Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Book Review: The Wonder Boys I recently wanted something with a bit of humor in it, so I picked up a copy of Michael Chabon's The Wonder Boys. I had seen the movie with Michael Douglas years ago and thought I'd enjoy the book. The book was very good. It tells the story of a middle-aged, pot-smoking English professor, Grady, who has trouble being faithful to one woman. His department is hosting a seminar on writing, and a friend of his from college, Crabree, arrives for the seminar. Crabtree is also Grady's publisher and has been waiting for his book for 7 years. Meanwhile, Grady's wife has left him and his lover is pregnant. His car gets stolen, with his manuscript inside; he visits his in-laws (who don't seem to know that his wife has left him) for Passover; and he has to deal with a student who is a brilliant writer but has no self esteem, and another student who has a crush on him. All over the course of one weekend. OH, and throw in a missing jacket once worn by Marilyn Monroe when she wed Joe DiMaggio. All the while you wonder how Grady is going to manage his way out of this. 3:51:40 PM

© Copyright 2008 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 11/18/2008; 2:48:32 PM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien