Scan barcode
siria's review against another edition
3.5
A slyly funny satirical family saga (in scope if not in length) about the Zelmenyaners, several generations of an extended Jewish family living in Minsk in the early days of the Soviet era. Various family members (re)act towards Jewish assimilation, the imposition of Communist doctrine, and electrification, as well as various interpersonal dramas.
After I finished this book, I learned it had begun as a serialised newspaper column, which makes a lot of the structure (or lack thereof) make much more sense. This is more a series of vignettes than it is a book, and none of the characters are much more than rapid pencil sketches. There are some very funny observations/one liners, but this didn't quite click for me as a whole.
After I finished this book, I learned it had begun as a serialised newspaper column, which makes a lot of the structure (or lack thereof) make much more sense. This is more a series of vignettes than it is a book, and none of the characters are much more than rapid pencil sketches. There are some very funny observations/one liners, but this didn't quite click for me as a whole.
unavezmas's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
wshier's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it was good, and funny. But, the cultural divide was just too great. I know I missed a lot. I wouldn't expect a Belorussian today to "get" Gatsby, or Huck Finn.
hplatter's review
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
eavans's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
abookishtype's review
3.0
I dread looking up early twentieth century Russian authors on Wikipedia. I so often enjoy their books–because of the setting, the turmoil, the pathos–that I don’t want to know if they were one of the unlucky ones. But when I read The Zelmenyaners, I had to, because I had never heard of Moyshe Kulbak before. Kulbak, a master of Yiddish literature in Russia, was not one of the lucky ones. So as I neared the end of The Zelmenyaners, I felt an extra dose of regret that I wouldn’t see any more of the serialized misadventures of the Jewish clan...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review consideration.