Which novel by Michael Chabon won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2001?

Michael Chabon’s “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2001.

Published in 2000, the historical novel follows two Jewish cousins who enter the American comics business during its Golden Age. Josef “Joe” Kavalier is a Czech artist and magician who escapes Nazi-occupied Prague, while Sammy Clay is a Brooklyn-born writer. Together they create The Escapist, a fictional superhero whose battles against fascism reflect Joe’s hopes of rescuing his family from Europe.

The novel combines comic-book adventure with stories of immigration, war, family, identity, artistic ownership, and exploitation. Its historical backdrop includes the rise of superhero comics and the cultural changes surrounding the industry before and after World War II. Chabon drew inspiration from real creators including Jack Kirby, Bob Kane, Stan Lee, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Joe Simon, and Will Eisner.

The title is often shortened informally to “Kavalier & Clay,” but the full title is the canonical answer. It became a New York Times bestseller and received widespread critical acclaim, helping establish Chabon as a major American novelist.