The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Klay
Michael Chabon
One of the reasons I watch The O.C. (besides my weakness for palm trees and the witty, rapid-fire Sorkin-esque dialog) is that they insert pop-culture references the way most shows sneak in product placements for Pepsi. So when Seth prodded Ryan to read The Amazing adventures of Kavalier & Clay, my interest was piqued.
It was a great book. But more about that later. Kids, I have discovered the source material for The O.C! It's a story about a young Jewish boy who, through a twist of fate, becomes best friends with a distantly-related relative (a tall, blonde, dashing, silent-but-passionate type). The two hit it off, change each others' lives, and, against all odds, become famous by launching their own comic book. The problems of fame ensue, girlfriends are alienated…you get the picture.
Sound familiar?
But back to the book. I've never been a big fan of comic books, but I really like what Chabon's done here. He took the hallmark elements of comics -- larger-than-life heroes, fantastic adventures, bombastic villains -- and translated them, quite elegantly, into prose. He completely recreated the look and feel of a comic book, all without a single illustration. POW!
