Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Masterful. There was the conceit of chess throughout as a stand-in for the constant persecution faced by Jews. Ironically of an arab origin yet beloved in a love/hate relationship by the characters. There was the magical realism of the jewish folklore stories written by chabon that were the best part of the story in my opinion. There was the jokes. "I wouldn't have woken you, but you don't seem to sleep," etc. There was the way even the relationships between the characters were gritty. The constant fear of loosing a home. Holding onto the past tightly.
emotional
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
From the first pages, I assumed I was going to dislike the main character and only grudgingly follow along on his journey. Landsman initially struck me as noir cliché of a detective, but turned out to be a compelling hero. The plot was lively and the main characters were interesting. The Yiddish slang took a bit to get used to, but overall added to the setting.
My main complaint was that after all the suspense and investigation of shadowy dealings, the climax left some questions still in the shadows. Still, the major reason I chose to give this book 4 stars is because it's simply not as good as Kavalier & Clay by the same author and I want to keep my 5 star ratings exclusive.
My main complaint was that after all the suspense and investigation of shadowy dealings, the climax left some questions still in the shadows. Still, the major reason I chose to give this book 4 stars is because it's simply not as good as Kavalier & Clay by the same author and I want to keep my 5 star ratings exclusive.
This was my second Chabon book, the first being Moonglow (I also wrote a short review there). And I am definitely a fan.
I mean, what's not to love about a alternative historical fiction / hard boiled detective story / Jewish nation conspiracy?
I've read several "negative" reviews of this book here on Goodreads, and, honestly, before I "got it," I was going to give it three stars (still a solid book worth reading, but without major sociological ramifications). Boy was I wrong. In fact, the number of plot twists that occurred on several occasions just when I thought the story was winding down is staggering.
I really do feel like those who don't get this story are either unaware of the hard boiled genre, or they didn't actually finish the book.
I mean, what's not to love about a alternative historical fiction / hard boiled detective story / Jewish nation conspiracy?
I've read several "negative" reviews of this book here on Goodreads, and, honestly, before I "got it," I was going to give it three stars (still a solid book worth reading, but without major sociological ramifications). Boy was I wrong. In fact, the number of plot twists that occurred on several occasions just when I thought the story was winding down is staggering.
I really do feel like those who don't get this story are either unaware of the hard boiled genre, or they didn't actually finish the book.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am confused as to why this book would qualify for a Hugo. I mean it is an alternate history… but I’ve read ALL the other Hugo award winning novels (I am not kidding) and this is the ONLY one that is just a straight murder mystery with nothing fantasy, sci-fi, or metaphysical about it. The only thing different is the fictitious history part (Jewish refugees live in Alaska after WW2 not Israel) which I would qualify more as a just fiction not fantasy or sci-fi. Chabon himself compares this to Man In the High Castle but I really disagree. Man in the High Castle does include the idea of alternate universes and sets its alternate history within that concept. This is just an alternate history of earth. The characters don’t have any sense or idea that they may be living in a multiverse. In Man in the High Castle the characters even TRAVEL to the other universe briefly. I think considering this novel at all was a huge stretch of the rules.
Other than that, I also did not enjoy the novel. Chabon seems to revel in overly describing the banal and gross. According to Chabon, all humans are disgusting appearing; either fat or scarred or too skinny or broken or sick or addicted. Also everything smells like sweat and spoiled pickles and everyone has breathing problems. Given that almost all the people described are Jews, after a while it seemed odd that everyone was described so unflatteringly. It’s just hard to like a book where everything is physical misery and moist bad smells. The plot itself was fine. Some odd plot holes and a few areas that were hard to follow.
Other than that, I also did not enjoy the novel. Chabon seems to revel in overly describing the banal and gross. According to Chabon, all humans are disgusting appearing; either fat or scarred or too skinny or broken or sick or addicted. Also everything smells like sweat and spoiled pickles and everyone has breathing problems. Given that almost all the people described are Jews, after a while it seemed odd that everyone was described so unflatteringly. It’s just hard to like a book where everything is physical misery and moist bad smells. The plot itself was fine. Some odd plot holes and a few areas that were hard to follow.