent read, but no more than that.

Long before the movie version of Wonder Boys catapulted Tobey Maguire into the public eye, way before he published his Pulitzer-winning The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, back when he was only 25, Michael Chabon published his first novel, a slim coming-of-age story called The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. It brought him fame and a good reputation at an age when most writers are still diligently laboring in the vineyards of the literary and little magazines. It's a funny, moving book set during the summer when newly graduated college student Art Bechstein tries to figure out who he is and what to do with his life. In the process he winds up with a boyfriend and a girlfriend, gets involved with the Pittsburgh underworld at levels high and low, and has a series of pleasantly picaresque adventures.

This novel will appeal to readers who enjoyed The Secret History or The Catcher in the Rye, or really any good novel about what it means to be young and in love with the world. Chabon's prose is both exuberant and smooth in this book, telling the story with a minimum of fuss. Pittsburgh is on display in every chapter, a real presence and not just a generic setting, making this the kind of novel that residents might point to if asked "what's it like to live here?" It's also a fun novel to read if you've only read Chabon's later work, partly for the pleasure of the book itself, partly for the pleasure of anticipating how he came to grow in later years.

Chabon's first novel is extreme, over-the-top... and a sign of the brilliance to come in his career as a novelist. On top of that, Mysteries of Pittsburgh is a fun and funny book. In true Chabon form, it's hard to tell what to expect or what will come next -- is this a story about college friends, or a summer of partying, or budding bisexuality, or gangsters and gunfights? The answer: Yes. All of these elements are stirred together in this short book that can be read in an afternoon, and relatively successfully. While there are bumpy and awkward moments, Mysteries of Pittsburgh will please anyone who enjoyed Kavalier and Clay or who saw the film of Wonder Boys and wants a taste of the novelist who penned its inspiration.

Chabon writing is deep, funny, thought-provoking, informative, and entertaining all at the same time. I had read a few of his other books before reading this, his first. It is a coming of age story, mixed with so many strange vignettes that make you laugh and cry. He is one of the best at developing amazing and very unusual characters that are totally believable. Read any of his books...they never disappoint.

Before reading this book I had heard point of references ranging from The Catcher in the Rye to On the Road. After reading the book the comparisons don't quite mesh. In fact, I think the best point of reference would be The Great Gatsby. Certainly not in quality, I would never make that blasphemous claim for fear the literary gods would strike me down where I stand, but rather there are similarities in structure. Imagine, if you will, a world where, like Gatsby, there are two sets of couples (Nick/Jordan and Tom/Daisy) as well as a love triangle (Gatsby, Tom, and Daisy). Of course, in Chabon's version Nick is sexually attracted to Gatsby.

Stick with me here. In Mysteries the narrator, Art, enters the social circle of Arthur, Cleveland, and Jane. Cleveland and Jane are a dysfunctional couple embroiled in a good old fashioned love/hate relationship. Art starts seeing Phlox, a rather annoying and unsympathetic homophobe. At the same time Art and Arthur have budding feelings. I'll diagram it for you:

Art and Arthur (sexual attraction)

Art and Phlox (couple)

Art and Jane/Cleveland (friends through Arthur)

Arthur and Phlox (frienemies)

Arthur and Jane/Cleveland (friends)

Yeah, I know that the love triangle is all mixed up, but you have to admit that structures are similar. This leads to an obvious question: were Nick and Gatsby gay? It has been suggested in some circles that 19th century American literature is preoccupied with "blackness", slavery in particular. After all, in a society that claims to put equality at the center of its creed, to have completely marginalized a segment of our population has to affect our national psyche and our perception of ourselves. Likewise, in the 20th century, as gender roles became more fluid, perhaps the idea of homosexuality latched on to the national sub-consciousness. I don't have a whole lot of evidence to back this up, but it's interesting to think about.

Back to The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. Like most coming of age novels (of all ages) this one is light on plot. There is an unconvincing subplot about organized crime which leads to the eventual (albeit predictable) tragedy at the end of the book. Where the novel really shines is in the language and characters. Chabon has always had a way with metaphor and simile and it's impressive he had all but mastered these techniques so early in his career. The characters themselves are whimsical and uncertain. In fact the only character who, my opinion is completely certain is Phlox, and she is certain of her bigotry. This uncertainty perfectly captures the feeling of teetering on the edge of adulthood. The characters are so finely drawn that when characters change their bed-partners it feels earned and not gimmicky.

At times Chabon suffers from a case of aggrandizement, something he would learn to wield more confidently in his more panoramic novels and make his drawback a strength. While this tendency to go over-the-top doesn't work as well in a contained summer of uncertainty, it worked perfectly in the decades spanning Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.

For those with an undying love for the twenty-something coming of age novel, then this should feed your hunger. For those, like me, who fell in love with Chabon's writing when they read Kavalier and Clay, I would recommend seeing how the maestro started out. It's a strong opener to a strong career.

Michael Chabon's first novel, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, proves an enticing read. As usual, Chabon's characters practically jump off the page and his dialogue is both realistic and somehow magical. He captures a manner of speaking through his characters that many of us wish we employed in real life.

The plot, while tightly thought-out and concluded, seems scattershot and unpredictable throughout, which I loved. I think most of us can identify with Art Bechstein, the main character, as he faces his first summer after graduating from college. Like most of us, he gets more than he bargained for, but none of what he expected.

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh feels somehow fantastic while completely rooted in reality. The characters are amplified versions of people you probably know, and the situations Art finds himself in with these over-the-top characters, while not beyond the realm of possibility, are certainly unlikely, and that's what makes this book so fun and, at times, so heartbreaking. You'll be amazed at the inappropriate things you'll find yourself laughing at while reading this work.

While The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is not as complete as Wonder Boys or The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, it is still a must read for any fan of Michael Chabon.

~Scott William Foley, author of Souls Triumphant

I am envious of Michael Chabon. To have the skill to write such a near perfect book for your first novel is remarkable. It is also a shame that this book is overshadowed by "Kavalier and Clay" and the "Wonder Boys" since it shouldn't take a back seat to either of those novels.

The book explores the first summer post-college for Art Bechstein. Chabon's portrait of Art -- the strained and tense relationship with his father, the family tradegy still haunting him from his youth, his sexual experimentation and fleeting friendships makes for a most compelling read -- is pure genius.

Chabon created memorable characters -- Art Lecomte, Cleveland, Phlox and Art's father -- and it was also a masterstroke to keep the setting in the smaller industrial town of Pittsburgh rather than a larger and more commonplace city like NY, LA, Chicago or Boston. The characters felt like a larger part of the local environment rather than one of many nameless and faceless disaffected youth.

The chapter taking place at Jane's parents house while Art L housesits and the the encounter of Jane's dog with their neighbors is worth the price and read of the book alone -- it is hilarious.

This was my second read from Chabon and while "Wonder Boys" made me a fan, I was a little disappointed with this one. Once again, I found the characters were well developed but the bizarre love triangle between Art, Arthur, and Phlox got to be boring after a while. There were moments I just wanted to scream out loud for him to pick someone and stay in their bed for petes sake!
While I won't recommend this for a first time Chabon reader, it is good if you're bored with nothing else to read. Will I read it again - probably not. But I loved the idea of a family of Jewish gangsters. Plus, Cleveland was what made me really want to finish the novel in the end.

In Michael Chabon's first novel, we weaves a tale of the loss of youth and the entry into adulthood. It tells the story of Art Bechstein, the son of a Jewish mobster as he graduates from college and enters the world of adults. The cast characters are diverse and intriguing and you understand completely why Art would fall madly in love with them. Each of them is different - Arthur, the charming gay man who introduces Art to Cleveland, the doomed bad boy and Phlox, the eccentric librarian who becomes Art's lover. Each of these characters introduces Art to a world totally different from the sheltered life he lived with his flawed father. The novel is a classic bildungsroman and allows us to see the evolution of Art into adulthood and his ultimate break from his father's life and control. It is as much a coming of age story as it is a loving tribute to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a firt novel it is lush and the language is lofty and the use of it and the imagery is brilliant. A delightful read which makes us all remember those days when we were finding our way in the world and deciding which path we would take in life.

I give this book 4 out 5 puffy clouds from the Cloud Factory.

This novel succeeds as a nice coming of age story and a great beginning of a wonderful career. The story is an excellent narration of present day society and one person's quest to try to find their place in it. Although in my opinion this is not the best Chabon novel, it shows the promise of a real talent and hints at what was to come. I think the reader who would like this work most is someone who recently graduated from college or younger. This is not a bad thing; rather it is the audience of a young author. Overall, I would recommend this book.

This book is one of those great summer reads...it's fast, funny, not too deep, and is as fresh as they come. No wonder, given the fact that Michael Chabon wrote The Mysteries of Pittsburgh at the age of 23. The novel takes us through one wild summer with Arthur, where literally anything goes. Get a girlfriend! Get a boyfriend! What's wrong with both? Nothing, according to Arthur. Having been a French major in college, I particularly like his one-page generalization on all girls who major in French. Fun read!

Read this book due to the many (unwarranted) comparisons to Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. It's a good book with wonderful prose and beautifully written sentences. However, not near the quality of any of Salinger's efforts. I found it hard to relate to the underdeveloped characters. It also appears as if the author simply got lazy at the end. That last paragraph is pointless and unnecessary and I wasn't fond of the "borrowed" Outsiders ending.

Unlike many of the other reviewers, I had absolutely zero preconceived notions about Michael Chabon. I knew that he wrote Wonder Boys, which became a very good film, and that he has begun to be more academic in his recent work, but I had never read a word of his prose. I picked up the book at the airport bookstore and opened it at the beginning of a cross-continental flight. By the time the flight was over, I had finished the book. I simply could not put it down. It took me through every emotion that I had felt during that first summer of freedom, when middle class children are no longer precious devotees of esoteric educational pursuits, when the quest for brief and highly charged relationships becomes a metaphor for isolation, and when the education received over the past four years rapidly enters the realm of the moribund. Chabon is able to elucidate that quest for something to grasp. At the beginning of the novel, when Art Bechstein first hears about the enigmatic Cleveland and starts to hear the inside language of his newfound friends, Chabon articulates the longing that every young person feels to want to belong, to want to be a part of the shared memories of everybody he considers his friend. He had me hooked after that, and eveything else in the book seemed to be the tale of Bechstein entering into the shared memory of these new acquaintances. Although it seemed odd that Bechstein had not one friend before the summer began, and despite the somewhat graphic description of homosexual intercourse, this book deserves five stars for the perceptive grasp its author has on the insecure mind of a young man in America.

A book that is by turns poignant, funny, cynical and tender.
You can't but feel for Arthur Lacomte (a meorable supporting character if there ever was one, on the same level as Minnie Castevet or Phoebe Caulfield) and you even share his feelings.
Probably I am biased, for I have found and fallen hard for my own real-life Arthur. Truly.
A book to read and treasure for a long time, as on every time you read it, it grows on you.

Chabon's first effort is at once seductive and amaturish. Dickensian characters with names like Phlox and Cleveland, weave a fabric around the story of Art Bechstein in a tapestry so rich and playful, you will hope for a sequel. If Holden Caulfield grew up to be a writer, this is what he would have penned.
I loved it as much for its shortcomings, as I did for brilliance. I don't have the ability describe either here, but Chabon is the kind of writer that immediately inspires you to write yourself, and frustrates with the knowledge you couldn't do it as well as him. This book needs to mentioned more frequently and prominently in discussions of the classics of contemporary fiction.
Think Nick Hornby and Tom Perrota with a higher IQ. Richard Russo with a more prominent sense of humor.

This book is incredibly evocative of the time right after college graduation - I just graduated in May of last year, and it still hits me now when I read it nine months later.

While the writing leaves the reader wanting more, and some of the scenes are over the top, most readers would probably just write it off as an expected issue with an author's first novel. Some might argue that no real person talks like these characters do. To be perfectly honest, I know too many people who talk like this. Furthermore, the characters are so artfully described and the feelings of summer so well drawn that the minor weaknesses of the novel become just that - minor.

The story revolves around Art Bechstein and his exploration of his own personality, dreams, and desires as he meets four new friends in the summer after college graduation in Pittsburgh circa 1983 or so. I refuse to discuss the plot in my review, but know that the sexual nature of the story isn't for all. However, if the topic isn't one that would produce discomfort, by all means, read this novel.

And just to add a tip - two songs are amazing sidekicks to reading this novel (a feat I accomplished in about four days, it being such a quick read, a compelling story, and my having so much time on the Metro). Youth Group's "Daisychains" and Death Cab for Cutie's "A Lack of Color" both accompany the novel perfectly. I would highly recommend both.

Overall, the novel is quite good and reads incredibly quickly. I would highly recommend reading the novel, however, if you have any inclination to see the film adaptation (with Mena Suvari, Peter Sarsgaard, Jon Foster, and Sienna Miller). The characters are likable, for the most part, but still have glaring flaws. It's a great novel for anyone feeling nostalgic for the time of college, or anxious about leaving the best years of their lives.