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libraryfrog's review against another edition
4.5
Very excellent story telling and insight. Dark and gritty, honest and doesn’t shy away from showing the problematic aspects of many aspects of society both Jewish and goyish. Definitely modern Sholem Aleichem vibes, I really appreciated the nods to Yiddish storytelling. Worth the read because it makes you think and tells a winding story you won’t forget. I read it in smaller chunks because it is heavy.
(All the content warnings for this one, just all of them, including many uses of the G word for Romani people, which doesn't have a specific indicator here.)
(All the content warnings for this one, just all of them, including many uses of the G word for Romani people, which doesn't have a specific indicator here.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, and War
Minor: Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
sarah984's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
The voice in this is super fun and parts of it were genuinely affecting (I loved the story about the "heroic" census taker, and the schism in the town between the two Rabbis who had heard the story of the Holocaust as children was devastating). The book was way too long, though, with a lot of wasted page time, a pointless ending, and terrible writing about women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Confinement, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Stalking
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Rape, Islamophobia, Medical content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail