Superpowers

This novel caught my eye because it is set in Madison, WI, a city I remember fondly from the six years I lived there. Unfortunately, my connection with Madison turned out to be the only real basis for me to connect with the book.

The basic premise of the novel is to explore what would happen if five friends wake up to discover that they have superpowers. Schwartz considers the emotional consequences of the change on the five protagonists and the challenges of using their powers in a realistic world that has never had to contend with superpowers. Predictably, they don't become heroes to all, and the experience is difficult for each of them.

While the premise is perfectly good, Schwartz's answers to the questions he explores do not offer much in the way of surprise, subtlety, or insight. And while the five protagonists are all basically sympathetic characters, they're not developed enough for the reader to become invested in their stories. The lack of any real antagonists also makes the book somewhat flat, particularly given that this is a novel about people with comic-book-style superpowers (speed, strength, invisibility, flight, and mindreading).

I enjoyed the constant references to Madison landmarks, streets, buildings, and the like. If you know Madison, you may also get a kick out of them as well, though they may be a bit excessive for readers who are unfamiliar with the city.