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_kayleighcarlin_'s review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
aliena_jackson's review
3.0
When I look back on this book and try to gage my emotions, all I feel is confusion and sadness.
spikeanderson1's review
5.0
She is one of my top 3 living authors. Truly brilliant, and her ability to weave and layer with intense substance sweetened by narrative is thrilling. Bravo D Horn
cmclarabee's review
medium-paced
4.75
I struggled a bit with going back and forth between different times and settings, real historical people and events versus contemporary imagined ones, but it was worth it. I learned a lot with some side research, and was intrigued by Horn’s meditations on time and memory. Good read!
chloeb35's review
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
lriopel's review
4.0
Interesting interweaving of multiple stories, made me very uncomfortable at times, some not-so-subtle biblical story retellings, definitely made me think about a well-known story in a new way, as well as the nature of jealousy and the value of intellect. Not sure if I really liked it, or if it is just making me think after I am finished, but all in all, a worthwhile read.
shesagift's review
3.0
First and foremost, I loved the themes and connections in this book. The themes of memory and knowledge, and connections between characters across time & space using asthma, sibling rivalry and Jewish heritage as powerful links between characters who are living a hundred to a thousand years apart. It was interesting to see how Horn tied everything together through these links and the dual themes which discuss memory and knowledge.
I was, however, a little disappointed with the tying-together. There were great parallel story lines, but nothing really came together for me, except Josie and Judith's story (which makes sense, as their stories take place in the same time period). I felt that Solomon's story and the one chapter about Maimonides himself didn't really have any impact on Josie's story, and her story was the only one with any action or plot. I enjoyed reading about the historical figures of Solomon Schechter and Maimonides, but I felt that their stories didn't propel the plot forward. Their stories just made for a "Oh that's neat" wrap-up at the end.
I loved the weaving of Jewish philosophy throughout the novel, but I wasn't impressed by how tightly the novel as a whole was woven. Had I felt more satisfied by the conclusion of the novel, this would be a four or four-and-a-half star book, but because there was so little umph to it, I'm only giving it three stars.
I was, however, a little disappointed with the tying-together. There were great parallel story lines, but nothing really came together for me, except Josie and Judith's story (which makes sense, as their stories take place in the same time period). I felt that Solomon's story and the one chapter about Maimonides himself didn't really have any impact on Josie's story, and her story was the only one with any action or plot. I enjoyed reading about the historical figures of Solomon Schechter and Maimonides, but I felt that their stories didn't propel the plot forward. Their stories just made for a "Oh that's neat" wrap-up at the end.
I loved the weaving of Jewish philosophy throughout the novel, but I wasn't impressed by how tightly the novel as a whole was woven. Had I felt more satisfied by the conclusion of the novel, this would be a four or four-and-a-half star book, but because there was so little umph to it, I'm only giving it three stars.
segallf's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rabbaaliza's review
3.0
I was really liking a lot of this book, except for Josie blaming Judith for sending her to Egypt. I know the author was going for "Joseph and brothers" but this part struck me as more "Jacob and Esau", esp. with Esau being falsely accused. The main literary crime is focusing on this (why isn't Josie to blame for getting into the car? Although this is alluded to...) Why isn't Itamar to blame because of not letting her buy ransom insurance? The most grievous part of this is Judith needing to die for her sins. (To complete the parallel, they should all have been saved.) What makes it so sad is Tali's dejection at the end - Judith was the only one who got her and Josie is just going to repeat the errors of the past.
Otherwise, good book.
Otherwise, good book.