Reviews
It's a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Jewish Stories by Katherine Locke, Laura Silverman
jordb1213's review against another edition
3.0
I have *literally* never been more disappointed by anything.
I want the good Jewish Rep SO BADLY. SO BADLY Y'ALL.
But like a lot of these anthologies, the stories are very very hit or miss and this collection is very repetitive.
I am so sad.
I wanted to love this. There were some great stories, there were also just a lot of less great ones too
I want the good Jewish Rep SO BADLY. SO BADLY Y'ALL.
But like a lot of these anthologies, the stories are very very hit or miss and this collection is very repetitive.
I am so sad.
I wanted to love this. There were some great stories, there were also just a lot of less great ones too
ilikecows321's review against another edition
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
eavery's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t usually like short story collections, but these were quite charming.
alay13's review against another edition
1.0
Rough. I generally like short stories, but most of these make no sense or beg for some serious editing. I kept hating practically every single one, and that’s despite really wanting to like them all.
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think my expectations were a little high for this one (roughly 14/15 authors for this anthology and you only one one non American? That didn’t sit right with me)
I am not Jewish so I can’t speak to the validity / authenticity of these characters but I did learn a lot and I think if you are or know someone who is Jewish, this could benefit them in the sense that there are stories for them too.
I am not Jewish so I can’t speak to the validity / authenticity of these characters but I did learn a lot and I think if you are or know someone who is Jewish, this could benefit them in the sense that there are stories for them too.
smallredboy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
zoepagereader's review against another edition
3.0
This is the fourth book in a row I’ve read that kinda sucks. I was not expecting this to be a romance short story collection and I find it hard to care about the love lives of characters in that short amount of time. There were a couple I liked, and I hope the next book I read will be better.
snazel's review against another edition
4.0
Indoor Kids, by Alex London
Very good and funny, with a side of space disaster. I ship it.
Two Truths and an Oy, by Dahlia Adler
Quite short! Sheltered girl from an Orthodox community goes out into the wider world and finds it is stressful.
The Hold, by David Levithan
Well this is very good to read and a master class in structure and hits like a lightning bolt.
Aftershocks, by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Adorable!
Good Shabbos, by Goldy Moldavsky
I both loved and struggled with the narration here, but I am always a fan of newsy footnotes.
Jewbacca, by Lance Rubin
Very funny, and I DIED INSIDE during most of that Hanukkah party.
El Al 328, by Dana Schwartz
Well that was Not upbeat.
Some Days You’re The Sidekick; Some Days You’re The Superhero, by Katherine Locke
Wow I need to read more Katherine Locke, this was fantastic.
He Who Revives The Dead, by Elie Lichtschein
Some great lines in this one, but I’m not sure if I buy overcoming a near-death experience with skinny dipping.
Be Brave and All, by Laura Silverman
Sneaking out to go to a protest together? This is the best Meet Cute.
Neilah, by Hannah Moskowitz
This was VERY good. CW: for eating disorder.
Find the River, by Matthue Roth
That was a very specific teenage experience that I didn’t quite get.
Ajshara, by Adi Alsaid
A lot of sex in this one! Also ghosts, which is cool, but a lot of sex!
Twelve Frames, Nova Ren Suma
I am so glad I am not into fashion, this sounds exhausting. But you go, girl.
Very good and funny, with a side of space disaster. I ship it.
Two Truths and an Oy, by Dahlia Adler
Quite short! Sheltered girl from an Orthodox community goes out into the wider world and finds it is stressful.
The Hold, by David Levithan
Well this is very good to read and a master class in structure and hits like a lightning bolt.
Aftershocks, by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Adorable!
Good Shabbos, by Goldy Moldavsky
I both loved and struggled with the narration here, but I am always a fan of newsy footnotes.
Jewbacca, by Lance Rubin
Very funny, and I DIED INSIDE during most of that Hanukkah party.
El Al 328, by Dana Schwartz
Well that was Not upbeat.
Some Days You’re The Sidekick; Some Days You’re The Superhero, by Katherine Locke
Wow I need to read more Katherine Locke, this was fantastic.
He Who Revives The Dead, by Elie Lichtschein
Some great lines in this one, but I’m not sure if I buy overcoming a near-death experience with skinny dipping.
Be Brave and All, by Laura Silverman
Sneaking out to go to a protest together? This is the best Meet Cute.
Neilah, by Hannah Moskowitz
This was VERY good. CW: for eating disorder.
Find the River, by Matthue Roth
That was a very specific teenage experience that I didn’t quite get.
Ajshara, by Adi Alsaid
A lot of sex in this one! Also ghosts, which is cool, but a lot of sex!
Twelve Frames, Nova Ren Suma
I am so glad I am not into fashion, this sounds exhausting. But you go, girl.