The Finkler Question by Howard JacobsonMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Think of Jacobson as a cross between Woody Allen & Jonathon Franzen. Dry & Satirical. I had heard so much about this book, I ignored my usual reservations at reading Man Booker Prize Winners and bought a copy.
Julian Treslove is a former BBC producer turned celebrity look-alike. A fool-hearthy romantic, Julian spends large proportion of his day fantasising of having an ophelian lover who will die tragically in his arms. A strange and morbid thought considering Treslove has never married, despite string of affairs.
Sam Finkler is successful Jewish Philosopher, personality and television presenter. He and Treslove are childhood friends and keep in regular contact along with their teacher Libor Sevcik. Since Finkler is Treslove's first Jewish contact, Treslove privately refers to all Jews as Finklers.
The Finkler Question is a story of friendship and loss, exclusion and belonging, and what it means to be Jewish. It is not always an easy book to sink into. Just like Franzen (and Woody Allen), there's a lot of waffling and meandering narrative. But for the patient and resilient reader, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The character despite their hapless and neuratic nuances, possess an appealing charm. It is also refreshing to read a Jewish point of view which is not pro-Israel.
Although a worthy book, The Finkler Question is not for everyone. Approach with caution.
View all my reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment