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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-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
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.