Six literary novels invaded by mythical creatures

At B & N Reads Jenny Shank tagged six works of literary fiction that take their mythical creatures seriously, including:

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, by Michael Chabon (The Golem)

In this rollicking story about two cousins set against the backdrop of World War II, Czech-born Joseph Kavalier and Brooklyn’s Sam Clay, comic book artists extraordinaire, just about anything is possible. So it’s not too surprising when the legendary Golem of Prague makes an appearance. In one traditional story about this figure from Jewish folklore, the 16th-century Rabbi Loew of Prague is said to have created the Golem out of clay to defend the Jewish people against attack. Chabon’s unforgettable book concerns a time when the Golem’s help is sorely needed, as Kavalier agonizes over his family’s fate during Hitler’s rise in Europe.

Read about another entry on the list.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay is among Joel Cunningham's top twelve books with the most irresistible titles and Sam Anderson's list of five books we'll still be talking about in 2020.

--Marshal Zeringue