Maps and Legends: Reading and Writing Along the Borderlands (P.S.)

There's only one problem with Michael Chabon: He needs to write more books for me to read. The first half of this (non-fiction) collection of essays is his writerly take on some of his cherished influences: ghost stories, Sherlock Holmes, comic books, and Norse myths, among others. I found this mildly interesting, but was much more absorbed by the second half of the book, which dealt with his own...more

There's only one problem with Michael Chabon: He needs to write more books for me to read. The first half of this (non-fiction) collection of essays is his writerly take on some of his cherished influences: ghost stories, Sherlock Holmes, comic books, and Norse myths, among others. I found this mildly interesting, but was much more absorbed by the second half of the book, which dealt with his own writing process and the inspiration for some of his work, including "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" (his MFA thesis) and the five years he spent on his second novel before junking it and writing "Wonder Boys". A worthwhile read for people who are into writing, writers, pulp fiction, or Michael Chabon. Other books by Michael Chabon that I love: Summerland The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay The Yiddish Policeman's Union   hide

i love this man - awesome enough to give to a friend as a gift

I love Michael Chabon.

While some of Chabon's essays were interesting, I found the majority to be boring and inaccessible. Perhaps I'm not intellectual enough to grasp the profundity of Chabon's commentary but this book was painful to get through.