Scan barcode
lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
2.0
Had a hard time getting through this one. Weird story line that I just couldn't get into.
sunbreak's review against another edition
4.0
It took a while for me to get into, and I do kind of feel bad saying it, but the Yiddish was an obstacle.. I just didn't feel at home. But a stretch is good, right? Once I got the characters voices established in my head, I really enjoyed the story and think it's one of the most creative books I've read in a long time.
teokajlibroj's review against another edition
3.0
The setting is original and interesting but the plot is an extremely cliched story about a washed up alcoholic cop, his best buddy partner, ex-wife, who gets suspended and uncovers a great conspiracy.
I really liked the culture, Yiddish and chess elements but to be honest I didn't really care what happened to the characters or what they did.
In case anyone is wondering, the Esperanto for pile of shit is probably fekaĵaro.
I really liked the culture, Yiddish and chess elements but to be honest I didn't really care what happened to the characters or what they did.
In case anyone is wondering, the Esperanto for pile of shit is probably fekaĵaro.
salty_morton's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Chabon is full of super descriptive, odd phrases that build such a unique vibe of the world. His alternate history is so detailed and has a lot of parallels to both real history and modern day events.
slinky179's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I honestly really enjoyed the first quarter or so of this. Unfortunately the prose (which is charming at first) stops enhancing the novel at a certain point and instead becomes a hurdle for your eyes as you encounter the 20th random metaphor on the page
The novel gets worse and worse as the plot takes off. He went way too high stakes. The plot feels a little convoluted and it can be rather hard to follow. The ending of the novel is also rather abrupt with a few character moments that felt like Chabon was checking off boxes instead of letting characters dictate what happens
The novel gets worse and worse as the plot takes off. He went way too high stakes. The plot feels a little convoluted and it can be rather hard to follow. The ending of the novel is also rather abrupt with a few character moments that felt like Chabon was checking off boxes instead of letting characters dictate what happens
ledablanca's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
canaanmerchant's review against another edition
4.0
Michael Chabon's take on noir. Though what captivates the reader is not so much the mystery but the setting which puts the Jews of post-war Europe settling a special district in south east Alaska where 60 years later they face being driven from their new home again as the land is set to be returned to Alaska's control. Chabon is able to create a rich world that has many factions and interests vying for physical control and existential meaning in the face of changes bigger than an entire city.
As I said, the story is well written and the mystery is well executed. However, and this a problem with me I guess but it doesn't seem possible to write a noir novel with a protagonist who isn't an alcoholic, exhusband, button pusher, and someone on the brink of going over the edge. Landsman, the main character isn't an outright cliche but he's overshadowed by his cousin Berko who is an accomplished detective while keeping a family. He does in fact have something to lose and his identity is in flux since he has a Jewish father but a Native American mother which is rare for a society with a lot of outright animosity between the two people groups. Berko is one of many of the fully realized characters that Chabon neglects to give his own main character.
As I said, the story is well written and the mystery is well executed. However, and this a problem with me I guess but it doesn't seem possible to write a noir novel with a protagonist who isn't an alcoholic, exhusband, button pusher, and someone on the brink of going over the edge. Landsman, the main character isn't an outright cliche but he's overshadowed by his cousin Berko who is an accomplished detective while keeping a family. He does in fact have something to lose and his identity is in flux since he has a Jewish father but a Native American mother which is rare for a society with a lot of outright animosity between the two people groups. Berko is one of many of the fully realized characters that Chabon neglects to give his own main character.
deanna_rigney's review against another edition
5.0
This was so incredibly good...and the Coen brothers are set to make the movie version so it will probably be incredibly good too, and this just makes me so happy and elated I almost feel bad for the books I'm reading next because they'll have to stand next to this fictional giant and not seem sad and small. This is the first Michael Chabon book I've read, but it won't be the last. Very strong characters (Meyer Landsman seemed plucked from a Dashiell Hammett book,) a noir-esque murder mystery, an alternate history, awesome dialogue, and comic edge all conspire to make this one great read.
applegnreads's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, this was good, but oh so very dark. Since I was going through the funeral of my grandfather at the time, it was really depressing.