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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I'm lukewarm about this when I really didn't want to be. I won't be writing a full review because I've decided I won't do that for books I'm reading for grad school unless I feel super inspired, but I did want to say that I agree with the reviews that talk about how over-written this is. Chabon is an undeniably skilled writer, but he needs to "take off his flashiest accessory," as another reviewer aptly noted. I felt like half of the book was just various decorous ways of of restating what had already been adequately established, which took away from the actual plot (which is already complex).
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
The Yiddish Policemen's Union is a wild ride into an alternate history where Jews settled in Sitka, Alaska after failed attempts to secure a homeland. At the core of this novel is a murder mystery in which a man considered the Messiah was shot dead in a hotel room leaving only an unfinished chess game as a clue. We meet Meyer Landsman, a detective battling personal demons, and a rich tapestry of characters whose actions and descriptions make this novel darker.
What I like the most about this novel is the noir atmosphere which is more chilling given that it is set in a cold and lonely place. I felt the coldness in my marrow as the detectives try all leads to find the culprit of the murder. The investigations led them to a complex conspiracy about the idea of the Jewish homeland. The ending, though, is a huge letdown. It feels rushed, too neat, and even anti-climactic. Still, I could not complain about the beauty of Chabon's prose which is so good, and how he can hook readers in with his plots.
What I like the most about this novel is the noir atmosphere which is more chilling given that it is set in a cold and lonely place. I felt the coldness in my marrow as the detectives try all leads to find the culprit of the murder. The investigations led them to a complex conspiracy about the idea of the Jewish homeland. The ending, though, is a huge letdown. It feels rushed, too neat, and even anti-climactic. Still, I could not complain about the beauty of Chabon's prose which is so good, and how he can hook readers in with his plots.
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know why I resisted this book. Philip Roth's The Plot Against America could have been to blame. His alternative history of Jews in America seemed strained and implausible. Cloaked in the impossible world of a hard boiled detective novel, Chabon's reimagined history is rich and wonderful. He's able to transcend genre, too. He touches on universal themes -- the sins of our fathers, misbegotten messiahs, the inhumanity of extremism.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a hilarious book but I did feel lost throughout the whole thing.
I enjoyed The Yiddish Policemen's Union, though I found a number of the themes to be repetitive to The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.
An interesting alternate universe hard-boiled detective murder mystery. A very solidly created, unique universe. With a bit of mysticism thrown in. Enjoyable enough.
I loved the basic idea behind this book, Chabon's twists on history are always fun and extremely interesting. I found it difficult at times to follow what was happening, he throws a lot at you in terms of language/names/places in the first half of the book but by the second half it had become a page turner. Overall it was a fun, galloping, noir-esque read. It was not my favorite Chabon book but definitely worth a read.