Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon

10 reviews

e_l_thompson's review against another edition

I understand that a part of this book takes place in the 1940's.  Still, I did not appreciate the derogatory language, swearing, or vulgar descriptions.  Also, I felt the narration was overdone.  Davidson aimed for tough and mysterious, film nior, but his cadence often distracted from the storyline and left me confused as to who the characters were and how they related to one another.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Suicide, Car accident, and Pregnancy

shetef's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book has been on my radar for fifteen years at this point. I first became aware of it while working as a page at my hometown library around the time it was written.

This story hits especially hard at this point in my life - figuring out what Jewishness means in a world that often doesn't care about it, an uncertain future. The mystery is well-constructed and this Sitka feels very real, very lived in. I'll be thinking about this book for a very long time.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Grief, and Suicide attempt

dreadspawn's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Antisemitism, and Alcohol

cronads's review against another edition

challenging dark funny sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug abuse

ddclarke's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A strange book to read in 2024, but really interesting combination of hard-boiled noir and alternate history.

Great humour, engaging writing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism and Colonisation

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Abortion

Minor: War

clownonthemoon's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Moderate: Antisemitism

Minor: Abortion

autihd_elno's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism

riverestyx's review against another edition

I was reading this for a book club and it's just so far out of my tastes and I stopped reading it. It's not a bad book. Just didn't reel me in as someone not into that genre

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol

libbyhb's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was such a great read. I love Michael Chabon, but I had only read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay and Gentlemen of the Road before this, as a teenager. He creates such vivid worlds in these books, and Yiddish Policemen's Union was no exception. I felt like I could fully picture every setting, even though I've never been to Alaska and this version of Sitka doesn't exist. The plot was so interesting, and I liked that the main mystery kind of popped in and out of whatever was currently happening. I loved all of the characters, especially Meyer and Berko and Bina. So good.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Gun violence

Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism

joewooley's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

2.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism