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jameshousworth's review against another edition
4.0
This is going to seem like a weird review, because at first glance, this book has a lot going against it. It's very wordy. It's very long (571 pages). The plot is minimal. The characters are all, most of the time, selfish jerks. And I lost count of all the times the author mentioned masturbation (it's almost impressive how he could consistently work it into scenes in which you never imagined the word would ever show up).
But you know what? I honestly loved this book. I've never read a 500+ page book this quickly (not even you, Harry Potter). JSF just has a way of taking a character that is nothing like you (e.g. aging Zionist holocaust survivor) and making you see that they're actually just like you. But he does it in such a methodical, strange, hilarious way that you don't even realize it until about halfway through the book.
That's what made the book for me - its fascinating, crazy, yet relentlessly relatable characters. Yeah, there's a plot. A troubled Jewish-American family grapples with a whole host of family issues while the Jewish nation grapples with an international crisis. But the real meat of the story is in its characters' relationships to each other, to Judaism, and to themselves.
If you read this review and think you'll hate it, then chances are you probably will. But if you like interesting characters and creative storytelling, then I highly recommend this book!
But you know what? I honestly loved this book. I've never read a 500+ page book this quickly (not even you, Harry Potter). JSF just has a way of taking a character that is nothing like you (e.g. aging Zionist holocaust survivor) and making you see that they're actually just like you. But he does it in such a methodical, strange, hilarious way that you don't even realize it until about halfway through the book.
That's what made the book for me - its fascinating, crazy, yet relentlessly relatable characters. Yeah, there's a plot. A troubled Jewish-American family grapples with a whole host of family issues while the Jewish nation grapples with an international crisis. But the real meat of the story is in its characters' relationships to each other, to Judaism, and to themselves.
If you read this review and think you'll hate it, then chances are you probably will. But if you like interesting characters and creative storytelling, then I highly recommend this book!
diana_gt's review against another edition
2.0
Didn't finish, got about 2/3 of the way through. Honestly this was just straight up disappointing. It had none of the sweep or bombascity of Foer's first two novels, none of the emotion or incredible use of language. Basically, Foer got divorced, had an identity crisis, and decided to write a novel about it. If the novel had been moving or poignant, that might have been okay. I gave it two stars because there was an artfulness to it, because nothing by Foer can be completely artless. I even returned the book on Audible, which I haven't had to do yet.
tealeafbooks's review against another edition
2.0
OK is what a 2 star rating stands for.
I wanted more from the characters. I felt a lack of connection and struggled to care about what I felt like I should care about.
I cared about the end, but if you listen to or read it, you will realize that few can avoid feeling nothing about the end.
I wanted more from the characters. I felt a lack of connection and struggled to care about what I felt like I should care about.
I cared about the end, but if you listen to or read it, you will realize that few can avoid feeling nothing about the end.
tstuppy's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve had this since release; when I tried to read it the first time, I was put off by its seriousness and neurotic voice. I expected Foer to keep doing the same narrative tricks I loved in ELIC and EII. Six years later, I found myself really appreciating the story; it felt Franzen-esque and it’s characters were emotionally compelling. While I won’t rush to read it again, I’m glad I read it.
martsfrommars's review against another edition
4.0
Avevo letto questo libro qualche anno fa ma il mio cervello aveva fatto tabula rasa, nel senso che proprio avevo rimosso tutta la trama, nel mio kindle ero piena di sottilineature e note ma di tutte me ne ricordavo forse due. Alla fine è stata una lettura piacevole, forse un pò strana visto che la mia lettura dei capitoli sul terremoto coincideva cpn le giornate delle scosse in Turchia e Siria
agrdck20's review against another edition
4.0
Whilst some of it was heavy going I really enjoyed this book. I certainly think it helps to have come from a similar cultural background as much of the Jewish reference can be esoteric and not well explained. Same with the the Israel subplot that resonated with me but may not with other readers. Whilst the subjects the book covers could be thought of as depressing, the writing is beautiful, and many times throughout the book I would have to re read a sentence or observation because it was so beautifully described.
sjentellll's review against another edition
4.0
It took me quite some time but I finally finished this novel. A disappointing start for me personally but I loved part 4 and 7, that's just classic Foer <3 + got a bit too emotional while reading the last couple of pages because letting go is indeed pretty fucking difficult.
mario_i_am's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
oco257's review against another edition
1.0
Reeeeally had to slog my way through this one. Unfortunate, because I really liked Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.