A review by hannah_greendale
Jacob's Folly by Rebecca Miller

dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

3.0

If this had strictly followed Jacob as a fly, it might have been a favorite book of the year.🪰

This book features in my Spring TBR video on BookTube.🌷

Jacob's Folly concerns a Jewish man living in 18th century Paris who dies and reincarnates as a fly in 21st century America. The few chapters told from Jacob's perspective as a fly are an absolute riot and represent my favorite parts of the book. He's the first character to even come close to sounding like ST from Hollow Kingdom, and I'd have loved to read an entire novel from his perspective.

The story alternates between the past and the present, charting Jacob the fly's perverted musings and manipulative machinations as well as the events in the past that lead up to his death. Through its many characters, Jacob's Folly offers a thorough introduction to Jewish culture and how its traditions shape their daily lives.

I listened to the audiobook and greatly enjoyed it, especially the fly chapters, which had me laughing and giggling, but I admit that I struggled to follow the long list of characters. Perhaps if I had read a physical copy, I'd have found the branching list of characters easier to follow. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book and was delighted by how Miller chose to end the book, bringing everything to a smashing conclusion. Definitely recommend!