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A review by eiseneisen
Enemies: A Love Story by Isaac Bashevis Singer
3.0
I should begin by saying that I generally find it difficult to greatly enjoy books that feature characters I personally dislike. Even if I recognize that the writing is excellent and I find the story entertaining, my enjoyment of the book is tamped. This was the case with the very popular and well written book 'The Kite Runner,' and this is the case with Isaac Bashevis Singer's 'Enemies: A Love Story.'
Herman, the protagonist of 'Enemies: A Love Story,' is one of the most internally weak characters I've come across in literature. He is incapable of acting in an honest, forthright, or considerate manner. He is a complete pushover, and quite despicable. He's not my type of guy, and I did not find inhabiting his world to be a particularly pleasant experience. The characters surrounding Herman are not quite as loathsome as he is, but they too are significantly flawed, and behave in ways I found difficult to relate to.
That said, there are elements of this book worth raving about. It should be noted that I am quick to give up on books that I don't like (there are too many good books worth reading to waste time reading bad ones), but I read 'Enemies: A Love Story' through to the end, over a long period of time. I kept coming back to it, because the writing is superb, the scenario is complex and compelling, and because Singer frequently includes observations about human nature and existence that are truly revelatory, that stuck with me, that I found myself pondering hours and days after I had last read the book.
I wouldn't strongly recommend 'Enemies: A Love Story,' but I do intend to read something else by Isaac Bashevis Singer, because his authorial powers made themselves apparent despite my reviling the characters he created.
Herman, the protagonist of 'Enemies: A Love Story,' is one of the most internally weak characters I've come across in literature. He is incapable of acting in an honest, forthright, or considerate manner. He is a complete pushover, and quite despicable. He's not my type of guy, and I did not find inhabiting his world to be a particularly pleasant experience. The characters surrounding Herman are not quite as loathsome as he is, but they too are significantly flawed, and behave in ways I found difficult to relate to.
That said, there are elements of this book worth raving about. It should be noted that I am quick to give up on books that I don't like (there are too many good books worth reading to waste time reading bad ones), but I read 'Enemies: A Love Story' through to the end, over a long period of time. I kept coming back to it, because the writing is superb, the scenario is complex and compelling, and because Singer frequently includes observations about human nature and existence that are truly revelatory, that stuck with me, that I found myself pondering hours and days after I had last read the book.
I wouldn't strongly recommend 'Enemies: A Love Story,' but I do intend to read something else by Isaac Bashevis Singer, because his authorial powers made themselves apparent despite my reviling the characters he created.