The Yiddish Policemen's Union
2 journalers for this copy...
Given to me as a birthday gift from my partner.
From amazon.co.uk:
The brilliantly original new novel from Michael Chabon, author of 'The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay' and 'The Final Solution'. What if, as Franklin Roosevelt once proposed, Alaska -- and not Israel -- had become the homeland for the Jews after World War II? In Michael Chabon's Yiddish-speaking 'Alyeska', Orthodox gangs in side-curls and knee breeches roam the streets of Sitka, where Detective Meyer Landsman discovers the corpse of a heroin-addled chess prodigy in the flophouse Meyer calls home. Marionette strings stretch back to the hands of charismatic Rebbe Gold, leader of a sect that seems to have drawn its mission statement from the Cosa Nostra -- but behind Rebbe looms an even larger shadow. Despite sensible protests from Berko, his half-Tlingit, half-Jewish partner, Meyer is determined to unsnarl the meaning behind the murder. Even if that means surrendering his badge and his dignity to the chief of Sitka's homicide unit -- also known as his fearsome ex-wife, Bina. 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union' interweaves a homage to the stylish menace of 1940s film noir with a bittersweet fable of identity, home and faith.It is a novel of colossal ambition and heart from one of the most important and beloved writers working today.
From amazon.co.uk:
The brilliantly original new novel from Michael Chabon, author of 'The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay' and 'The Final Solution'. What if, as Franklin Roosevelt once proposed, Alaska -- and not Israel -- had become the homeland for the Jews after World War II? In Michael Chabon's Yiddish-speaking 'Alyeska', Orthodox gangs in side-curls and knee breeches roam the streets of Sitka, where Detective Meyer Landsman discovers the corpse of a heroin-addled chess prodigy in the flophouse Meyer calls home. Marionette strings stretch back to the hands of charismatic Rebbe Gold, leader of a sect that seems to have drawn its mission statement from the Cosa Nostra -- but behind Rebbe looms an even larger shadow. Despite sensible protests from Berko, his half-Tlingit, half-Jewish partner, Meyer is determined to unsnarl the meaning behind the murder. Even if that means surrendering his badge and his dignity to the chief of Sitka's homicide unit -- also known as his fearsome ex-wife, Bina. 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union' interweaves a homage to the stylish menace of 1940s film noir with a bittersweet fable of identity, home and faith.It is a novel of colossal ambition and heart from one of the most important and beloved writers working today.
I liked the concept of this a lot. It was really imaginative and interesting. I love books which use 'what if?' historical scenarios. The Sitka story made for a very good setting and background.
Unfortunately Chabon's writing style got on my nerves. It was a bit 'too cool for school', with loads of swearing and wisecracking to make the characters look tough... but I thought they sounded a bit naff! He also makes heavy use of one of my most hated modern literary cliches. That is, the genius-but-fatally-flawed-alcoholic-disillusioned-deterctive. Being the daughter of an alcoholic, I don't find it glamorous, and I don't find the protrayals realistic. The Yiddish Policemen's Union was no exception. Why did Chabon have to waste so much of a good story on such an irritating subplot?
Unfortunately Chabon's writing style got on my nerves. It was a bit 'too cool for school', with loads of swearing and wisecracking to make the characters look tough... but I thought they sounded a bit naff! He also makes heavy use of one of my most hated modern literary cliches. That is, the genius-but-fatally-flawed-alcoholic-disillusioned-deterctive. Being the daughter of an alcoholic, I don't find it glamorous, and I don't find the protrayals realistic. The Yiddish Policemen's Union was no exception. Why did Chabon have to waste so much of a good story on such an irritating subplot?
Released 14 yrs ago (8/2/2009 UTC) at
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Sent on its way to Scotsbookie.
Sent on its way to Scotsbookie.
Thank you LittleSuz, it arrived safely this morning.
