A review by wyemu
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon

5.0

I found the premise for this novel fascinating, set in an alternative reality where the Jewish people were offered sanctuary, after the events of the Second World War and the collapse of Israel, in the wilds of Alaska. Throw in a murder, a broken detective with personal problems, a closed society who refuse to talk, orders from above to drop the case and you've got yourself a crime novel. Chabon has created a true noir thriller which fits perfectly into the genre and rivals Chandler for it's style. Some of the Jewish cultural and religious references lost me a little but this didn't impact of my enjoyment of this novel. I though that the unusual setting was beautifully set-up and created a unique situation that Chabon used to perfection. I can't wait to read more from this author and would love to see another novel with Detective Landsman, although perhaps the beauty lies in this being a one-off.