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Most Helpful Favorable Review
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Ghetto Mentality Retrogression
Mr. Chabon writes a masterpiece of a ¿what-if¿ portion of history. In this case, what if the Jews lost their War on Independence on 1948?
The solution was one proffered at that time, of region in Sitka Alaska for a 40 year term, after which there would be no mo...Read More
The solution was one proffered at that time, of region in Sitka Alaska for a 40 year term, after which there would be no mo...Read More
Mr. Chabon writes a masterpiece of a ¿what-if¿ portion of history. In this case, what if the Jews lost their War on Independence on 1948?
The solution was one proffered at that time, of region in Sitka Alaska for a 40 year term, after which there would be no more sanctuary.
In clear, lyric writing, Chabon brings out the historical facts and dress them with the ¿ghetto mentality¿ prevalent in European Jewry. No longer did the "New Jew" posses the Spartan-like Israeli warrior; instead, we still have the pacifistic minority who try to eke out a living. We see that self-determination is not even on the radar screen for this forlorn group.
This mystery is shrouded with ¿Jewish-isms¿ ¿ the cerebral approach; psychological turmoil; lust for life (over cover); some of the underground elements (which include some of the arcane elements of the red heifer paradox). It even characterizes the Chasidim, as the Other, as well as the fractious Jewish community.
I used this book in a book club with extraordinarily good results, particularly showing how the World War 2 generation coped to survive in a world hostile to Jews.Show Less
The solution was one proffered at that time, of region in Sitka Alaska for a 40 year term, after which there would be no more sanctuary.
In clear, lyric writing, Chabon brings out the historical facts and dress them with the ¿ghetto mentality¿ prevalent in European Jewry. No longer did the "New Jew" posses the Spartan-like Israeli warrior; instead, we still have the pacifistic minority who try to eke out a living. We see that self-determination is not even on the radar screen for this forlorn group.
This mystery is shrouded with ¿Jewish-isms¿ ¿ the cerebral approach; psychological turmoil; lust for life (over cover); some of the underground elements (which include some of the arcane elements of the red heifer paradox). It even characterizes the Chasidim, as the Other, as well as the fractious Jewish community.
I used this book in a book club with extraordinarily good results, particularly showing how the World War 2 generation coped to survive in a world hostile to Jews.Show Less
posted by afinkle on November 9, 2008
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Most Helpful Critical Review
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
A tough read.
I almost abandoned the book several times. I did not understand the background until after reading the book at then reading someone's review. I had to re-read several pages trying to make sense of them. I turned the glossary a lot, which I thought was helpful, but th...Read More
I almost abandoned the book several times. I did not understand the background until after reading the book at then reading someone's review. I had to re-read several pages trying to make sense of them. I turned the glossary a lot, which I thought was helpful, but there were still a lot of words that were not listed. I don't plan on recommended it to friends.Show Less
posted by Juliep on December 17, 2008
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Juliep
Posted December 17, 2008
A tough read.
I almost abandoned the book several times. I did not understand the background until after reading the book at then reading someone's review. I had to re-read several pages trying to make sense of them. I turned the glossary a lot, which I thought was helpful, but there were still a lot of words that were not listed. I don't plan on recommended it to friends.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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I don't get it-
The first 275 pages were bleak and slow; the next 50 pages were promising; the denouement was disappointing. I can't recommend it.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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afinkle
Posted November 9, 2008
I Also Recommend:
Ghetto Mentality Retrogression
Mr. Chabon writes a masterpiece of a ¿what-if¿ portion of history. In this case, what if the Jews lost their War on Independence on 1948?
The solution was one proffered at that time, of region in Sitka Alaska for a 40 year term, after which there would be no more sanctuary.
In clear, lyric writing, Chabon brings out the historical facts and dress them with the ¿ghetto mentality¿ prevalent in European Jewry. No longer did the "New Jew" posses the Spartan-like Israeli warrior; instead, we still have the pacifistic minority who try to eke out a living. We see that self-determination is not even on the radar screen for this forlorn group.
This mystery is shrouded with ¿Jewish-isms¿ ¿ the cerebral approach; psychological turmoil; lust for life (over cover); some of the underground elements (which include some of the arcane elements of the red heifer paradox). It even characterizes the Chasidim, as the Other, as well as the fractious Jewish community.
I used this book in a book club with extraordinarily good results, particularly showing how the World War 2 generation coped to survive in a world hostile to Jews.3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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liltie
Posted March 30, 2009
I am not worthy
This book is a work of art. Chabon reinvents the detective story while keeping its conventions. Take "The Big Sleep" meets "Blade Runner", make every character Jewish and set it in near-present Alaska.
The imagery and description is so compelling and complex, I found myself re-reading paragraphs just for the enjoyment of the words.
I got lost in this book, and that's the reason I read.2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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nbNYC
Posted January 29, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Wildly Entertaining
I read all the reviews and sympathize with the person who said he/she may have been thrown off by all the "Yiddish stuff." I love all of Chabon's books--The Adventures of Cavalier and Clay is one of my all-time favorites--and I loved this book too but I can definitely see how someone not familiar with the Yiddish language and Jewish culture would get lost and lose patience. However, if you do know about Hasidic Jewish culture, the tension between secular and religious Jews, and if you know a bit of Yiddish, this book is hilarious and, of course, because it's Chabon, brilliantly written.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted June 27, 2007
I am Very Confused and Disappointed!
I waited so long for this book to be published. I rushed to the bookstore to purchased it immediately.I regret that now.It's a flat,boring,uneven box. I finally plugged my way to the end, but it was tempting to just put it away and forget it. It wasn't worth the time invested in trying to get through it. Maybe I need to learn Yiddish,as many words were puzzling and caused the story the story to lose flow and tone.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted June 2, 2007
My first Chabon and worth the read
Imagine a land with Indians and Jews meshed together by Presidential decree, gangster Jews running around as card sharks and terrorists bent on resdiscovering the second Temple. Then through in a semi-rogue, rarely sober cop, living in a flea-bog hotel gets sucked in by the murder of a chess-obsessed heroin addict who is also supposed to be a messiah. Oh, and the cop's new boss, his ex-wife. This story for the ages runs through so many facets of history, ancient and otherwise, in an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable read. Chabon is clearly a master storyteller with wit and intrigue to keep the story going. In this day of formulaic novels and give it to me now digital influences, this book is a welcome repreive and reminder of the power of the written word.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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interesting alternate history police procedural frozen Noir
In 1948 with the collapse of Israel, the question of a Jewish State is temporarily resolved when Alaska becomes the homeland for the Diaspora Jews. However, the agreement is that this is not the Promised Land as the Alaskan Settlement Act authorized a sixty year lease. In two months, the Reversion occurs raising the question what to do about two million Alaskan Jews. --- Sitka police detective Meyer Landsman relies on alcohol to keep him from going over the edge. His marriage died alongside the abortion of their birth defected fetus while his sister died in a plane crash. His sleuthing skills no longer are keen as he does not care whether he solves a case or not. --- Shocking even himself, a murder in his dumpy Hotel Zamenhof awakens the once dedicated cop inside of Landsman as he goes for one last piece of glory knowing he will be unemployed once the reversion is implemented. The victim Emanuel Lasker was a harmless heroin addict who played chess no apparent motive surfaces as to why he was executed. Even more surprising is his former wife and suddenly current boss have reentered his life and he has been promoted the police chief for the final sixty days. Still Landsman allows nothing to intervene in his uncovering the identity of the culprit that is nothing except some hazy rumor that his sister was murdered instead of dying in an accident. --- This interesting alternate history police procedural frozen Noir provides a fascinating spin to the twentieth century issue of the Jewish homeland. The kvetching levels are stratospheric as fears of being abandoned again lead to the historical chosen mantra 'It's a strange time to be a Jew.' Landsman is an interesting character who finds redemption in the murder investigation. Though a conspiracy takes away from the prime theme of what if the Jews were placed elsewhere, readers will appreciate this innovative thriller. --- Harriet Klausner
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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zabo
Posted August 31, 2010
Excellent
Great book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Fatdog
Posted August 17, 2010
Want to read more!
This book is a very sharp parody/critique of Zionism. You don't need to be Jewish to really get this book (I'm not), but a good understanding of Judaism or Zionism would be helpful. As the dustjacket states, this books is all sorts of stories in one (part mystery, part critique, part story about love and life). I love the way Chabon writes, and am looking forward to reading more of his work.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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slateraser
Posted May 27, 2010
Witty and Intelligent
I have to admit I was a little put off by the cover. I was searching for a bookclub novel that was a little bit different. I found the title of the book to be intriquing and after reading the synopsis I purchased the book. I enjoyed the book right from the beginning. Michael Chabon has a way of developing each character so that you feel you could sit down and play chess with them. He develops the plot slowly with humor that actually had me laughing out loud at times. It is a classic "who done it" with an unbelievable twist. I thought to myself "Oy vey, who comes up with this stuff." His use of the Yiddish language throughout the book only adds to making it a more genuine read. I didn't even know there was a glossary in the back until I had turned the last page. The only negative comment that I have is that sometimes it was a bit verbose but I attribute that to Michael Chabbon's literary signature. It's a great read and one that should be added to everyone's must read list.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 17, 2010
WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!!
This was my first Michael Chabon book. I thought I'd give it a try due to all the glowing reviews on the back of the book and all the bruhaha regarding all of this other books. The use of all the Yiddish didn't deter me & the plot/storyline seemed like it would hold my interest. Was I wrong. It started out OK but by the middle of the book I was so completly bored and the storyline became so convoluted I almost didn't finish it. But I kept with it because usually the author saves the best part of the story for last. WRONG!!! It took me almost a month to finish the last 50-75 pages. I would definetly not recommend this book.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted September 23, 2009
I finally got it!
Like many reviewers I had difficulty entering into the story, as a "what if" fantasy history was not what I was expecting. I may have given up, but it's our book group choice for November. When I finally got it, I reread some of the first chapters and suddenly found them wonderfully descriptive! I started my own glossary of Yiddioms--do you mean to tell me some books already have glossaries?? Anyway, by repetition their meanings became clearer. (The online Yiddish dictionary link at the end of the book was little help.) Chabon had a thing for describing smells: air, food, body odors, his ex-wife, hotel rooms, babies, etc. They sometimes were lengthy but interesting. I probably would not recommend the book to anyone else I know, but that's no reflection on the author. More likely because I have impatient friends.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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AbbyGirlWB
Posted September 12, 2009
An Unusual Twist on History
This book was really different. Not only an acceptable mystery but an intriguing "what if" on a major historical event. It's thoughtful and the characters are compelling. So believable that I hit Wikipedia upon finishing the book to find out if I'd missed my history class when this "happened". Not a quick read, but well worth the time.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Blizzard-dweller
Posted March 16, 2009
Disappointing experience after Kavalier and Clay
I really enjoyed Kavalier and Clay, so assumed I would like Yiddish Policemen's Union. The covers gave this book rave reviews, so I thought I'd give it a chance. Huge disappointment! Not only were the characters forgettable and the plot contrived and hard to follow, but the author depended so heavily on using Yiddish terms instead of English ones that he found it necessary to provide a glossary in the back of the book. It's a novelty to use a glossary a few times, but after thumbing to the back for the seemingly thousandth time, I said "life's too short" and put the book down. Way too much trouble to read and follow!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted March 12, 2009
Did not like this book!
I struggled with this book. Strange writing. I guess it is not for me.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Alagria
Posted February 13, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Maybe if I were Jewish...
This quirky book leaves me cold. The plot is truly creative, and the twists and turns intriguing. However, I had no interest in the characters, found parts of the book confusing and overwritten, and in general had to force myself to read it to the end. Not something I would recommend.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted August 9, 2007
WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT
I waited a month to get this book from my public library and I trudged through 130 pages and gave up. I loved The Mysteries of Pittsburgh but all of his other ones didn't tempt me. I decided to read this one because of all the recommendations. I'm sorry I wasted my time. It was very slow and tedious reading. Being jewish, I really thought I would enjoy the jewish theme but I was wrong.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted May 31, 2007
A difficult and abandoned read.
I had great hopes for this book. I liked the premise but had a lot of trouble keeping the characters straight and deciphering the 'yiddish-speak.' (I could have used a dictionary). I gave up 1/3 of the way through.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted June 4, 2007
SLOW START...I QUIT
This book was listed on the best-seller list, so of course I had to give it a try. (I read about 100 books a year) A page turner--NOT! The slow start was so leisurely that to move with any less forward momentum would have to put it into reverse! I gave up about a quarter of the way through. Perhaps if I had stuck to it I would have been impressed--but how long would that have taken???
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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