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Ancora_Imparo (USA: CA) (2008/07/15):
I have just finished reading The Yiddish Policemen's Union. I picked it up because I LOVE The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by the same author. I liked this one ... not so much. I enjoyed the main characters Landsman and Shemets (the policemen) but I felt the writer, Mr. Chabon, was over the top with the noir-ish part of the book. LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of details. From a building, a beggar on the street, to the black hairs on Landsman's leg. Too much of a good thing is too much. Meyer Landsman is NOT Phillip Marlowe although I think the author wants him to be. Lots of Kvetching going on. I enjoyed the ex-wife (she has Chutzpah!). The story kind of wanders around. Perhaps I am not smart enough (or Jewish enough) to pick up all the nuances and clues. I give it to you, my fellow moochers, to decide for yourself. I would be interested to know what you think of this book as I am a bit farmisht!
T. Pietila (Finland) (2008/07/22):
Well, probably everyone reading this knows what the book is about. Also, almost everyone seems to love this book. I don't. In fact I found this book to be almost unreadable, and also failure. The book is supposed to happen in alternative world in Alaska, where jewish people were settled when Israel failed. The Sitka city is supposed to have more than million people. Those things can't been seen in the novel. The city feels like a smallish east European town. The setting in Alaska, the nearness of ocean have practically no effect to the story. The alternative world concept seem very poorly thought out - there are tantalizing glimpses to differences, but that is all there are. There not followed up, they have no significant relation to the plot. The language is hard to follow, it has an abundance of Yiddish words. The use of those words is horrible selfserving with no real need or meaning. Those words are not only used for characters speech or for such concepts which have no exact meaning in English language, they are also used with no reason at all. For example "elevator" may be sometimes spelled "elevatoro", it can be understood, but why? The main part of the book and plot also demand a great degree of familiarity with jewish culture and customs. I personally don't have that, and I not much have interest to get one. If you have those qualities, this book might be just and just readable, if you don't those interests, I would recommend: Forget it!
justjesus (USA: TX) (2011/02/28):
I really liked this book, the story was compelling, it was extremely well written, but didn't strike that chord in me. I was waiting for that feeling, the feeling I got with 'Shadow of the Wind', but that never happened. That being said, it was a page turner towards the middle of the book and the characters were fairly well fleshed out. I would have like to see a wee bit more passionate. That being said, I would recommend this book to anyone else and I would read more from this author.
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