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shane_tiernan's review against another edition
3.0
Reading this with Shelley. It had an interesting introduction but it makes me wonder how much of the stories were actually created by the author because it sounds like they are "re-tellings". I'm also wondering how closely the stories are all linked.
So this was a collection of unconnected stories. It had golems, angels, demons, and miracle healers but it really wasn't a swords and sorcery fantasy collection. It tended more toward "magical realism". Some of the stories ended rather abruptly but most had a nice message about everyday people that could be considered saints. Sometimes the message was a bit subtle but I think I got most of them.
So this was a collection of unconnected stories. It had golems, angels, demons, and miracle healers but it really wasn't a swords and sorcery fantasy collection. It tended more toward "magical realism". Some of the stories ended rather abruptly but most had a nice message about everyday people that could be considered saints. Sometimes the message was a bit subtle but I think I got most of them.
lapantofola83's review against another edition
5.0
Un libro magico. Sono 12 storie senza, magiche, che ti avvolgono in un incantesimo che sa di passato, presente e futuro.
stacialithub's review against another edition
3.0
A different (at least for me) set of folktales (supposedly variations on some Jewish folktales), some clever, some charming, some disturbing. Enjoyed both the Author's Foreword & the Editors' Afterword as they added some fun, fictional surroundings for the set of tales -- adding a little layer to the 'mystery' of the telling of the tales.
I'm not a huge fan of short stories (& don't necessarily lump folktales into a 'short stories' category even though they are, I suppose), but I found this to be similar to how I think of short story collections -- one or two of the tales are really great, most are ok, and one or two I don't like. Generally speaking, I'm glad I read it, just because it included stuff that is different from the standard folktales I know.
I'm not a huge fan of short stories (& don't necessarily lump folktales into a 'short stories' category even though they are, I suppose), but I found this to be similar to how I think of short story collections -- one or two of the tales are really great, most are ok, and one or two I don't like. Generally speaking, I'm glad I read it, just because it included stuff that is different from the standard folktales I know.
thegreatescape's review against another edition
3.0
This book reminds me of the bedtime stories I heard as a kid, with an adult twist. It was entertaining, and an easy read.
wishanem's review against another edition
4.0
Charming and folkloric in pacing and style, but full of modern themes and attitudes towards morality. It is very quickly clear that the exact settings aren't an important part of these stories. Their magic lies in the choices of the characters and the emotional impact of the stories. Some of the stories were very strange in a good way, and some in a not-good way. Overall, I enjoyed the book and it gave me a lot to think about.
Words I learned from this book:
Lamedh-Vov: the 36 saintly people who justify to God that humanity does not need to be destroyed.
quotidian: daily, ordinary
maggid: (from Hebrew for “narrator”) an itinerant Jewish preacher
dybbuk: a malevolent wandering spirit that enters and possesses the body of a living person until exorcized.
febrile: feverish
yahrzeit: (from Yiddish) the anniversary of someone's death, especially a parent's
beadle: a ceremonial officer of a church, college, or similar institution.
zaftig: (from Yiddish for “juicy”) having a full, rounded figure; plump.
carillon: (from French for “peal of four bells”) a set of bells in a tower.
connubial: related to marriage, conjugal
trousseaus: the clothes, household linen, and other belongings collected by a bride for her marriage.
Words I learned from this book:
Lamedh-Vov: the 36 saintly people who justify to God that humanity does not need to be destroyed.
quotidian: daily, ordinary
maggid: (from Hebrew for “narrator”) an itinerant Jewish preacher
dybbuk: a malevolent wandering spirit that enters and possesses the body of a living person until exorcized.
febrile: feverish
yahrzeit: (from Yiddish) the anniversary of someone's death, especially a parent's
beadle: a ceremonial officer of a church, college, or similar institution.
zaftig: (from Yiddish for “juicy”) having a full, rounded figure; plump.
carillon: (from French for “peal of four bells”) a set of bells in a tower.
connubial: related to marriage, conjugal
trousseaus: the clothes, household linen, and other belongings collected by a bride for her marriage.
acton's review against another edition
4.0
The Book of the Unknown: Tales of the Thirty Six brings to life the concept of the Lamedh-Vov, the thirty-six pure souls who must exist at all times to justify humanity, as outlined in Jewish folklore. Coincidentally, I encountered this concept very recently in another novel, called The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss, which definitely influenced my expectation that these thirty-six pure souls would be the most righteous human beings. And yet. Here we are presented with stories of twelve lives, one third of the Lamedh-Vov who were supposed to have existed at one point in time, and these souls are quite a surprise.
Keats's tales are introduced with a fictional foreward by a fictional professor and followed by a fictional editor's afterward, letting the public in on the events surrounding these very controversial stories and the possible fate of the author, who has disappeared.
And this work would be controversial, indeed, since these pure souls are composed of an idiot, a liar, a gambler, a thief, a clown, a whore, a false messiah, a cheat, an idler, a golem, a murderer, and a rebel. But wait, wait--they are here for a reason. Every one of them encounters the worst hatred and cruelty that human nature has to offer, but they respond with kindness and wisdom, improving the lives of everyone around them. Some of these characters meet more fortunate endings than others, and these endings are not predictable.
Of these twelve folkloric stories, my personal favorites are Alef the Idiot, Heyh the Clown, Tet the Idler, Yod the Inhuman, and Yod-Beit the Rebel. This book isn't out yet, but if you should come across it, I'd be most interested to know which tales caught your eye. They are all fascinating; as soon as I started one, I had to finish.
Keats's tales are introduced with a fictional foreward by a fictional professor and followed by a fictional editor's afterward, letting the public in on the events surrounding these very controversial stories and the possible fate of the author, who has disappeared.
And this work would be controversial, indeed, since these pure souls are composed of an idiot, a liar, a gambler, a thief, a clown, a whore, a false messiah, a cheat, an idler, a golem, a murderer, and a rebel. But wait, wait--they are here for a reason. Every one of them encounters the worst hatred and cruelty that human nature has to offer, but they respond with kindness and wisdom, improving the lives of everyone around them. Some of these characters meet more fortunate endings than others, and these endings are not predictable.
Of these twelve folkloric stories, my personal favorites are Alef the Idiot, Heyh the Clown, Tet the Idler, Yod the Inhuman, and Yod-Beit the Rebel. This book isn't out yet, but if you should come across it, I'd be most interested to know which tales caught your eye. They are all fascinating; as soon as I started one, I had to finish.
acton's review
5.0
While I was enjoying this book, I had never heard of Jonathan Keats. He is a conceptual artist whose most famous project seems to be the Atheon, a temple devoted to science and rational belief, at the Judah L. Magnes Museum in Berkeley, California, where he is challenging people to question their conceptions about science and religion.
"When you listen to people like Nobel laureate cosmologist Steven Weinberg, or Oxford biologist Richard Dawkins, you hear a lot of talk about how god-based religion is out-of-date," says Keats. "The leading minds believe that science can and should provide a spiritually satisfying replacement. But until recently no one bothered to consider what form that alternative might take.
Keats has admirers and critics, but whether one agrees with him or not, I think most would agree that he has an intriguing mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, on with the book review! The Book of the Unknown: Tales of the Thirty Six brings to life the concept of the Lamedh-Vov, the thirty-six pure souls who must exist at all times to justify humanity, as outlined in Jewish folklore. Coincidentally, I encountered this concept very recently in another novel, called The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss, which definitely influenced my expectation that these thirty-six pure souls would be the most righteous human beings. And yet. Here we are presented with stories of twelve lives, one third of the Lamedh-Vov who were supposed to have existed at one point in time, and these souls are quite a surprise.
Keats's tales are introduced with a fictional foreward by a fictional professor and followed by a fictional editor's afterward, letting the public in on the events surrounding these very controversial stories and the possible fate of the author, who has disappeared.
And indeed, this work would be controversal, since these pure souls are composed of an idiot, a liar, a gambler, a thief, a clown, a whore, a false messiah, a cheat, an idler, a golem, a murderer, and a rebel. But wait, wait--they are here for a reason. Every one of them encounters the worst hatred and cruelty that human nature has to offer, but they respond with kindness and wisdom, improving the lives of everyone around them. Some of these characters meet more fortunate endings than others, and the endings are not predictable.
Of these twelve folkloric stories, my personal favorites are Alef the Idiot, Heyh the Clown, Tet the Idler, Yod the Inhuman, and Yod-Beit the Rebel. I'd be very interested in knowing which tales caught the fancy of others, too. They are all fascinating; as soon as I started one, I had to finish.
It was a most pleasant experience. Thank you:)
"When you listen to people like Nobel laureate cosmologist Steven Weinberg, or Oxford biologist Richard Dawkins, you hear a lot of talk about how god-based religion is out-of-date," says Keats. "The leading minds believe that science can and should provide a spiritually satisfying replacement. But until recently no one bothered to consider what form that alternative might take.
Keats has admirers and critics, but whether one agrees with him or not, I think most would agree that he has an intriguing mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, on with the book review! The Book of the Unknown: Tales of the Thirty Six brings to life the concept of the Lamedh-Vov, the thirty-six pure souls who must exist at all times to justify humanity, as outlined in Jewish folklore. Coincidentally, I encountered this concept very recently in another novel, called The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss, which definitely influenced my expectation that these thirty-six pure souls would be the most righteous human beings. And yet. Here we are presented with stories of twelve lives, one third of the Lamedh-Vov who were supposed to have existed at one point in time, and these souls are quite a surprise.
Keats's tales are introduced with a fictional foreward by a fictional professor and followed by a fictional editor's afterward, letting the public in on the events surrounding these very controversial stories and the possible fate of the author, who has disappeared.
And indeed, this work would be controversal, since these pure souls are composed of an idiot, a liar, a gambler, a thief, a clown, a whore, a false messiah, a cheat, an idler, a golem, a murderer, and a rebel. But wait, wait--they are here for a reason. Every one of them encounters the worst hatred and cruelty that human nature has to offer, but they respond with kindness and wisdom, improving the lives of everyone around them. Some of these characters meet more fortunate endings than others, and the endings are not predictable.
Of these twelve folkloric stories, my personal favorites are Alef the Idiot, Heyh the Clown, Tet the Idler, Yod the Inhuman, and Yod-Beit the Rebel. I'd be very interested in knowing which tales caught the fancy of others, too. They are all fascinating; as soon as I started one, I had to finish.
It was a most pleasant experience. Thank you:)
acinthedc's review against another edition
Interesting selection of fairy tales. Reading the foreword does help frame and give context to the stories. Quick and enjoyable read.
thequeenbeekeeper's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aartireadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
The Book of the Unknown reads very quickly and smoothly, though it is not light reading. Each story presented has a definite lesson- not in a quasi-Judaic morality tale way, but in a "You would enjoy your life more if you were more like this person" sort of way. I did not feel that the book was especially religious, so I hope its description of being based on Jewish folklore does not turn people away from it. I am neither Jewish nor religious, and I really enjoyed the book. My personal favorite story was about a golem who becomes a princess, and then watches as her husband loses interest and begins going after many other women in the palace. Instead of being vindictive or bitter, she spends her time doing other tasks that make her world better.
And maybe that's why I really enjoyed the book- all the stories were uplifting and happy, not the dire moralistic tales that you might expect. Many of them are more fairy tale-like than anything else. Publishers Weekly may say above that the stories "lack bite," but for a bedtime treat before allowing your dreams to take over, they are excellent. And surprisingly not as straight-forward as one might think- some of them, I was still mulling over the next morning.
The book begins with a preface from the "collector" of the stories and ends with a note from the editors that makes it clear that sequels could very much be in the picture (after all- we only heard tales from twelve of the thirty-six). I hope there is because the stories themselves are vastly entertaining, and the afterword makes me think that an over-arcing plot would be fascinating to read about as well.