Reviews

This novel, about a Jewish family in Argentina during all the crappy political unrest of the 1970s, has been garnering a ton of rave reviews. I was all excited to read it . . . and then I couldn't get into it at all. Seriously, it starts all in media res going on about Jewish cemetaries and things. It did pick up after that, but just as I'd get into it, it would start to drag again. And we're talking about a story involving the disappeared! But the problem is, there's so much bureaucracy and corruption in the book . . . it's easy to feel the frustration of the protagonists, b/c I as a reader was frustrated reading it. The ending was appropriate but I just can't give this book above a B.

neilfein's review against another edition

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2.0

The story of Kaddish Poznan, a Jew living in Argentina during the Peron years, Mr. Englander's first novel follows his wonderful debut, For the Relief of Unbearable Urges. Uncertainty, dictatorship, and persecution are to be expected in such a setting, but the author chooses to focus further on the themes of class rivalry and government-sponsored kidnapping that none dare question or even acknowledge.

The Poznan family is, in typical Englander fashion, a complex of unshared obligation, interdependent rebellion, and guilty familial affection. Unlike previous Englander characters, the Poznans are not particularly observant. Another new theme for the author is the relentlessly useless bureaucracy of Peronista Argentina.

The Ministry of Special Cases is less focused than the short fiction that preceded it, but that's to be expected. It's not as easy of a read as his previous work, nor is it as thoughtful. But these comparisons diminish the achievement of this debut novel, since they're more of a comment on For the Relief of Unbearable Urges than on this book. Mr. Englander has produced a worthwhile and thoughtful addition to the body of literature that includes the Jewish narrative.

appletonkelli's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is set in Argentina in 1976. While the United States was celebrating our bicentennial with children in costumes from 200 years prior learning dance steps for school performances, kids and young adults in Argentina were being snatched from their homes, schools, streets, to be tortured and killed.

When I think of Argentina I think of the musical Evita. And that is where it has always stopped. This novel was eye-opening and sent me scurrying to research the time period so I'd have a better understanding of the characters' situations.

I'm not going to give anymore than that away, but I recommend this book.

carlyque's review against another edition

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4.0

Can a fable about the Dirty War be enjoyable? Frightening book--as if looking at an execution from a distance, but you have to walk by afterwards, real close.

senkahawke's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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