SOURCE: Younson, Cheryl. “Growing Pains.” Sunday Times (19 May 1991): F4.

In the following review, Younson contends that the stories in A Model World are insightful, charming, sensitive, and thoughtful.

Michael Chabon's first novel, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, inspired a blaze of publicity three years ago, which hailed him, among other things, as the new Scott Fitzgerald. A hard act to follow, but, with his first collection of stories, Chabon has just about managed to justify the hype. In A Model World he retains the breezy style of the first book, a precocious tale of youthful angst and confused sexuality.

Chabon has lost none of his easy charm or adroit observation, but the overwrought agonisings of his first novel have been replaced by a cooler, more thoughtful approach; he has developed a satisfying hint of world-weariness, of gentle mockery. For example, in the story “S Angel,” Ira experiences the stirrings...