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The Mysteries of Pittsburgh
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
31 posts | 57 read | 27 to read
Art Bechstein steps out of the library into the summer of his graduation year. Not yet ready for respectability, he falls in with the exotic, charming Arthur Lecomte, and ricochets between a homosexual relationship and an intense affair with a strange and beautiful girl called Phlox. Before long, the world of his new friends and the underworld of his father must collide, with consequences that Art cannot control.
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review
AlexThomas
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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Bailedbailed

Absolutely pisspoor writing here, and I enjoyed Wonderboys. This book reads like an MFA thesis by somebody who read Kerouac too recently. #chabon

CarolynM I stuck it out to the end but it didn't do much for me. I didn't see the point of it. 2y
2 likes1 comment
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Allylu
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Mehso-so

Finished this audiobook this morning. It was about all the crazy things that boys do when they are young. The author‘s note at the end was really interesting. I really like when those are included in audiobooks. The narrator was also very good. #139 #BookSpinBingo #2 #BFC21 #BOOKED2021 Jewish author #20in4

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
Cinfhen Just in time for Hanukkah 🕎 😉I also appreciate and enjoy author‘s notes. It adds a whole new dimension to the story. 2y
Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 2y
23 likes3 comments
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j.rye
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New house. New town. New library.

It‘s tiny, but it‘s mine (and you know, the whole town‘s)

#supportyourlibrary #librarylove #librarylover

review
Chars
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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Pickpick

This book is summertime. This book is growing up. It feels like a mood. Or, a time in your life. This book was recommended to me by a man I sat next to on a plane once. We hit it off immediately and after a 14 hour flight from Dublin to LAX we said goodbye with emails exchanged, nothing more. He recommended this book. It‘s an odd book to recommend to a stranger - almost too specific, a bit risky - it was perfect.

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Leftcoastzen
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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Happy Birthday Michael Chabon! Born on this date in 1963.🎂

plemmdog Wonder Boys has been in my to-read pile... I think it‘s next! 4y
Leftcoastzen @plemmdog I haven‘t read Wonder Boys yet.Need to get to that as well . 4y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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CarolynM
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Mehso-so

This has been sitting on my shelf waiting to be read for 25 years and I'm thinking maybe I should have left it there. I don't know how to rate it because, to be honest, I don't think I understood it. I have no idea why Art made friends with or engaged in relationships with the other characters, I didn't understand his family dynamics. I've never read Michael Chabon before and I won't be in a hurry to read another one.

Cathythoughts Interesting review.. I‘ve never read him either. I won‘t be in too much of a panic about that now. ..... lovely picture 5y
batsy I've only attempted one of his books many years ago and bailed; didn't quite get it either 5y
Theaelizabet Mysteries of Pittsburgh was his first, I think? I read his most recent, Moonglow, and liked it okay, but he wouldn‘t be a must-read author for me. (edited) 5y
See All 7 Comments
Billypar Sorry you didn't enjoy it- Mysteries wasn't my favorite Chabon, but I liked it. The characters made the slower story work for me. The subjects of his novels vary a great deal, but the style is consistent, so not sure if you'd like the others any better. 5y
CarolynM @Billypar I just didn't understand what he was driving at - I'm sure some deeper meaning was intended, but I couldn't work it out. 5y
Centique I‘ve read 3 of his, I loved Kavalier and Clay but the other two didn‘t stand out for me. I think his writing style does appeal to me though so I‘ll keep trying. 5y
BooknerdsLife @CarolynM @Centique I have his other book Kavalier and Clay sitting on my shelf for more than 6 years now😅🙈 Not sure if I‘ll ever get to it ... 5y
69 likes7 comments
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BookaholicNatty
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This is another book I picked up today that was a book club selection. I am catching up on books from February until June because nursing school got in the way of my reading! I haven‘t read anything by Michael Chabon but I have heard wonderful things about his writing. This is a story of a sheltered son of a Jewish mobster. “It‘s a coming of age story that will make you feel good and also take you by surprise” Considered a Modern Classic.

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Sara_Planz
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A few nice finds at the Caliban Bookstore in Pittsburgh, PA. Love finding a couple first editions that just need to come home with me (my luggage was almost overweight!)

LeahBergen Nice! 😍 5y
46 likes1 comment
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litenthusiast
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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#ANewChapter #MyTown This book has been on my TBR shelf for far too long. Technically this is where I'm from. I now live on the other side of the state. @vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Samplergal I loved this book. Many years ago. 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻💗 5y
30 likes1 stack add2 comments
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gradcat
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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This is going to sound extremely sappy, but just now I‘m grateful for Litsy. I think I have isolated myself in the last few years, and now I am aware of just how unhealthy that is. I‘m searching for a sense of community, even a far-flung community, so long as we can share our love of books...and coffee...and cats...and dogs...and rabbits...and we can vent from time to time...how wonderful an invention is Litsy!!
#Gratitude30
#Novelty
@hermyknee

Centique I totally agree! We‘ve found our tribe here I think 💕 5y
gradcat This is a shout-out to the litten I met who has a pet rabbit...I‘ve forgotten your name, but not your rabbit (not sure if there is more than one 🐇). Hope you are well! 5y
Cinfhen Agreed!! Have a wonderful weekend 😊 5y
See All 27 Comments
gradcat @Centique Thank you for understanding...and not finding me too cheesy, lol. 5y
gradcat @Cinfhen Backatcha! 5y
TrishB It‘s a great thing 👍🏻 enjoy your weekend 😘 5y
gradcat Oops, and by the way, not using novelty in the pejorative/diminutive sense...just making sure. I would never refer to Litsy in anything but a positive manner. (edited) 5y
Velvetfur Aaww I love this post, and I so much agree with you! I too have become isolated in 'real life' so I know exactly what you mean about this being our 'community' now. I've made friends on here when I haven't made friends in real life /offline 😁 5y
JennyM All the feels for this. It‘s such a beautiful community 5y
CarolynM Couldn't agree more.❤️ 5y
RohitSawant Love everything about this post! I feel likewise as well 💜 5y
Chrissyreadit 🧡😘😘😘😘🧡 5y
hermyknee 💕 5y
Lreads Litsy is such a wonderful place where readers really care about each other. It‘s hard to find fellow booklovers in real life so I‘m glad I‘ve finally found this community where I feel I belong. ☺️ 5y
HeatherBlue ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Lynnsoprano I tell people that Litsy is a family,and I truly believe that. Yes, we share books and a love of reading, but we share so much more in a positive environment. I feel I can turn to friends here when it‘s hard to share with others, and I hope you feel that way, too. 5y
JessClark78 ❤️❤️ 5y
EH2018 ❤📚🤗 5y
Jas16 ❤️ 5y
Itchyfeetreader Not sappy at all x 5y
gradcat @Velvetfur I think you summed up the last five years of my life...I appreciate you, knowing someone else feels like I do, and I thank you for you kind words. 🤝 5y
Velvetfur @gradcat 💜💜💜 5y
Trashcanman ❤️❤️🤗😊 5y
kspenmoll Your expressed yourself so beautifully- love your collage & your sense of Litsy as family. ❤️❤️❤️ hugs (edited) 5y
gradcat @kspenmoll Thank you so much for your kind response...that seems to be characteristic of Litsy members, their kindness! (And thanks for commenting on my swimming pool as well, lol!) 5y
kspenmoll @gradcat 💗💗 5y
109 likes1 stack add27 comments
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REPollock
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon

Just read the horrible news out of Pittsburgh.

I can‘t process it. I have friends who grew up there, and I thought too of Michael Chabon & his connection to Squirrel Hill. So many dead in the middle of a joyful ceremony.

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

BarbaraBB 💔 5y
AmyG 😪 5y
11 likes2 comments
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Jessicaanne
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Love all the references to places through Pittsburgh but especially love those mentioning my alma mater 💜

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jillannjohn
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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Look at this awesome #hellofrom package from @BurghBookAddict ! I love everything! I didn‘t know Heinz ketchup is made in Pittsburgh. I put it on everything! And look at Mr. Rogers! I love him! Thank you so much! This swap was a blast! ❤️
Thank you @bullbunny for putting this together!

tammysue 🧡🧡🧡 6y
57 likes2 comments
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Wife
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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Check out the Pittsburgh black and gold wrapped presents from @guinsgirlreads Creative and lovely! #hometownswap

readinginthedark Love it! 6y
MicrobeMom Looks great! 6y
75 likes2 comments
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Alicia
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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Omg @BurghBookAddict thank you soooo much for all these amazing gifts!!!! I cannot wait to read these books, they seem really good! I also love all the Pittsburgh goodies! I recently saw the Mister Rogers movie and loved it and cannot wait to use the Funko keychains! Thank you thank you thank you! 📚💓🌃 #hometownswap

Burghbookaddict You are very welcome 😊 6y
MicrobeMom Yay! Package looks great! 6y
68 likes2 comments
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SilversReviews
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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Are you from Pittsburgh? If not, are you familiar with THE PITTSBURGH COOKIE TABLE HISTORY?

If you attend a wedding in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, you ALWAYS look for the cookie table.

My sister found this on Facebook. Thank you to Diane D‘Amore Mangino for posting it.

Pamwurtzler Interesting! 6y
Samplergal I went to college in Western Pa. I attended a few weddings that were “fire hall” weddings that had the cookie table. I think the third one I finally figured it all out. 😂 6y
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Eelijah Black &Yellow! 6y
TheDaysGoBy I‘m the baker in the family and it‘s pretty much gone unsaid I‘m responsible for the cookie table at my sister‘s wedding 😂 6y
Melissa_J My husband and I went to a wedding in Youngstown, Ohio, and a cookie table is a big part of weddings there, too. The amount of cookies at this wedding was insane! We have candy tables around here, at least when it comes to weddings in my family. (edited) 6y
SilversReviews @Eelijah Oh yes...Pittsburgh colors. Never even noticed that. LOL!! 6y
SilversReviews @TheDaysGoBy 😊 Sounds fun!! 6y
SilversReviews @Melissa_J Great to know the cookie tradition is in other cities too....thanks for sharing that. 6y
Eelijah @SilversReviews Ima fan.....🏈 6y
Beck9lol I‘m in Western PA and I had my wedding in Virginia. My planner and reception place didn‘t know what a cookie table was, but loved the idea. Before that I thought it was a wedding tradition everywhere. 6y
SilversReviews @Beck9lol LOL on not knowing. Pittsburgh and surrounding areas know how to “party with the cookies.” 😊 6y
CarolynM What a great tradition❤️ 6y
SilversReviews @CarolynM It is fun. My favorite cookies are the Russian Tea Cakes...YUM!! And at our Italian weddings, we have Jordan almonds and pizelles in abundance. 😊 6y
54 likes16 comments
review
lennthompson
Mehso-so

Love the Pittsburgh references but I‘ve kind of lost interest about 2/3 of the way in. The story isn‘t pushing forward. But I will. Not giving up.

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Allietaylor16
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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Library sale #bookhaul!

LaraReads Great haul! 🤓📚❤️ 6y
LiteraryinLawrence Beautiful! 6y
36 likes2 comments
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cathysaid
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Take my money!!!

For fans of Michael Chabon, his #debut novel is in sale via #iBooks and #kindle . Lots of great deals today!

PrincessLibrarian I took a Chabon class in college! 6y
35 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
REPollock
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Mehso-so

Meh. Suffice it to say that there's a weird narrative departure followed by a straining of the suspension of disbelief, and then a Procrustian conclusion that totes yucked my yum.

Knowing he wrote it in undergrad explains some of that & its success might be attributed to the relative invisibility of bisexual male protagonists when it came out.

I didn't hate it, but I had hoped to add this to the Red Hot Love List. Instead I'm just room-temp.

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REPollock
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This is a plot premise I shamelessly adore: twisted psychodrama among a group of privileged 20-somethings. Plus Chabon! 💙

batsy Maybe I should try this so I can say that I've read something by Chabon. Kavalier and Clay wasn't for me, alas... 6y
REPollock @batsy I'm enjoying it, it's kind of like The Secret History but in Pittsburgh and without (I think) murder--the Chabon books I really liked are Yiddish Policemen's Union and Gentlemen of the Road. 6y
6 likes2 comments
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Jas16
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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Been really bad about photo challenges for the past few days but here are four books with #acityinthetitle. I have only finished the tagged book and read most of Paris Was Ours. #uncannyoctober

SilversReviews Do you live in Pittsburgh? I am in the suburbs. 6y
Jas16 @SilversReviews No. I am in San Francisco. 6y
63 likes3 comments
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Billypar
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At just 24, Chabon wasn't much older than the #youngamericans in his outstanding debut. The characters feel so real: when American writers get coming of age stories right, they can be a joy to watch unfold, free of all the tired tropes and garbage stereotypes that Hollywood churns out. #septembowie , @Marchpane @Cinfhen

Leftcoastzen I love the book and love your post! 7y
Billypar @Leftcoastzen Thanks! 😃 7y
Centique I love this book! Great choice 👏👏 7y
Suet624 Stacked!! 7y
23 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
writerlibrarian
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Mehso-so

Coming of age type of story with few twists and turns. More an inside the head of the lead character that I didn't really like. There wasn't any characters that I liked really. It's one summer of not really growing up, not really choosing your path but more a summer of indecision and choosing the only way that's left to oneself after blowing up the other ways by your indecision.

21 likes1 stack add
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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My hometown, Pittsburgh, is known as the city of bridges. With three rivers, those bridges are all over the city! And authors have been setting books in Pittsburgh for ever and a day. #underthebridge #lyricalapril

celtichik I love your hometown. I could shop in the Strip for days! 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @celtichik It's pretty awesome! I moved away a long time ago, but it'll always be my hometown. 👏🏻 7y
celtichik I lived for years and years in and around Philadelphia. Pittsburgh has the same feel but so clean, and the people are so nice! Everyone is always ready to strike up a conversation, even in museums. Such a friendly city. And the food... 7y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage @celtichik I live in Lancaster now, after a long time outside PA. There's so much to appreciate in both cities! (And I remember when Pittsburgh wasn't so clean ...) 7y
Ericmanciniwriter Great book! I have family in Pittsburgh and have always wanted to visit 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Eamann You should! And I can't believe I haven't read Mysteries. 7y
ReadingEnvy I stayed at the Hyatt at the tip of the land in the middle a few years back. Fun city! 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @ReadingEnvy Downtown is fantastic - we stayed there for a conference a few years ago. Usually we stay out further so we can be closer to family. 7y
Cinfhen Love this graphic and I too have always wanted to visit Pittsburgh ~ my hubby took the kids when they were doing the college tours. High praise from my crew🙂 7y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen Thanks - you should visit sometime. I take it the kids picked colleges elsewhere ... 7y
127 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Bookfaery
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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My_novel_obsession
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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Hey litsians..I am in Pittsburgh for work for the next couple of days...does anybody know of any bookstores in the area I should check out?

Sara_Planz Caliban books in Oakland and Amazing Books on Liberty Avenue. That's my hometown. Enjoy the beautiful 'Burgh!! 8y
My_novel_obsession Thanks @Sara_Planz I'll try to get to at least one of those! 8y
13 likes1 stack add2 comments
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seatea
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I'm a sucker for a good literary accessory, Pittsburgh and Michael Chabon.

MrBook My adopted hometown 😊👍🏻. 8y
seatea @MrBook Hey Neighbor! I work in South Side and live in Greensburg... Small world ☺️🌎 8y
12 likes1 stack add2 comments
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emtobiasz
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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T minus two weeks till the move. Time to study up.

MrBook Safe move! 8y
BookBabe Good luck with the move! They're never easy. 8y
18 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Christine89
Mysteries of Pittsburgh | Michael Chabon
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"Yes, the funicular," said my father. It was one of his favorite words. -pg. 99

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