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lizendo's review against another edition
2.0
I made it until the end of part one. On page 34, the main character masturbates to porn in his nephew’s bed, feels judged by his nephew’s fish so he feeds them and “a sizable dollop of sperm drops into the tank.” After that, he finds Kaddish.com and applies, then closes the window and finds another tab of a woman masturbating with a glass dildo still open.
2 stars because at least the Judaic practices were accurate.
This was a good idea for a book. It’s disappointing this is what Englander did with it.
2 stars because at least the Judaic practices were accurate.
This was a good idea for a book. It’s disappointing this is what Englander did with it.
rsinclair6536's review against another edition
2.0
Fine by me to use satire in a novel to help write about serious topics like Kaddish and atonement, but the satire isn’t sustained, and the plot is built on a premise too weak to support the enterprise. Internet-based prayer service for hire based on the other side of the world? Larry’s persistent naivete is wholly unbelievable.
jfaberrit's review against another edition
5.0
Apparently, this novel isn't for everyone, but apparently it is for me. A thoughtful exploration of orthodoxy, tradition, and meaning within the Jewish community, I thought this book hit home even though I don't particularly have a lot of love for the protagonist. As both Larry and Shuli, he is almost charming but ultimately too self-involved to really be the good man he wishes to be. The sharpness of the book is in some ways reserved for Jewish tradition -- Larry/Shuli does (nearly) everything within the bounds fo Jewish law, but it is hard to see how that maps to any notion of goodness that would suffice for a non-religious or even Reform/Conservative jew. Even when making up for his previous faults (sins? irresponsible moments?) he still has the same blindspots in looking out for others that embody the spirit of the law rather than the letter. In the end, from the perspective of Jewish philosophy, this is always the key tension, whether to follow the rules or the goals the rules are supposed to embody, and here it is explored to wonderful effect. The book in general is full of funny, broad characters and wonderful descriptions, and is a pleasure to read and think about. A real gem.
reyreyjay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.5
jansbookcorner's review against another edition
3.0
A light, quick read about a wayward Jewish son that does not want to commit to saying kaddish for his father. His solution, hire someone to do it through kaddish.com. Fast forward a few years and the wayward Jewish son has become a devout Jew and is now struggling with what he did those many years ago. His solution is to find the person who said kaddish and redeem his birthright.
A simple story told well, even though it would have been more enjoyable if I knew the Jewish terms used. Larry/Shuli draws you into his moral dilemma and the methods he uses to resolve it. I always consider a book successful when at the end, I wonder what happens next. This is one of those books. It is a satire, so not a heavy read, but it does have some good moral truths.
A simple story told well, even though it would have been more enjoyable if I knew the Jewish terms used. Larry/Shuli draws you into his moral dilemma and the methods he uses to resolve it. I always consider a book successful when at the end, I wonder what happens next. This is one of those books. It is a satire, so not a heavy read, but it does have some good moral truths.
aliena_jackson's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, I’m just glad Larry went back to using Shuli. Larry is kind of a terrible name.
But! In all seriousness, I loved this book, and I found it to be very informative for a goyim like me. I didn’t realize how deeply rooted intellectualism and philosophy are in Judaism. I grew up in a Christian-lite environment, where the extent of religion was going to church once in awhile, not using the Lord’s name in vain, and saying your prayers before bed. It always felt lacking to me, and now I see that religion can be so much more than an occasional visit to church or volunteer work in the name of G-d. It can cause an entire life to revolve around it, composing all of the good and bad moments through its lens. It’s a touching thought.
But! In all seriousness, I loved this book, and I found it to be very informative for a goyim like me. I didn’t realize how deeply rooted intellectualism and philosophy are in Judaism. I grew up in a Christian-lite environment, where the extent of religion was going to church once in awhile, not using the Lord’s name in vain, and saying your prayers before bed. It always felt lacking to me, and now I see that religion can be so much more than an occasional visit to church or volunteer work in the name of G-d. It can cause an entire life to revolve around it, composing all of the good and bad moments through its lens. It’s a touching thought.
jndutc's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
zeyer_ayngenem's review against another edition
3.0
As usual with Englander lots of imagery and detail that really resonate. Kaddish.com gave me immense anxiety while reading, which is one testament to its Jewish authenticity. It’s tempting for me to drash the novel in a way where it is actually a very elaborate critique of what I think the book is doing...but the protagonists own constant, obsessive, myopic exegesis is all the unhinged analyzing and justifying I can handle today. A weird one to be honest: I saw a myself in our antihero (in some challenging ways), but also felt unsettled and alienated by a lot of it. The ending left me unsatisfied.
katys_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ellathorpe's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5