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zachlittrell's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know if I actually "enjoyed it" enjoyed it, but I think Yehoshua is a good writer in subtle sneaky ways. I'm super uncomfortable reading about someone developing dementia, Zvi Luria is a crotchety old man, and I'm not sure the plot line about the tunnel construction project gels well with Zvi's personal drama...but I basically kept wanting to read on and see what was about to happen.
It's actually kinda masterful how the story makes you want to root for Zvi, for all his flaws, and go "See? He's fine!" and kinda gloss over his unfortunate habit of stumbling into mistakes.
It's actually kinda masterful how the story makes you want to root for Zvi, for all his flaws, and go "See? He's fine!" and kinda gloss over his unfortunate habit of stumbling into mistakes.
levishak's review against another edition
3.0
A bittersweet story set in present day Israel—the book is well written, sweet, funny, and sad. I believe the author is telling the reader about old age and the inevitable loss of function and independence. In the case of the protagonist, the onset of dementia is the overriding problem to be confronted. The characters and interactions are humorous and poignant. There are references to corruption which I am certain an Israeli would understand better than I could. The protagonist and supporting characters find themselves in absurd situations. These wacky scenarios reinforce the tender sadness which characterizes the novel. I wanted to like the book more than I actually did. My main problem is that there are several messages imparted by the author, but none are revealed loud and strong. Metaphors and symbols abound, but I was unable to determine which was the most important.
estheradina's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gonza_basta's review against another edition
2.0
I had a hard time reading this book all the way through, as if the fog in the protagonist's brain had infected me and I often found it hard to remember where I had arrived and what had happened up to that point. Definitely not Yoshua's best book.
Ho fatto molta fatica a leggere questo libro fino in fondo, come se la nebbia nel cervello del protagonista mi avesse contagiato e spesso facevo fatica a ricordare dove ero arrivata e cosa fosse successo fino a quel punto. Decisamente non il miglior libro di Yoshua.
THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
Ho fatto molta fatica a leggere questo libro fino in fondo, come se la nebbia nel cervello del protagonista mi avesse contagiato e spesso facevo fatica a ricordare dove ero arrivata e cosa fosse successo fino a quel punto. Decisamente non il miglior libro di Yoshua.
THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
sandracohen's review against another edition
4.0
A tender and humorous story of an aging man with dementia, his wife and their relationship, and his work to protect a family in danger. Very touching
allieonreading's review against another edition
2.5
Maybe I’m dumb, but I didn’t quite get this book. It was hard for me to read, mainly because my grandfather suffered from dementia, so reading a character on that journey was difficult. I found the narration hard to follow at times, and was especially confusing at the end.
biasanchez's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
akajujorge's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cuddlygryphon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
sjgrodsky's review against another edition
5.0
My first experience with AB Yehoshua, won’t be the last. This wonderful storyteller has mastered all of the elements of writing: plot, setting, dialog, character.
There are so many aspects I could remark on, but since other reviewers have been puzzled by the ending, I’ll discuss that.
But two comments before I get there:
1
—
The cover illustration is absolutely brilliant. Nicely dressed Zvi with his face and head faded into the background.
2
—
This shudder-inducing event: Zvi has the entry code for his car tattooed on his arm because he has forgotten the code a few times. And no one comments that the last time Jews had numbers tattooed on their arms, a Nazi was doing the tattooing, and the purpose was to track this Jew so his death could be efficiently recorded.
I think Yehoshua is making two points here. First, in the context of the story, it shows the desperate measures Zvi is willing to take: he can’t remember numbers anymore and he is afraid that he wouldn’t remember the location of a paper reminder. So the only way to retain access to the freedom his car represents is this extreme solution.
Second, though I, the reader, shuddered at this Nazi reference, the characters were unaware. They saw the tattoo as a practical, if extreme, solution. Point being: they didn’t see the Holocaust reference. Takeaway being: We can’t ever forget the Holocaust, but it doesn’t have to be ever-present in our consciousness.
THE ENDING
Some have speculated that when the Palestinian teacher shoots the deer, he is actually shooting Zvi.
Maybe. But we don’t have to assume that to understand that Zvi Luria, the human being (not zvi, Hebrew for “deer”), is in a precarious position. He is in a remote spot in the desert of south Israel, dependent on the good will of the Palestinian teacher and a somewhat hostile Bedouin driver. His family doesn’t know where he is. His wife is in Germany at a conference.
He may yet return safely to the urban balagan of Tel Aviv. He’s been lucky before.
I hope so. But I’m not optimistic.
—notes—
Great structure: the conflict is evident by page 2.
Wonderful dialog. Great ear for Jewish sarcasm. The protagonist asks his sister for recipes to use up tomatoes (he has overbought) but leaks the more serious news that he visited a neurologist the day before.
“Wait,” [his sister shouts], “stop with the tomatoes, first tell me exactly what the doctor thought.” (Page
Page 29, bottom. Maybe bad translation?
“Yoav says nothing, crestfallen. When he finally looks up, his father sees the same fear he saw in his eyes while changing his diaper. “
?? Was baby Yoav afraid of having diapers changed?
P87 “...hurry up and move to Berlin.” Meaning of Berlin for Israelis?
P127. Shabahim versus shabazim. ??
There are so many aspects I could remark on, but since other reviewers have been puzzled by the ending, I’ll discuss that.
But two comments before I get there:
1
—
The cover illustration is absolutely brilliant. Nicely dressed Zvi with his face and head faded into the background.
2
—
This shudder-inducing event: Zvi has the entry code for his car tattooed on his arm because he has forgotten the code a few times. And no one comments that the last time Jews had numbers tattooed on their arms, a Nazi was doing the tattooing, and the purpose was to track this Jew so his death could be efficiently recorded.
I think Yehoshua is making two points here. First, in the context of the story, it shows the desperate measures Zvi is willing to take: he can’t remember numbers anymore and he is afraid that he wouldn’t remember the location of a paper reminder. So the only way to retain access to the freedom his car represents is this extreme solution.
Second, though I, the reader, shuddered at this Nazi reference, the characters were unaware. They saw the tattoo as a practical, if extreme, solution. Point being: they didn’t see the Holocaust reference. Takeaway being: We can’t ever forget the Holocaust, but it doesn’t have to be ever-present in our consciousness.
THE ENDING
Some have speculated that when the Palestinian teacher shoots the deer, he is actually shooting Zvi.
Maybe. But we don’t have to assume that to understand that Zvi Luria, the human being (not zvi, Hebrew for “deer”), is in a precarious position. He is in a remote spot in the desert of south Israel, dependent on the good will of the Palestinian teacher and a somewhat hostile Bedouin driver. His family doesn’t know where he is. His wife is in Germany at a conference.
He may yet return safely to the urban balagan of Tel Aviv. He’s been lucky before.
I hope so. But I’m not optimistic.
—notes—
Great structure: the conflict is evident by page 2.
Wonderful dialog. Great ear for Jewish sarcasm. The protagonist asks his sister for recipes to use up tomatoes (he has overbought) but leaks the more serious news that he visited a neurologist the day before.
“Wait,” [his sister shouts], “stop with the tomatoes, first tell me exactly what the doctor thought.” (Page
Page 29, bottom. Maybe bad translation?
“Yoav says nothing, crestfallen. When he finally looks up, his father sees the same fear he saw in his eyes while changing his diaper. “
?? Was baby Yoav afraid of having diapers changed?
P87 “...hurry up and move to Berlin.” Meaning of Berlin for Israelis?
P127. Shabahim versus shabazim. ??