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lea's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think if I weren't jewish I wouldn't have liked this nearly as much but it was beautiful. I wouldn't say it was confusing exactly but it was hard to follow if that makes sense. I wish I connected to the characters more as well.
bickie's review
Complex world-building involving demons and the Angel of Death; rules of the fantasy world are not always clearly spelled out. Somewhat parallel journeys of Bluma and Yehuda Leib sometimes have very parallel storytelling structure to highlight similarities.
Complex themes of death, spirituality, connection, and the meaning of life could be difficult for MG readers for whom the action may not be enough to hold their interest.
Complex themes of death, spirituality, connection, and the meaning of life could be difficult for MG readers for whom the action may not be enough to hold their interest.
eshalliday's review
5.0
Sometimes, a kind of ineffable alignment takes place, doesn't it, where a book that you read fits precisely with the season, with your state of mind, with the book you've just finished or come out of, et cetera... This just happened for me with 'The Way Back' by Gavriel Savit. That is not to say that the novel itself, in another season, in another happenstance ordering of whatever books I'm currently reading, couldn't have filled me with this same pleasure. I think it certainly would have.
How to classify this book, though?! In the library where I work, we have it catalogued as 'Junior Fiction: children's stories 9+'. It's published by Random House Children's, and booksellers list it variously as 'Teen Fiction'/'Young Adult Science Fiction' and 'General Fantasy'. However, the reviews on the back cover include sources such as The Times, The Guardian, New York Times, Daily Telegraph, and Mashable. So, is this the consummate crossover novel?
What I can tell you is that this novel gave me so much joy; moreso than a recent flurry of adult novels I've just read/am currently reading. 'The Way Back' goes directly to my 'favourites' shelf, whether it was written for 9+, teens, young adults, or adults. Slavit's writing is tight and suspenseful. There is not a single unnecessary word or piece of floppy dialogue here. Every scene is measured, every literary device employed with impeccable timing (there are many viewpoint shifts, numerous cliffhangers/revelations, and some really big structural pivots). Each motif in this highly symbolic story is used just the right number of times, in just the right places, to keep the narrative fairly dashing along. Even saying that, I also felt that the pace was measured enough that I was able to develop empathy and understanding for all of the characters. Having just finished reading it, I can say that I was deeply invested in each one of them (even the demons).
This novel is 350 or so pages of utter delight. The world created for this narrative is flawlessly imagined and rendered with intimate detail. I defy anyone to forget the image of Lilith as a white tiger bellowing a warcry, or to forget the moment where the Rebbe of Zubinsk meets the Rebbe of the Dead.
Fans of Cornelia Funke's collaboration with Guillermo del Toro on 'Pan's Labyrinth', as well as her Inkworld trilogy, will adore this. So will fans of, say, Jeanette Winterson and Erin Morgenstern. Those are perhaps the obvious comparisons. Let this novel stand on its own, then, and say it is unlike anything else. It is its own remarkable astonishing self.
How to classify this book, though?! In the library where I work, we have it catalogued as 'Junior Fiction: children's stories 9+'. It's published by Random House Children's, and booksellers list it variously as 'Teen Fiction'/'Young Adult Science Fiction' and 'General Fantasy'. However, the reviews on the back cover include sources such as The Times, The Guardian, New York Times, Daily Telegraph, and Mashable. So, is this the consummate crossover novel?
What I can tell you is that this novel gave me so much joy; moreso than a recent flurry of adult novels I've just read/am currently reading. 'The Way Back' goes directly to my 'favourites' shelf, whether it was written for 9+, teens, young adults, or adults. Slavit's writing is tight and suspenseful. There is not a single unnecessary word or piece of floppy dialogue here. Every scene is measured, every literary device employed with impeccable timing (there are many viewpoint shifts, numerous cliffhangers/revelations, and some really big structural pivots). Each motif in this highly symbolic story is used just the right number of times, in just the right places, to keep the narrative fairly dashing along. Even saying that, I also felt that the pace was measured enough that I was able to develop empathy and understanding for all of the characters. Having just finished reading it, I can say that I was deeply invested in each one of them (even the demons).
This novel is 350 or so pages of utter delight. The world created for this narrative is flawlessly imagined and rendered with intimate detail. I defy anyone to forget the image of Lilith as a white tiger bellowing a warcry, or to forget the moment where the Rebbe of Zubinsk meets the Rebbe of the Dead.
Fans of Cornelia Funke's collaboration with Guillermo del Toro on 'Pan's Labyrinth', as well as her Inkworld trilogy, will adore this. So will fans of, say, Jeanette Winterson and Erin Morgenstern. Those are perhaps the obvious comparisons. Let this novel stand on its own, then, and say it is unlike anything else. It is its own remarkable astonishing self.
ebgat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
danrue's review
3.0
I got to a little over 60% through this book and just got too lost to keep going. The story was intriguing but I didn’t care enough about the characters or the plan and had no idea what the plot was so I ended up giving up. I’m trying to stop finishing bad books this year. Literally nothing in the story made sense to me.
emmavinkenoog's review
3.0
Maybe it's good if you know Jewish folklore? Idk but otherwise it's very confusing and kind of boring
teawithalibra's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
oonawoodbury's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this although it feels on the younger end of YA. The world reminds me of Neil Gaiman but more explicitly Jewish. The writing style was descriptive and evocative if sometimes a bit repetitive. I would definitely recommend to someone looking to read more Jewish fantasy especially a younger reader
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
maryehavens's review
3.0
It started off very strong for me but I got confused about halfway through. I don't know if it was the addition of so many characters or the switches between Bluma and Yehuda Lieb's perspectives....the book went from "ooh, fun and interesting" to "uh....what?"
I will say, I have new sub genre that I'm a super fan: Death as a character. I feel all a twitter when Death shows up. It's the interpretation from the author and/or learning about the different representation of Death in culture and folklore.
Maybe that was the problem: the whole point of this book was different demons vying for to take over Death's role but it felt bogged down in using two different humans to achieve the outcome. I think it would have been better to fight over one. Or maybe use the human vehicles but give the perspective from the demon's point of view? I don't know - it had me, then it lost me.
I did mourn Lilith's death. I was digging her.
This book gave me Neil Gaiman, Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson vibes but it's just on the edge of being as good as those dudes. That's some good company to keep!
I will say, I have new sub genre that I'm a super fan: Death as a character. I feel all a twitter when Death shows up. It's the interpretation from the author and/or learning about the different representation of Death in culture and folklore.
Maybe that was the problem: the whole point of this book was different demons vying for to take over Death's role but it felt bogged down in using two different humans to achieve the outcome. I think it would have been better to fight over one. Or maybe use the human vehicles but give the perspective from the demon's point of view? I don't know - it had me, then it lost me.
I did mourn Lilith's death. I was digging her.
This book gave me Neil Gaiman, Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson vibes but it's just on the edge of being as good as those dudes. That's some good company to keep!