Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure
by Michael Chabon
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Book Reviews of Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure
Book Review: Wonderful fun
Summary: 4 Stars
I have reacted unevenly to Chabon's previous works. "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay," for example, was nearly a religious experience, one of the very best books I have read in recent years. But I was underwhelmed by both "Summerland" and "The Yiddish Policeman's Union." Thus, I was delighted when I read "Gentlemen of the Road." It is great fun, exciting, funny, and extremely well written.
Set in the 10th Century, Chabon's tale traces the course of a couple of Jews, one African and the other Frankish. They are a great team, terrific fighters and accomplished con men, too. Better yet, they are presented with wild but funny situations worthy of Chabon's talent. Chabon tells us in an afterword that his working title for the book was "Jews with Swords," but that he rejected it because his friends thought it was too funny. Trust me, this is fun, fun stuff. Highly recommended.
Book Review: A Long Time Ago In A Holy Land Far Far Away...
Summary: 4 Stars
After being disappointed with The Yiddish Policemen's Union I approached this one with less enthusiasm. Reading a few sections at a time in the New York Times didn't help either. And the title does nothing for it. Chabon should have stuck to his guns and called it Jews with Swords. But having read the full thing as one piece and not having to wait months for the ending I actually enjoyed this one.
The plot moved fast and kept me interested as did the characters, even if Zelikman and Amram came across (to me anyway) as Han Solo and Chewbacca clones. (Con men conned into helping the greater cause. I guess Jews with Lightsabers didn't work.)
Still give it a try, especially if like me you were turned off by his last one. And hope that Mr. Chabon tries to find a better filmmaker than Mr. Dodgeball if the movie rights are optioned.
Book Review: A romp through the Khazar world
Summary: 4 Stars
Gentlemen of the Road is a swashbuckling adventure set in the obscure world between the Black and the Caspian Seas in the time of the Jewish empire of the Khazars. The existence of such an empire will itself strike many readers as unbelievable, but is historically true. An African and a Germanic Jew are partners in a scheme to make money off fellow travelers on a branch of the Silk Road. After rescuing a teenage boy they are drawn into a power struggle at the heart of the Khazar empire. There follows a series of adventures that while somewhat improbable are never dull and always fun. Chabon writes with a tongue in cheek style. Indeed, he had intended to call the book "Jews with Swords". This entertaining book is hard to but down and one hopes to see more of the partners in the future.Book Review: A wordy romp through the 10th century Crimea
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a fun read --BUT be prepared. The setting is historically accurate and a learning experience - the 10th century religious conflict of what is now south Russia- Jews, Muslims, Christians - all rapacious and brutal. The story is familiar - two unlikely guys wander into trouble and survive by thier wits. The narrative is what is demandingly different. Chabon's style of overlong sentences (one contains 99 words)is freely peppered with arcane nouns that would tax an Oxford lexographer of early language. This slows the reader, and forces rereading to get the story right. BUT, like I said, a fun read.
Frederick R. Andresen, Author of "Walking on Ice, An American Businessman in Russia," over sixteen years in Russian business, six years in residence.
Book Review: Another trip through history and the wild mind of Michael Chabon
Summary: 4 Stars
This short novel is another delightful romp through the imagination of Chabon. The two lead characters, Amram and Zelikman are doing their own thing in their own ancient time. I could not put in down even though I could sense that Chabon was on a lark and amusing himself with this novel. I enjoyed the ride, nonetheless, and only wish that it was longer so I could dive deeper into the lead characters. I wish that Amram and Zelikman could get the same treatment that Landsman gets in The Yiddish Policeman's Union or that Kavalier and Clay get in his The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay masterpiece. This is a must read for Chabon fans, of course, and perhaps we can raise a crying demand for the 1000 page version of the same story.