A review by jaclyncrupi
Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer

4.0

Foer has written a/the great Jewish American novel. This book is INTENSLY personal and ambitious. It explores the breakdown of a marriage and religious identity for Jewish Americans and Israelis. Where it truly succeeds/transcends is the marriage/relationship/family/kids/pets/parents stuff. It's very easy to feel you are reading an account of Foer and Krauss's marriage ending. But I dislike when critics/readers equate the author with the fiction. And yet... Where it gets a little heavy/self indulgent/overwritten is the religious identity stuff. Foer does some exciting stuff with form: video game text, TV bible, speeches which he mostly pulls off with his characteristic wit, humour and skill. There are some real laugh out loud moments in here and it's infinitely quotable.