Manhood for Amateurs
Michael Chabon (pronounced Shay-bon, which is not how I was pronouncing it!)
2009
306 pages
Harper Perennial
And yes, as a matter of fact, I did receive this for review at BEA.
This is the first Michael Chabon I’ve ever read. I started Kavalier and Clay a few years ago, but it’s still sitting unfinished on my shelf (for no reason other than I got sidetracked). In contrast, I read most of this book in one evening, and then finished it up the next morning. This is a collection of essays on such varied topics as:
- Raising daughters and the horrific thought of being left alone to teach them about tampons and bras
- David Foster Wallace and suicide
- Circumcision
- Murses: A hilarious treatise on men’s purses. “A wallet is a man’s totem, his distillation. It pockets his soul as surely as he pockets it. The necessary corollary to this inviolate principle is that no man, ever, ought to carry a purse. Purses are for women; a purse is basically a vagina with a strap.” p. 151
- Discussing pot with your children
- An ode to his wife
- Losing his virginity
- The power of radio: “There may be no span of years longer than that which separates your parents’ youth from your own. I heard Prince’s “Lets Go Crazy” the other day, and I could easily imagine, could feel, just how remote the world of that song and Purple Rain (about as distant form my eight-year-old as Bill Haley was from me) must sound and look to a kid today.” p. 169
- Being a kid: “As the national feeling of guilt over the extermination of the Indians led to the creation of a kind of cult of the Indian, so our children have become cult objects to us, too precious to be risked. At the same time they have become fetishes, the objects of an unhealthy and diseased fixation. And once something is fetishized, capitalism steps in and finds a way to sell it. What is the impact of the closing down of the Wilderness on the development of children’s imaginations? This is what I worry about the most. I grew up with a freedom, a liberty that now seems breathtaking and almost impossible.” p. 65
One of the reasons I enjoyed this so much, even though Chabon and I have little in common, is that we’re of the same generation. I could totally relate to his references to a carefree childhood, and I got most of the pop culture references (except for Wacky Packages. I think I was isolated in the boonies of Oregon when those were in their heyday).
Also, Chabon is a gifted writer (I think). I love his use of language, as well as the things he comes up with. Many of the essays were both profound AND entertaining. And despite the title, I think this is a book equally relevant to men and women.
I’ve passed this on to a friend’s husband, and last I heard he was totally engrossed in it.
I haven’t read Chabon (Shay-bon) either. Like you, I started and didn’t finish Kavalier and Clay, but I was just eyeing this one at the bookstore, and it’s on my Nook wishlist. Thanks for sharing since it sounds like something I’d love.
Oh, and I figured “murses” would be male nurses.
Andi´s last [type] ..Covers to Make Me Vomit
I’ve never heard of this! I wish I knew a guy that liked reading
Ladytink_534´s last [type] ..Musing Monday- Favorite Genres
I’m really looking forward to reading this one, and I’m glad to know you read it quickly. I love Chabon’s writing, but I’ve never read his nonfiction before.
I almost got this at the airport this past weekend, but passed it by for some fiction. There’s a wonderful interview with his wife, Ayelet Waldman (also a writer), about her memoir on being a bad mother that’s worth a listen. It’s at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103794433
Caitlin´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday
Oh! So my pronunciation of his name wasn’t TOO far off. I was saying “Shah-bon” instead.
I’ve never read anything by him and I didn’t think I would like this book, but I read the first few pages and actually liked it, so I’m keeping it around for when I want to read some essays!
I have this on my to-read-soon pile, and from reading this review, it looks like I’ll be enjoying my time spent with this book.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon: The Awards Pages
My boyfriend stole this from me, but I don’t know why because he doesn’t really enjoy memoirs or essays. I think I’ll have to steal it back. I like several of Chabon’s other novels.
Kari´s last [type] ..Reading Notes: When Everything Changed, Part 3
I love Chabon’s facility with language. I will read anything he writes!
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon – Review of “The Rock and The River” by Kekla Magoon
This sounds like a great book, and also very funny. I will have to look at it. Love the samples you posted from the book! Great review!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Girl In Translation by Jean Kwok – 304 pgs
This sounds so good! I’m going to google Wacky Packages now because I have no idea what they are and my imagination is running wild!
I LOOOOOOVED this book … I thought it was briliant … funny, deep, wise, amusing, odd … just everything all in one book. It was my first Chabon too. I’m trying “Kavalier and Clay” later this year.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Week In Review – 6/20/10
I so loved this book!!! It was my first Chabon and it was just perfect. Glad you enjoyed it too
Chris´s last [type] ..The Backyard Produce Section 6/20/10
I’ll be interested to see what you think of Kavalier and Clay, when you read it. I thought the writing was good, but the plot just didn’t work for me. I was expecting something more and different than what Chabon was writing. However, I am definitely curious to read this book of essays! It sounds witty and insightful.
Jenny´s last [type] ..Diana Wynne Jones Week: 1 August – 7 August 2010
I remember he said once “Cha as in “Shea Stadium” and “bon as in Bon Jovi.” So that helped me a lot.
Ooooh, I love the little tidbits you offered us from the book. I want it so bad. I also want Michael Chabon so bad, but, oh well…
bybee´s last [type] ..Half of June: Buying
Chabon is a master of language, indeed. I’m going to have to pick this one up–and then pass it around my house of men.
Lisa´s last [type] .."The Poisonwood Bible"
Ok, so I guess I’ll give this a try. I have no idea why but I’ve not been interested in reading Chabon. Really I don’t know why I have never been drawn to his books. I too got this at BEA so I’ll give it a shot.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Audiobook Week: Quick Meme
I am looking forward to this book – I read Kavalier and Clay years ago and really enjoyed it. Glad to hear you liked this one
Colleen (Books in the City)´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon – June 27- 2010
I gave this book to my huzz for fathers day. He likes it.
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