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maxjgraham's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
leticatz's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
lumpycustard's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
moviebuffkt's review
3.0
Really enjoyed this book. A quick read, and the troubles of Norman and his family are told in a really eloquent way. Looking forward to discussing it in book club!
Updated: Book Club Discussion
Publisher's description: "Norman is the clever one of a close-knit Jewish family in the East End of London. Infant prodigy; brilliant barrister; the apple of his parent’s eyes … until at forty-one he becomes a drug addict, confined to his bedroom, at the mercy of his hallucinations and paranoia. For Norman, his committal to a mental hospital represents the ultimate act of betrayal. For Rabbi Zweck, Norman’s father, his son’s deterioration is a bitter reminder of his own guilt and failure. Only Bella, the unmarried sister, still in her childhood white ankle socks, can reach across the abyss of pain to bring father and son the elusive peace which they both so desperately crave."
I found this book to be a much more enjoyable read than "Something to Answer For". The nature of Norman's illness made for an interesting read (unlike the frustrations of trying to sort out Townrow's mumbo-jumbo!).
Norman: Was Norman crazy or just an addict? Norman certainly had his share of tragedies, and was not an innocent in terms of his family's problems, but I still wonder about his ailments. He obviously had a drug problem, he was hiding drugs, and hallucinating constantly. This was driving him to madness, but I don't know if I would say he was "crazy."
Rabbi Zweck: I found the Rabbi an incredibly endearing character. He loved his family but in respecting his wife's wishes, he continued their suffering even after her death. How did you feel about the Rabbi? Was his death the "closure" that the novel needed? I felt from the start of the novel that the pathos for Rabbi Zweck would be manipulated as much as possible, and that certainly did happen.
Who is the Elected Member? I was thinking it had to do with the "Minister" and a set of political rules in the asylum. However, a lot of blogs/reviews I've been reading have been referring to "the chosen people," in reference to the London Jewish culture that the Zwecks have created. How did you interpret the Title, who is The Elected Member?
Mother: For a character that has long been dead at the start of a novel, the mother had an incredible amount of influence on this family and their lives. How did her attitude towards tradition affect each of the characters in the novel? Do you think that if the novel was told in a more traditional way (instead of stories and flashbacks) beginning with the Rabbi's move to London, his marriage and the family's drama, and ending with Rabbi Zweck's passing, you would have had a different idea of the family?
What images stuck with you from the novel? One description that really stuck with me was when the Rabbi noticed the jacket sleeves were tucked in to the pocket of the suit next to it. I believe that Norman needed to have control over *something. But I can also see how that action, for the Rabbi, would have had a chilling effect to realize the extent of Norman's madness.
Updated: Book Club Discussion
Publisher's description: "Norman is the clever one of a close-knit Jewish family in the East End of London. Infant prodigy; brilliant barrister; the apple of his parent’s eyes … until at forty-one he becomes a drug addict, confined to his bedroom, at the mercy of his hallucinations and paranoia. For Norman, his committal to a mental hospital represents the ultimate act of betrayal. For Rabbi Zweck, Norman’s father, his son’s deterioration is a bitter reminder of his own guilt and failure. Only Bella, the unmarried sister, still in her childhood white ankle socks, can reach across the abyss of pain to bring father and son the elusive peace which they both so desperately crave."
I found this book to be a much more enjoyable read than "Something to Answer For". The nature of Norman's illness made for an interesting read (unlike the frustrations of trying to sort out Townrow's mumbo-jumbo!).
Norman: Was Norman crazy or just an addict? Norman certainly had his share of tragedies, and was not an innocent in terms of his family's problems, but I still wonder about his ailments. He obviously had a drug problem, he was hiding drugs, and hallucinating constantly. This was driving him to madness, but I don't know if I would say he was "crazy."
Rabbi Zweck: I found the Rabbi an incredibly endearing character. He loved his family but in respecting his wife's wishes, he continued their suffering even after her death. How did you feel about the Rabbi? Was his death the "closure" that the novel needed? I felt from the start of the novel that the pathos for Rabbi Zweck would be manipulated as much as possible, and that certainly did happen.
Who is the Elected Member? I was thinking it had to do with the "Minister" and a set of political rules in the asylum. However, a lot of blogs/reviews I've been reading have been referring to "the chosen people," in reference to the London Jewish culture that the Zwecks have created. How did you interpret the Title, who is The Elected Member?
Mother: For a character that has long been dead at the start of a novel, the mother had an incredible amount of influence on this family and their lives. How did her attitude towards tradition affect each of the characters in the novel? Do you think that if the novel was told in a more traditional way (instead of stories and flashbacks) beginning with the Rabbi's move to London, his marriage and the family's drama, and ending with Rabbi Zweck's passing, you would have had a different idea of the family?
What images stuck with you from the novel? One description that really stuck with me was when the Rabbi noticed the jacket sleeves were tucked in to the pocket of the suit next to it. I believe that Norman needed to have control over *something. But I can also see how that action, for the Rabbi, would have had a chilling effect to realize the extent of Norman's madness.
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Elected Member won in 1970. It’s the story of a Jewish family dealing with the drug addiction and hallucinations of the sole son, a one time golden boy. I thought it did a good job depicting the reality of hallucinations. I also appreciated seeing how Norman’s family was impacted by his addiction -the father’s guilt, anger and determination really hit me - and how they vacillated between helping him and enabling him. It was interesting to consider how the family dynamics and some incidents from the past may have influenced Norman’s addiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, and Suicide
Moderate: Incest
tarajoy90's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Drug abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Incest
eunicek82's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
4.5
I can see why this won the Booker. It’s a very well-written family drama examining the roots of mental illness. The way she doles out key moments in the family’s history was so well done. I’m not completely sure what her message is by making the family a deeply religious one but it seems that she might be saying that a narrow world view can have dire consequences.
bibliobethreads's review
I can see why this was a booker prize winner I really enjoyed it! So strange with the hallucinations of silverfish, and very sad towards the end.