Third Class Superhero

by Charles Yu

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0156030810
• ISBN13: 9780156030816
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Secret identity of a Third Class Superhero

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.

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!

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

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

refreshingly original. only wish there were more stories to read. if u want an intelligently creative read, this is it.