Reviews

In the Image by Dara Horn

juliahascats's review against another edition

3.0

Eh...was hoping it would be as good as TWTC so was disappointed. Still glad that I read it, but some parts really dragged.

I think I liked the concept more than the actual book. And I wish that the underwater world was introduced earlier...though it was a simulate device as in TWTC it felt much more forced in this book.

suspendedinair's review against another edition

4.0

tangling history and modernity with questions of fate and free-will, this book occupied my complete attention, and now all i want to do is take dara horn for tea. my treat! i think what's invaluable about in the image is how accessible and relevant it makes hebrew legend, and jewish history & scholarship to ignorant but interested people, like myself. (confession: i'm a little in love with leora.) i also think people who are feeling trapped may benefit from reading horn's work, because, in a way less cheesy than my description thereof, this really is a story about infinities and holding yourself accountable. also, writing book reviews reminds me how little i know, but i bet if you read this on the right day you'll enjoy it, even if it doesn't change your damn life.

alak's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

cheryl1213's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jess_segraves's review against another edition

4.0

I read this for a class (History of Judaism) but found myself drawn into Leora and Wilheim/Bill's worlds, their family histories, and their experiences. The characters in the novel simultaneously illuminated and defied Jewish stereotypes, revealing more broad-based themes about good and evil as well as love and hate. I'm extremely interested to read more by Horn now.

hplatter's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

martha_w's review against another edition

4.0

Not quite as good as other books of hers, but still an interesting story with great historical detail.

micaelabrody's review

5.0

This book reminded me much more of The World To Come than the other two Dara Horn novels I've read, which is a great compliment. I loved every word of this, down to the family tree in the back. I don't know the Book of Job as well as many people and I still enjoyed this thoroughly; its high and low points are well earned, its characters are believable, mostly likeable, and sympathetic, and its descriptions of Costco are really, really relatable.

gglazer's review

4.0

I read this in about a day, on the plane to and from Chicago. It's perfect travel reading, because it's totally absorbing. I actually loved the interesting tricks Dara Horn plays with the form at the end, writing the end of a novel that's been running parallel to the Book of Job exactly the same way as the Book of Job itself is written. And I love the way the strands of the plot come together unexpectedly, and that the main character turns out not to be exactly who you thought it was. Really lovely.

hsutherland2's review

3.0

I love Dara Horn, and I'll continue to read her books eagerly, but this book felt too much like it was the ideas, plot, and themes that would grow into The World To Come, my favorite of her stories.