An alternative history novel with a dark setting, a language one could endlessly use for interpretation, to debate about, and a monument of not givingAn alternative history novel with a dark setting, a language one could endlessly use for interpretation, to debate about, and a monument of not giving up while protecting oneself with cynicism and Jewish humor at its best.
Unique style some may find too heavy and exhausting to read The language is amazing, I guess that there are huge differences between the English and German version and that it´s close to impossible for the poor translator to find the right equivalents, as the language is so loaded with hidden meanings that it might be close to impossible to lose nothing in translation, get something wrong, or destroy the required effect. Or, also very possible, that there is simply no equivalent in other languages, because the historical and cultural context is needed to get a deeper meaning out of it.
Maybe bring some interest in the topic, foreknowledge, or sheer nerdiness along for this read. I guess the more foreknowledge someone has in cases of books like this one, the more she/he can enjoy reading it, finding all those pearls, innuendos, and connotations, laughing more, and feeling prouder about each hidden treasure one has found as a manifestation of smartness. It feels to me as if books that use this technique always have something special, mysterious, and subtle, normal literature doesn´t make one feel like that while reading, that even if one doesn´t understand much of the deeper meaning, just like me, duh, one intuitively feels that there is so much more than just what the eye can see. And there is always the reread option.
Criticism on a very high, subtle level. I understand some of the more obvious criticism of US politics and religion, but one would have to know much about North American, European, and especially Jewish history, tradition, and culture to have the ultimate enjoyment. That´s probably the reason why many understandably can´t get comfortable with the work, as it´s no easy read and could have been much more successful by explaining more of the context, adding references, footnotes, an appendix, or trying to be both profound and understandable. I loved some passages, but got frustrated a few further pages, because I knew that there was something above my horizon, then again a great part, a true emotional roller coaster.
Entering or leaving… Should I read more of this author or not, it´s difficult as it isn´t the average comedy and satire writing, (except for his work https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... that seems to be outstanding regarding the great ratings) more something close to being a bit of a downer and exhausting to read too, but because of a lack of literature like that, I might possibly give it a try.
Mario the lone bookwolf
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chabon-michael
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