Telegraph Ave is a very interesting read. I think the book could have been cut in half if the author, Michael Chabon, wasn't so interested in showing off his vast vocabulary or handiness with a thesaurus. I mean, some passages are over ten pages long to explain, for example, two boys riding their bike and skateboard down the street. Very long winded bordering on pretentious.
Another issue that I had with this book was that there were at least 10 (I honestly lost count) different story lines going on. This can get confusing quickly. Especially, considering that some of these story lines span generations. Some story lines are left wide open. Or forgotten about all together. No closure in a book drives me mad!
Another problem, well not to me, but to just about anyone out of the East Bay Area (namely Berkeley and North Oakland) is if you don't know the area or local landmarks, you will find yourself getting confused very quickly. This book, to me, is a love letter to Berkeley and Oakland. I grew up here, so I think it is great, but if this had been Chicago, Miami, or Buffalo NY, I would have thrown up my hands and unloaded this book long ago.
Ultimately, I think that this could have been two or three really good books, but too ambitious for one book.
Another issue that I had with this book was that there were at least 10 (I honestly lost count) different story lines going on. This can get confusing quickly. Especially, considering that some of these story lines span generations. Some story lines are left wide open. Or forgotten about all together. No closure in a book drives me mad!
Another problem, well not to me, but to just about anyone out of the East Bay Area (namely Berkeley and North Oakland) is if you don't know the area or local landmarks, you will find yourself getting confused very quickly. This book, to me, is a love letter to Berkeley and Oakland. I grew up here, so I think it is great, but if this had been Chicago, Miami, or Buffalo NY, I would have thrown up my hands and unloaded this book long ago.
Ultimately, I think that this could have been two or three really good books, but too ambitious for one book.
