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bookishcitygal's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. Was recommended to me and it’s just not catching my attention. Trying to be better about putting books that don’t draw me in.
angelsrgorgeous's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
At times, this is laugh out loud funny - lots of metaphor, philosophical / intellectual argumentation and quite a few great statements are being made.
I was surprised that you don't meet the Netanyahus until almost 60% of the way through the book. While the beginning first half is valuable, you do need to be patient. Watch for the observations and readings of Jewish culture, history, etc., presented in metaphorical incidents.
The more you know of Hebrew, Jewish tradition, history, politics, and culture, the more you'll appreciate this instead of finding it taxing. A basic understanding of Yiddish and German certainly helps too, but isn't as necessary.
Despite this book displaying two of the things that typically annoy me (1) an author who clearly loves hearing himself talk, and (2) often an obviously heavy use of the thesaurus, I still think the book was quite wonderful.
I was surprised that you don't meet the Netanyahus until almost 60% of the way through the book. While the beginning first half is valuable, you do need to be patient. Watch for the observations and readings of Jewish culture, history, etc., presented in metaphorical incidents.
The more you know of Hebrew, Jewish tradition, history, politics, and culture, the more you'll appreciate this instead of finding it taxing. A basic understanding of Yiddish and German certainly helps too, but isn't as necessary.
Despite this book displaying two of the things that typically annoy me (1) an author who clearly loves hearing himself talk, and (2) often an obviously heavy use of the thesaurus, I still think the book was quite wonderful.
jmaxlewis's review against another edition
5.0
Absolute masterpiece. Written like a good TV show is dialogued, this book’s action are ludicrous and illustrated perfectly on the page.
The whole Corbin community, the depiction of Jewry from the Iberian inquisition up until the 1960s, the quips and wit and analysis…reading this book as a reader would’ve had me enthralled already at the writing style, but reading this book as a reader and a Jew taught me so much. It shined light on Jewish life in such an easy to read,profound, and particularly modern way- prompting me to consider history, culture, religion, society.
So epic! I expected a lot from a pulitzer winner and it did not disappoint one bit.
The whole Corbin community, the depiction of Jewry from the Iberian inquisition up until the 1960s, the quips and wit and analysis…reading this book as a reader would’ve had me enthralled already at the writing style, but reading this book as a reader and a Jew taught me so much. It shined light on Jewish life in such an easy to read,profound, and particularly modern way- prompting me to consider history, culture, religion, society.
So epic! I expected a lot from a pulitzer winner and it did not disappoint one bit.
reggiewoods's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kimberlymichelle's review against another edition
Not in the mood just now but it’s good.
jslive's review against another edition
5.0
"The Netanyahus: An account of a minor and ultimately even negligible episode in the history of a very famous family" by Joshua Cohen is hilarious and good on identity politics. Winner of the Pulitzer.
robingriffiths17's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
Bit slow to get into but good pace in the last half. Not funny(reviews confused me?), but great book about Boston Brahmin life and Jewish American identity