A review by nothingforpomegranted
A Horse Walks into a Bar by David Grossman

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This phenomenal book, best read in one sitting, is inspiring me to read through the Man Booker International Prize winners and the rest of David Grossman's backlist. Set at a two-hour stand-up comedy show in a dive bar in Netanya, Israel, this book reminded me how much I love literary fiction. Splicing between time periods--one, the present; the other, the comedian's childhood--this explores the relationship between Dovaleh and Avishai, hitting on themes of grief, loneliness, friendship, abandonment, humor, and fear. 


Avishai received a phone call from Dov, requesting that he come see him. After needing a few prompts to understand who precisely was calling him, Avishai, a retired and disgraced Supreme Court justice, agreed to come to the show and share with Dov what he saw. As the novel progresses, as the show progresses, we discover the history and connection between these two protagonists, an adolescent friendship culminating in a distinct personal trauma. 

I cannot wait to purchase my own copy of this beautiful book and come back to it several years from now with a new perspective.