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Summary: Don't Have to Be From Pittsburgh to LOVE This One
Review: If I had not read Nick Hornby's HIGH FIDELITY this past year, THE MYSTERIES OF PITTSBURGH would easily have been my favorite contemporary novel of the decade (so what if it was published in 1989). I first read this book in 1994, less than a year out of college--perfect timing for Chabon's tale of what can happen to educated middle class kids during that summer when adulthood is first thrust upon them. It's still fresh. Life isn't all stress and misery, though it sure can get weird. Americans of Chabon's generation (X, that is, to use the now passe term), grew up used to a lot of weirdness, and probably too much existential angst--ah, but we had pop culture to soothe ourselves with. And let's not forget those who chose to numb themselves with mind-altering substances. One cool thing about Chabon's protagonist, Art Bechstein, is that he didn't let pop culture consume him--even if it does make him act out his life as if it were all on screen.Chabon's style is inviting and amusing from the first paragraph. His facility and playfulness with the language is always invigorating and sometimes awe-inspiring--he's clearly a better verbal artist than Hornby. THE MYSTERIES OF PITTSBURGH is a winner all around!
Rating: 
Summary: Expected
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I lived in Pittsburgh, had classes with the author, and recognize composites of many characters of the Oakland (University of Pittsburgh) area and time. The author was a gifted writer as an undergraduate, and captures both the essence of Pittsburgh and the "feel" of being twenty-something at that time in an urban area.
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Summary: Giovanni's Room in Panther Hollow?
Review: Vivid writing makes this an enjoyable and sometimes enlightening read. It is virtually impossible to forget Chabon's well-wrought imagery, especially for me the Panther Hollow Cloud Factory, which I saw every day as a little boy while my dad was in graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh. But I never appreciated it until Chabon described it. My only hesitation is this novel's uncanny similarity to James Baldwin's novel, Giovanni's Room. Except for the method of death (guillotine vs. motorcycle accident) and the different locale (Paris vs. Pittsburgh), plot, characters and character development run almost the exact same course. I've never seen commentary on this, but I have to ask, just how much is The Mysteries of Pittsburgh an artful rewrite of Giovanni's Room?
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Summary: The most touching book I have ever opened
Review: I found that this novel, upon reading, began to work its way into every aspect of my waking (and dreaming) mind. I am constantly conjuring up quotes and scenes and comparing them to my own experiences. I recommend it enthusiastically to everyone.
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Summary: Entertaining, moving....hard to put down.
Review: Having grown up in Pittsburgh is what initially prompted me to check out this oft recommended book. Though that aspect certainly adds a nostalgic charm to it, the book is quite well-written, interesting, and moving. I could easily relate to the confusion, awakening, and "being in love with more than one person" elements that the narrator experiences. I'm not certain it will become a "classic" as some have predicted, but it's certainly a great first book by a young author. It had more of an affect on me than any (good) book I've read in awhile.
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Summary: Breathtaking
Review: What a wonder! What a delight! The night I spent whipping through this book was absolutely worth the next day's bleary-eyed fog.
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Summary: My favorite book of all time.
Review: My favorite book of all time, and I don't say that lightly. This is a book with a "voice" - the characters are so compelling, and I was able to relate to them completely. I first read it 5 years ago and I often go back and re-read it. I've probably bought 5 copies or so over the years because I keep giving it away to friends saying "you HAVE to read this book!" And, I confess that it is one of the landmarks I judge my friends by - (don't you do that, wait and see if a friend loves your favorite book as much as you do - if so, then you truly might be soul-mates, if not, well I guess there's a gap in understanding)... Anyway, all I can say is I wish I had written this book. It is something to truly be proud of.
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Summary: Great book, instills a bit of jealousy
Review: Wow...if only I could write like this! At first glance the writing appears pretentious and tedious but within a few pages, Chabon's tone and the strength of his characters, especially the uniqueness he assigns to each, makes his style and pace seem just perfect. He evokes a city, college blues, and the confusion of being young and smart with honesty, detail, and, most of all, humor. The strength of the book however is in the relationship between the two Arthurs, one of the most deeply felt and mesmerizing renditions of young gay love...the ending is especially haunting and poignant.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Good - 3½ Stars
Review: Read this book due to the many (unwarranted) comparisons to Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. It's a good book with wonderful prose and beautifully written sentences. However, not near the quality of any of Salinger's efforts. I found it hard to relate to the underdeveloped characters. It also appears as if the author simply got lazy at the end. That last paragraph is pointless and unnecessary and I wasn't fond of the "borrowed" Outsiders ending.
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Summary: I didn't get it.
Review: I bought this book in part because of the good reviews on this site, and in part because I liked Chabon's recent collection of short stories. Although I liked the style, I often couldn't really relate to the characters.
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