I thought the first half of 'Fortress of Solitude' was amazing, but felt it wained a bit in the second half.

For the first half alone, I'd recommend it (other than this and 'Motherless Brooklyn', I've not managed to get on with any of Lethem's other books, but I also thought The Yiddish Policemen's Union was really good).

to the extent of trying a couple more Lethems which were nowhere near as good. However I am a comics geek and fascinated with hip hop culture, so 'Fortress' is more or less tailor-made for me. Even if you don't care about either of these subjects, the book will help you understand them and it's a beautifully-written, compassionate character tale too. I would recommend it without reservation.

Chabon: you mean you're a WORD reader and you haven't read the absolutely fantastic 'Kavalier & Clay' yet? For shame. As Tim Westwood would say, "you need this book in your LIFE!"

much prefer Motherless Brooklyn.

Also found the Yiddish Policeman's Union relatively tough going, but love Kavalier & Clay (see Andrew H's recc above) and Wonder Boys, so am prepared to cut Chabon some slack.

In case you're interested in other recommendations, can I suggest the following:
- Glen David Gold's 'Carter Beats The Devil'
- 'Contortionist's Handbook' or 'Dermaphoria' by Craig Clevenger
- 'Water for Elephants' by Sara Gruen

I shall give Fortress a whirl, then. Thanks for the thoughts.

Have indeed read Kavalier & Clay, after seeing it mentioned in the Word Worst/Best books list several years back. Loved it. Grew up reading Marvel and DC, so also enjoyed the parallels with the history of comics (and the Jewish subtexts within). Actually thought Wonder Boys was better by a nose, though, simply because it was taut, at times very funny, and I thought the prose was that bit more electric. Manhood for Amateurs, despite being a collection of journalistic pieces, looked to have some classic Chabon lines going on; stood in Waterstones on Oxford Street not wanting to put it back on the shelf. Damn you unemployment!

Many thanks for the recommendations, Robram. Like the look of Carter Beats The Devil and Water For Elephants, and they've gone onto the Amazon wish-list. I'm currently re-reading Amis' Yellow Dog after enjoying The Pregnant Widow more than I expected. The prose style seems far easier this time, whereas when I tried it upon release it scrambled my head (and I thought he'd lost his).

for the first half, while the second half is in a completely different lighter style. It has some nice magic realism touches, but quite frankly if you didn't like the Chabon, not sure if you'll get on with this one.

Has anyone tried Sunnyside, Glenn David Gold's belated follow-up to Carter Beats The Devil? I adored Carter - I remember slowing my reading speed on the last handful of pages as I didn't want to lose that world - and yet I'm dithering about this one.

Sunnyside isn't quite as good as the majestic Carter - there are 3 separate stories on the go throughout the novel and it is irritating to be getting hooked in by one story only to be taken away from it - but the Charlie Chaplin thread which makes up the bulk of the book is wonderful.

(Also like Fortress Of Solitude and all of the Chabon books mentioned. This makes me sound well-read. In fact, they constitute most of the good novels I have read in the last decade.)