Scan barcode
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.
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.
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Antisemitism, and Alcohol
meshuganush's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I struggled to get into this book in the beginning. Connecting with Meyer Landsman was not the easiest, he's an alcoholic detective who "knows" he's a better detective than all other detectives. But eventually the mystery, the story and the growth of character pulled me in.
I ended up really enjoying this book and appreciating the relationship between the characters, especially Meyer and his ex-wife, Bina. I thought what the author did with them was really good.
Was also impressed with the cleverness of swapping out words for imagined Yiddish slang for example a cell phone becomes a shofar. Once I caught onto it, very fun. However, also part of why I struggled to get into the story in the beginning. Even if you have some knowledge of Yiddish and Hebrew the glossary at the back of the book is absolutely necessary.
I ended up really enjoying this book and appreciating the relationship between the characters, especially Meyer and his ex-wife, Bina. I thought what the author did with them was really good.
Was also impressed with the cleverness of swapping out words for imagined Yiddish slang for example a cell phone becomes a shofar. Once I caught onto it, very fun. However, also part of why I struggled to get into the story in the beginning. Even if you have some knowledge of Yiddish and Hebrew the glossary at the back of the book is absolutely necessary.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Antisemitism
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.
Great humour, engaging writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Colonisation
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Abortion
Minor: War
alex_wordweaver's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I thought I'd like it more than I did. I went in for the world building and mystery and...I dunno. It just sort of crawled along in the middle too much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Genocide and 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
I sometimes had trouble following the plot but the worldbuilding was fantastic, the prose was delightful, and the characters had my whole heart
my one complaint - not a spoiler just kind of gross:
my one complaint - not a spoiler just kind of gross:
Spoiler
why was there so much discussion of what vaginas smell like
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Abortion
toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Technically this bookhad a lot of interesting and well done things, I found the use of present vs past tense interesting and there were a lot of descriptions and turns of phrase that were very unique and interesting. Overall I don't think the story was that compelling, though the worldbuilding had potential, and I found the ending disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Antisemitism