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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
The characters and the plot keep you going in this novel but what set it above others for me was Chabon’s writing. Oy, the man can turn a phrase with the best of them. Now I’ve gotta read the book he won a Pulitzer for, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.
Just finished reading The Yiddish Policeman's Union. That this novel exists feels like a kind of miracle. I wanted to send a cry of delight out to the universe of reader's joy. The mysterious alchemy Chabon achieves of Yiddishkeit, Jewish history, alternative history, Alaska, Tlingit culture, detective noir is like finding a diamond at the beach. It's an utterly subversive work. And so many lines you have to stop and grin at, and read out loud. Here's a mere smattering: "My homeland is my hat." "One thing about a Yeshiva bachelor, he knows his way around a question." "I'm like a cash gift. I'm always appropriate." "fluid pink giants with haircuts that occupy the neat interval between astronaut and pedophile scoutmaster." Comparing someone's skin to the colour of celery hearts. Coming to a novel this good this late, you get the volume of everyone else's earlier pleasure to amplify the experience. A ripe counterpoint to discovering a new, unknown artist.
Loved the Amazing Adventures of Cavilier and Clay, so I was dissapointed that I didn't like this book more. I think being Jewish or at least knowledgeable about the Jewish culutre would have helped my understanding!
I liked the contrast of lyrical writing and grim environment, the classic detective noir transported and transformed through new characters, and the just-plausible crazy setup.
There's a lot in this novel. It gets a bit wild over the second half. I neither minded nor delighted in the scope of that back part, but the first 12 chapters of shit talking Jews is what really made it for me.
FWIW, the only real disappointment for me was that this is a book by a [Jewish] man, solely about [Jewish] men, with [Jewish] women only as long-suffering static characters to prop up the plot/protagonist and provide food. That could be blamed on the noir genre, but I found it to be an unfortunately archaic orthodox theme in an otherwise aggressively reformed novel.
There's a lot in this novel. It gets a bit wild over the second half. I neither minded nor delighted in the scope of that back part, but the first 12 chapters of shit talking Jews is what really made it for me.
FWIW, the only real disappointment for me was that this is a book by a [Jewish] man, solely about [Jewish] men, with [Jewish] women only as long-suffering static characters to prop up the plot/protagonist and provide food. That could be blamed on the noir genre, but I found it to be an unfortunately archaic orthodox theme in an otherwise aggressively reformed novel.
A book with an interesting premise (US made space for WW Jewish refugees in Sitka Alaska) but with the downfall of stereotypical police procedurals (predictably flawed men).
Very heavy on the proper nouns (places, people), I found it hard to know who and what was important to keep track of.
Very heavy on the proper nouns (places, people), I found it hard to know who and what was important to keep track of.
I enjoy a well-thought out alt-history story. Chabon has come up with a fascinating premise and executes it well. Peter Riegert's reading really brings it to life.
This book was a clever whodunnit, although mildly overwritten. I think with more information I would have liked or gotten this book more. I can see why it goes under the sci fi categorization but it does have a gritty noir flair. The characters are engaging and the plot turns very well.
In an alternate world in which Alaska, rather than Israel, has become the homeland for the Jews following World War II, Detective Meyer Landsman and his half-Tlingit partner Berko investigate the death of a heroin-addicted chess prodigy.
I feel bad not giving this one a glowing review, because I feel like I should have. I should have loved this book, but instead I appreciated it without really enjoying it. The alternate history Chabon creates is amazing, as is his character and setting development. His main character is totally believable and at times sympathetic, while at other times frustrating and immature and selfish. But my problem with this one is that it's dragged down by description, exposition and its interminable length. I found myself wishing it would end and then glad when it was finally over, instead of savoring the author's obvious genius. I'm giving this one a fairly negative review for now, but I would absolutely want to revisit this in a few years and see if I feel any differently.
I feel bad not giving this one a glowing review, because I feel like I should have. I should have loved this book, but instead I appreciated it without really enjoying it. The alternate history Chabon creates is amazing, as is his character and setting development. His main character is totally believable and at times sympathetic, while at other times frustrating and immature and selfish. But my problem with this one is that it's dragged down by description, exposition and its interminable length. I found myself wishing it would end and then glad when it was finally over, instead of savoring the author's obvious genius. I'm giving this one a fairly negative review for now, but I would absolutely want to revisit this in a few years and see if I feel any differently.
I'm not exactly shocked to have eaten this book up like I did, I love Michael Chabon. This was a totally engrossing, witty novel - a noirish mystery, sadly romantic, religiously & culturally & politically interesting as it described the alternate reality of a Jewish settlement in Alaska (instead of a destroyed Isreal). The characters were so well drawn, relationships were affectionate and strained at the same time. Chabon writes beautifully - he moves me to sniffles while I'm laughing at the cop-dialogue. I love his characters, and while I'd welcome a return to the Wonder Boys' acedemic arena, I was totally enthralled with the quirky reality of this hopeless detective novel.