A review by carlyoc
All Other Nights by Dara Horn

informative reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Not as well-written as Horn's other work that I am reading right now, People Love Dead Jews, although I am not sure if that is because All Other Nights was earlier in her career or if non-fiction is more her forte. Nevertheless, it is an interesting story with some very thought-provoking moments, such as when Jacob attends a Passover seder in the home of Jewish family members on the Confederate side of the Civil war. Their hypocrisy hangs thick in the air as they ritually retell the Biblical account of the Hebrews being freed by God from slavery in Egypt, while enslaved Africans bring them each dish of the meal. Jacob also experiences antisemitism on both sides of the war, forced to prove himself to the Union officers by agreeing to become their spy and assassin, to exploit the network Jews like him have created for their own safety throughout the country to work his way into the confidences of those on the other side of the war. 
I did learn some interesting although disappointing historical tidbits such as the fact that the attorney general of the Confederacy was a Jewish man named Judah Benjamin. 
Overall, I would call this a interesting read for historical fiction fans and Jewish readers who want to see historical events explored through a Jewish perspective, but not a must-read. 
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