Scan barcode
waggeldoris's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
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
3.25
mafm22's review against another edition
2.0
Depressing and over written.
It's not really a bad book, but a lot of the writing (mostly Ilana's) is stilted / turgid / hyperbolic, and the subject really is depressing.
It's not really a bad book, but a lot of the writing (mostly Ilana's) is stilted / turgid / hyperbolic, and the subject really is depressing.
faintgirl's review against another edition
4.0
I loved, loved, loved the format of this novel. It is told entirely in letters and telegrams between the central and peripheral characters, and indirectly illuminates marriage in a way I've never seen. Ilana used to be married to Alex Gideon, a rather tough academic now residing in Chicago. Together they had a son, Boaz, and it is his wayward ways that reignite their lines of communication. But there's a complicating factor - Ilana has a new husband, who couldn't be more different from Alex. Sommo is highly religious, a converted zealot strongly invested in the resettlement of Israel by the Jewish people, and together they fight, come to roundabout detentes, and try to care for their wayward ward. Throw in some comedy telegrams for the lawyer and you have a story that just zings off the page.
The one thing I hated, and this is entirely by Oz's design, is Sommo. While Alex is a pain in the ass of the righteous and detached sort, Sommo is batshit crazy, and his lengthy letters invoke the Torah and the moral decrepitude of his rival in love. Ilana is something of a cipher, a woman of strong beginnings who reacted to her life falling apart by accepting her role as housewife somewhat reluctantly. Her new husband is overbearing and awful, one hell of a rebound from her strictly rational ex.
I've never seen characters so richly depicted without ever being directly described. An enlightening, if rather hopeless read.
The one thing I hated, and this is entirely by Oz's design, is Sommo. While Alex is a pain in the ass of the righteous and detached sort, Sommo is batshit crazy, and his lengthy letters invoke the Torah and the moral decrepitude of his rival in love. Ilana is something of a cipher, a woman of strong beginnings who reacted to her life falling apart by accepting her role as housewife somewhat reluctantly. Her new husband is overbearing and awful, one hell of a rebound from her strictly rational ex.
I've never seen characters so richly depicted without ever being directly described. An enlightening, if rather hopeless read.
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
This is a story of a dysfunctional family that is trying to help their son who is finding his way in the world. For me Oz's books isn't so much about the actual story, but it is about the beautiful setting: Jerusalem, on a kibbutz, and most of all, it's about his wonderful writing. This particular book is written in one of my favorite styles: epistolary. If I had a favorite character it would be the family lawyer.
jasonlesher's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.25
patsypoo's review against another edition
There's nothing that annoys me more than having to give up on a book, especially when it comes recommended by someone who knows me very well, but I'm halfway through and I've had enough! I HATED Black Box.
The story is told as a collection of letters, notes, telegrams, etc which illustrate the relationships between all the characters. I despised every one of them, a lot of the letters seemed way too contrived - therefore, implausible - and so the book failed miserably in keeping my interest.
As I mentioned previously, I only got to the halfway mark but I feel absolutely no desire to find out what happens to them or how the "story" - in its loosest sense - ends. The way I see it, once the mere thought of picking up a book starts to feel like a chore rather than enjoyment, it's time to cut your losses and part ways.
The story is told as a collection of letters, notes, telegrams, etc which illustrate the relationships between all the characters. I despised every one of them, a lot of the letters seemed way too contrived - therefore, implausible - and so the book failed miserably in keeping my interest.
As I mentioned previously, I only got to the halfway mark but I feel absolutely no desire to find out what happens to them or how the "story" - in its loosest sense - ends. The way I see it, once the mere thought of picking up a book starts to feel like a chore rather than enjoyment, it's time to cut your losses and part ways.
tsadooni's review against another edition
2.0
Dear Amos
some books shouldn't get published, this is one of those books.
some books shouldn't get published, this is one of those books.
yoav's review
5.0
סיימתי את הספר ותוגה ירדה עלי. הקריאה מאתגרת. הספר עוסק כולו בקונפליקט האישי, המקביל במרומז לציבורי, בהפסד וברצון לפיוס.
עלילתו של הספר מתרחשת במהלך שמונה חודשים בשנת 1976 והספר מורכב ממכתבים שכותבים אילנה ואלק, זוג גרוש ומלא איבה שחוזרים לקשר לכאורה סביב הסתבכותו של בנם בועז ובעצם כדי לטפל בפצעי העבר; מישל סומו, בעלה השני של אילנה ואבי ביתם המשותפת. איש ארץ ישראל השלמה; עוה"ד זקהיים, שנע בין נאמנות לאלק לבין קשריו החדשים עם מישל; רחל, אחותה של אילנה הקיבוצניקית הישנה והשמרנית; ובועז הבן הסורר שמוצא את דרכו.
עלילת הספר מסתיימת סמוך לפני נפילת ממשלת העבודה ולא בכדי.
ספר עצמו פורסם כעשור לאחר מכן בשנת 1987 ונראה שכבר אז עוז מביט לאחור על ההתרסקות ומפענח את הקופסה השחורה, האישית-ציבורית באיזו תקווה שהפענוח יוביל לפיוס.
הקריאה של הספר היום, מאפשרת פרספקטיבה אחרת כשהעתיד כבר כאן והדבר לא מוסיף לתחושה העגומה שאיתה נותרתי.
:אחד הציטוטים האהובים עלי
אם אני הוא השד, אילנה, את הבקבוק שלי. לא הצלחתי להחלץ.
וגם את לא הצלחת, ליידי סומו. אם את השד - אני הבקבוק.
עלילתו של הספר מתרחשת במהלך שמונה חודשים בשנת 1976 והספר מורכב ממכתבים שכותבים אילנה ואלק, זוג גרוש ומלא איבה שחוזרים לקשר לכאורה סביב הסתבכותו של בנם בועז ובעצם כדי לטפל בפצעי העבר; מישל סומו, בעלה השני של אילנה ואבי ביתם המשותפת. איש ארץ ישראל השלמה; עוה"ד זקהיים, שנע בין נאמנות לאלק לבין קשריו החדשים עם מישל; רחל, אחותה של אילנה הקיבוצניקית הישנה והשמרנית; ובועז הבן הסורר שמוצא את דרכו.
עלילת הספר מסתיימת סמוך לפני נפילת ממשלת העבודה ולא בכדי.
ספר עצמו פורסם כעשור לאחר מכן בשנת 1987 ונראה שכבר אז עוז מביט לאחור על ההתרסקות ומפענח את הקופסה השחורה, האישית-ציבורית באיזו תקווה שהפענוח יוביל לפיוס.
הקריאה של הספר היום, מאפשרת פרספקטיבה אחרת כשהעתיד כבר כאן והדבר לא מוסיף לתחושה העגומה שאיתה נותרתי.
:אחד הציטוטים האהובים עלי
אם אני הוא השד, אילנה, את הבקבוק שלי. לא הצלחתי להחלץ.
וגם את לא הצלחת, ליידי סומו. אם את השד - אני הבקבוק.
jof's review against another edition
4.0
Como disse quem me emprestou: este livro é estranho, mas lê vale a pena. É isso mesmo, uma estranheza que se entranha, uma vontade de escrever uma carta a alguém, e esperar ansiosamente pela vinda do correio.
yellow_duck's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0