The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (Masterplots II: American Fiction Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Michael Chabon
- First Published: 1988
- Type of Plot: Bildungsroman
- Time of Work: The early 1980’s
- Setting: Primarily Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Principal Characters: Art Bechstein, Joseph (Joe the Egg) Bechstein, Arthur Lecomte, Phlox (Mau Mau) Lombardi, Cleveland Arning
- Genres: Long fiction, Bildungsroman
- Subjects: Self-discovery, Parents and children, Gay men, Homosexuality or homosexuals, 1980’s, Gangsters, Organized crime
- Locales: Pittsburgh, PA
The Novel
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh follows Art Bechstein, the narrator, from the time of his graduation from college through a summer. During those months, the direction of his life is determined, through a series of intense, interlocking relationships with three other young people.
As the narration begins, Art is particularly vulnerable. He is without the structure provided by his educational experiences, faces the unappealing prospect of becoming part of the adult world of responsibility, and sees the possibility of a fulfilling existence as vague and...
[The entire page is 2125 words long]
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