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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
It was a bit of a slow start, but once I got into this book, I was amazed at the quality of writing and imagination. We've got a well-imagined alternate history, in which the Jewish occupation of Jerusalem failed, but in which they mostly migrated to Alaska, where they were given temporary residence. It's a fact the the zionists were not 100% set on the reoccupation of Jerusalem- they were also looking at South America, and even possibly Alaska, as places to settle. They mostly wanted a Jewish homeland- somewhere.
So, this idea is made flesh in this book. If you can possibly imagine hardboiled Jewish detective noir, this is it. I was slow to relate to Landsman, the main character- he's damn depressing. But the inhospitable, raggedy, thoroughly Jewish setting got to me. I had to know more. Orthodox Jewish gangsters? Why not? A heroin addict who might also be the Messiah? What next? A humongous Tlingit/Jewish detective partner who has a war hammer he carries around for effect? Great!
I think this book ended up being about the idea of home, and what people will do to find or make one. At least, that's the theme I saw popping up again and again. As far as the mystery goes, I don't know if it was well-constructed or not. I didn't see the denouement coming, but I was more wrapped up in the ride than the destination with this one. My only nitpick is the ending was almost incongruously optimistic and naive for such a dark book. Or did idealism triumph, even knowing the likely bad ending?
Why don't I read more Michael Chabon? Must remedy this situation.
So, this idea is made flesh in this book. If you can possibly imagine hardboiled Jewish detective noir, this is it. I was slow to relate to Landsman, the main character- he's damn depressing. But the inhospitable, raggedy, thoroughly Jewish setting got to me. I had to know more. Orthodox Jewish gangsters? Why not? A heroin addict who might also be the Messiah? What next? A humongous Tlingit/Jewish detective partner who has a war hammer he carries around for effect? Great!
I think this book ended up being about the idea of home, and what people will do to find or make one. At least, that's the theme I saw popping up again and again. As far as the mystery goes, I don't know if it was well-constructed or not. I didn't see the denouement coming, but I was more wrapped up in the ride than the destination with this one. My only nitpick is the ending was almost incongruously optimistic and naive for such a dark book. Or did idealism triumph, even knowing the likely bad ending?
Why don't I read more Michael Chabon? Must remedy this situation.
I love Michael Chabon's books. This one was a bit stranger than the others I've read.
Holy metaphor, everything is a metaphor and it doesn't need to be. It was a slog to get 38% through this book. I have more delightful things I could be doing in life than trying to finish this book.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An entertaining alternative-history murder-mystery. I found myself enjoying the atmosphere and world that Chabon created just as much as the plot itself. I still prefer the writing in Chabon’s Kavalier & Clay and found the writing here to be a bit purple, but it wasn’t a long read so I finished the book before it came to be too off-putting.
Really enjoyed Michael Chabon's writing and am interested to read more from him after this, but I'm padding my rating here a bit mostly because I can see why it was so widely recommended and find myself now in the position to pass that recommendation along.
A clever, hard-boiled detective story set in the imaginary territory of Sitka, a "state" created in Alaska for Jews trying to escape the Nazis. Only now, years later, the Americans are taking Sitka back and the Jews are being forced out once again. Oh and there's been a grisly, heartless murder...
I enjoyed the alternate view of history, the unusual and heartbreaking characters including the hard-boiled detective Meyer Landsman and his ex-wife Bina (who just happens to be his boss) and the fast-paced plot. A very good read.
I enjoyed the alternate view of history, the unusual and heartbreaking characters including the hard-boiled detective Meyer Landsman and his ex-wife Bina (who just happens to be his boss) and the fast-paced plot. A very good read.
Chabon is a prose magician. He's a little too obsessed with integrating genre, though. The story was predictable and weak, as is the case with most mysteries. This just didn't have enough balance to keep my attention.
A gritty noir murder detective story with an alternate history twist. The Jewish peple get kicked out out Palistine in 1948 and a refuge is made for them in... Sitka Alaska. It's 60 years latter and the US has decided to kick them out and "revert" the territory back to the US. Not sure if Alaska is a state or not in this timeline. However, an A-Bomb was used on Berlin at the end of WWII. Against this back drop a murder mystery unfolds. Also, a interesting look into Jewish culture. A lot of set-up, but once things start moving, all hell breaks loose. A good read.
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This came recommended very highl y but unfortunately it was a slog.