Third Class Superhero
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Book Overview
Charles Yu experiments with form and genre to explore the stories we tell ourselves while navigating contemporary life. In "Third Class Superhero," a would- be good guy must come to terms with the darkness in his heart. A couple living in the Luxury Car Commercial subdivision in "401(k)" are disappointed when their exotic vacation turns into a Life Insurance/Asset Management pitch. The author struggles to write the definitive biography of his mother in "Autobiographical Raw Material Unsuitable for the Mining of Fiction." In these and other stories, Yu's characters run up against the conventions and parameters of their artificial story lines while tackling the terrifying aspects of existence: mothers, jobs, spouses, the need to express feelings. Heartbreaking, hilarious, smart, and surprising, Third Class Superhero marks the arrival of an impressive new talent.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0156030810
ISBN13:9780156030816
Release Date:September 2006
Publisher:Houghton Mifflin
Length:192 Pages
Weight:0.52 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Secret identity of a Third Class Superhero
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
Based on the marketing and a short reading I heard, I picked this up expecting to follow the fate of a hapless superhero. I wasn't disappointed, and Moisture Man reminded me of what comics promised me as a kid. Further into the book, I was surprised to find that the rest of the stories dissected mundane characters with mathematical precision. It was as though I bought a Superman comic and found myself immersed in Clark Kent's relationship with his mother, Lois Lane, and his job. In this, Yu approaches the level of George Saunders at his best.
Superhero from every point of view.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
After writing this little short story about an ordinary superhero and polishing it for many years throughout college, I realized that Charles Yu had done so much that made my story look so ridiculous. His stories are carefully crafted, witty, and highly original. And even though, I feel like I should toss my story, I'm really happy that someone has taken this idea to great heights and down so many fun paths.
Couldn't Put it Down!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Charles Yu's Third Class Superhero is a collection of the most thoughtful and lasting stories I've read in a long time. Yu's work gives a twisted and dry view of the world that intrigues and entertains. His ideas are brilliant and his writing, spotless. I absolutely loved it.
More than you'd think
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
The cover (and title) of the book sells it short, I think. While the title story delivers the goods on a number of levels, the other stories (and the book as a whole) is a more serious project, by turns existential, formal, playful, and odd. One of the better short story collections I've read recently. There's a lot there underneath the book's easy appeal.
can't wait for the next book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
refreshingly original. only wish there were more stories to read. if u want an intelligently creative read, this is it.
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