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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
too many long asides and toxic and violent relationship
I was poised to really like this book, given that it's alternate history set in Alaska... but I was mostly disappointed. It really didn't have much Alaska-ness to it (although maybe if I'd been to Sitka I'd feel differently), and it was really just a mystery, and didn't have much focus on the alternate history nature of the setup. And it took over half the book to even figure out that it was primarily a mystery. I just wasn't that into it.
The premise of this book nothing if not clever: Israel lost the 1948 war, so America reluctantly allowed Jewish refugees to settle in Alaska temporarily, where they live uneasily among the Indian population there. Their time is up. With that as the background, the story is a hardboiled detective novel. It's very entertaining, but like Motherless Brooklyn, I found the background a little more interesting than the plot. I also wish that he gave us a few more sentences that didn't include look-how-clever-I-am metaphors or similes. Minor quibbles, though -- the book was very good.
I'm glad I read/listened to this book, but I have to say I didn't enjoy a lot of it. The premise was fascinating and interesting historically-that settling Jews in Alaska was proposed at one time. Though, I didn't really connect to the characters at all. I know people tend to like the descriptive way Chabon writes. Though, it wasn't for me. I found it way too heavy on metaphors and excessively descriptive, where it interrupted the flow of the story. I would have given it two stars. I added a third because of his 'novel' setting choice.
I ended up really enjoying the cross between a mystery and a love story.
Some great quotations - re-reading, again, helped (note: read less complicated books when in a mood for completing things). Make sure you realize there's a glossary at the end to help...
Some great quotations - re-reading, again, helped (note: read less complicated books when in a mood for completing things). Make sure you realize there's a glossary at the end to help...
Real score 4.895. I’m flummoxed that the average is so low. It’s maybe not easy although I don’t know if that is the right word but a gorgeous writer. Some of the best analogies and metaphors and descriptions I’ve read for a long time. I love a good metaphor. Weird? Yes. Good? Yes-er.
I loved Kavalier and Clay but I just couldn't get through this one...maybe I will try again later.
Love, love, love! I think Chabon is at his best in his novels, and I loved the exotic history woven from a simple change of plans (what if Alaska became the Jewish homeland, rather than Israel?). Plus, a mystery! Lots of sectarian quirks, Alaskan topography.... so much fun.