Product Description

When the first superhero went public during World War II, the world responded with wonder. We treated the original superhero like a famous writer or singer, heaping on him the riches of international celebrity. Others came after him, as noble, as mighty. Committed to a fate that set them apart from normal humans, the new superhumans eventually became as natural as pop stars.

Today, long after the retirement of the original superhero, hundreds of extraordinary individuals grapple with their place in society. Are they heroes? Villains? Are they volatile or do they contribute to the betterment of mankind?

Lain Grey is just such a person, but at 16, he's far less moved by his budding powers than he is by sexuality, or his natural mother, who died when he was an infant.

And there are others. Kathleen, the young woman who channels dead philosophers through her dog. Or Vernon Hood, the most powerful man alive, who ducked out of public life to raise normal kids.

Then, there's Geoffrey Gilman, the original superhero himself, who's finding that retirement is an uncomfortable stepping stone to the grave. In more ways than one.

Enter The Superhero's Closet, where secrets, lies, and the shadows of the past fester, giving life to new dangers, new villains, and tragic surprises for everyone.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4381654 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 216 pages

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Customer Reviews

What a pleasant surprise
For a rich story with very interesting characters, I'd give this 4 stars. I gave it 5 because Lynch manages to inject his tale of human struggle with superhuman flair.

This too-short novel features 4 well-drawn, fully fleshed out major characters. Lain is a 16-year-old boy who has three big clouds over his head (coming out of the closet, learning he's got dangerous super powers, and finding his long-dead natural mother). Kathleen is an overweight 18-year-old outsider who turns out to be the novel's real sleeper hit (she starts out slightly irritating, but turned into the person I identified with most strongly). Geoffrey Gillman, who starts out as a very special "cranky old man" becomes iconic by the time we last see him. I'm torn about Vernon Hood, the 4th major character. He's a Captain America type superhero -- incredibly strong, incredibly famous -- who has been reduced to a suburban life, which bores him. I thought he was going to be the central catalyst, but, boy, was I surprised. I'm not used to stories where the main characters tumble and fall as hard as Hood did. I won't say anymore.

Even though it's about superheroes, there's nothing childish or frivolous about this book. It's not dark, but it is spectacularly serious about itself. I think that's why it works so well. Lynch isn't interested in irony, wink-wink gestures, or throwaway pop culture. He's much more interested in people. Whether he likes them or not, everybody gets what he deserves.

Learn to Fly!
H. Andrew Lynch wields language the way his characters use their powers! This is a gratifying and exciting read (indeed, I did so more than once). Characters come off the page to become not only superheros but complete people in the comic book this reader imagines. H. Andrew Lynch imagines a fantastic world with the same exceptional and vulnerable people that live in our world...super and human alike.

Highly recommend
This is a great story about extraordinary people struggling with everyday issues. The main characters are well-developed and the issues they face feel genuine. This gives credence to the superhuman elements, which are a joy to visualize. I look forward to the next installment.