Michael Chabon is best known for his offbeat
novels – such as ‘The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Klay’, and ‘The
Yiddish Policemen’s Union’ – but here he is in self-reflective mode as he sets
out his thoughts on the male condition.
The sub-title says it all – the pleasures
and regrets of a husband, father and son. And in a sequence of forty or so
short essays he covers a lot of ground, extrapolating from his own experiences
to reach conclusions, or inconclusive bewilderment, as appropriate.
Although he’s Jewish (albeit secular) and
American, his experiences resonate with this British, slightly older, atheist –
maybe because I too am a son, husband and father. Even where the common
language divides our nations (a murse turning out to be a man’s purse, i.e. a
manbag) the observations are spot-on.
To give a flavour he writes of childhood passions
(Lego & comic books) and adult dilemmas (what to do with your children’s all
too prolific but largely bad artwork); first loves and lasting loves; and the
pains and pleasures of growing up and growing old.
The style is understated and the humour wry
and self-depreciating, earning this volume a deserved and not inappropriate permanent
place on the bookshelf next to the similarly gifted and perceptive Alan Bennett
and Bill Bryson.
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