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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
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.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gripping and unexpected. A brilliant read.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Another case of "saw it pass on the Goodreads timeline, triggering memories of my reading it a long-o time ago". I have very few memories of it, but I think it was good?
4.5 that I’m rounding up for GR.
I just love Chabon. It takes like 50 pages to get into the flow and rhythm, but once I am there I’m hooked. He winds such a good story, builds such a convincing world, & manages to tug at your heart strings in unexpected ways. Some of the book I could do without, but a few extra hours in Chabon’s universe will always be a treat.
I just love Chabon. It takes like 50 pages to get into the flow and rhythm, but once I am there I’m hooked. He winds such a good story, builds such a convincing world, & manages to tug at your heart strings in unexpected ways. Some of the book I could do without, but a few extra hours in Chabon’s universe will always be a treat.
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes