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: Entertainment
Summary: 4 Stars
While this novel is definately not a thought provoking masterpiece, of the kind attributable to a Salmon Rushdie, Italo Calvino, or Borges, it is not meant to be. This novel is an adventure, not an abstract art, but solidly entertaining and intelligent throughout. While the concept of Khazar Jews is not widely known, beyond racists that use it as a reason to hate Ashkenazi Jews. While genetics has disproven this use of Khazar Jews, the story of this interesting culture has been reborn by Chabon, to his credit. If you want a story with insights into a unique culture, plenty of entertaining action, and comedy. You will enjoy this lighthearted, but intelligent read.Book Review: Not up to Chabon's usual excellent standard
Summary: 2 Stars
I generally love books by Michael Chabon (and I've read a lot of them), so I was very disappointed when I didn't like this one. It's an old-fashioned adventure story about two traveling Jews (one thin and fair, the other thick and dark) who are quick to join any fight they encounter on the road. The story is intricate, and the prose is even more intricate. Chabon's linguistic gymnastics didn't make up for the lack of character development and the formulaic plot. I get the sense this was a quickly-written experiment published between major works. Had Chabon not been the author, I don't think this would've been publised at all.Book Review: Bring your dictionary
Summary: 4 Stars
This latest offering from Chabon is a small but witty read. His impressive knowledge and mastery of the English language really shines, and I appreciate the fact that he did not "dumb it down" for the masses. This book isn't necessarily intended for the average Joe who just wants to sit down and lose himself in a formulaic cookie-cutter story line. Despite its brevity, it will require a disproportionate amount of time to fully digest. Again, much appreciated. It is rare for me to find a book that I would read a second time, but this one practically demands it.Book Review: America's Greatest Living Author Has a Misadventure
Summary: 2 Stars
If you follow my reviews, you know that I ardently proclaim Michael Chabon as America's greatest contemporary writer. Sometimes he demands a bit more effort on my part as a reader, but he's never outright disappointed me.
Until now.
I truly hate to say this, but Gentlemen of the Road was utterly incomprehensible and, worst of all, completely dull.
Forgive me, Mr. Chabon, but I do not recommend anyone read this book.
~Scott William Foley, author of Souls Triumphant
Book Review: The Emperor's Clothes Have Disappeared
Summary: 2 Stars
Michael Chabon's literary output has provided him a strong cache of goodwill from his publishers, giving him the freedom to put out this trifle of a book with overly-stylized language and poorly-sequenced action sequences. While some say this harkens back to the glorious days of adventure writing, I found it to be devoid of charm or suspense.
Read Dumas' masterworks "The Three Musketeers," "The Count of Monte Cristo," and "The Man in the Iron Mask" if you'd really like an old-style adventure yarn.