Tuesday, 12 November 2019

October review of Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer



From a list provided by Jeanette of titles she had chosen for their “cult status”.

Image result for Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer.


Well, as far as most book group members were concerned everything was far from illuminated most of our avid readers unable to complete the book.  Linda only managed two pages and admitted defeat.  Some like Joanne only read a couple of chapters before giving up.  Sue was still reading it on the night of the meeting and with the determination of a climber scaling Everest she was not going to give up.  I and Pauline had indeed finished the book, but were still bewildered by the whole experience.  There were so many questions but with Sue still immersed in the story we did not want to say too much.
The story is about an American Jewish young man trying to locate the person who allegedly saved his grandfather’s life from the Nazi’s. With only a tattered photograph and the most improbable group of guides/translators he sets off on a journey into the inner depths of the Ukraine. Initially we are bombarded by the most hilarious and  twisted use of the English language as Alex tries to converse with “The Hero “ and convince him of his family’s worth as a guide. However the story becomes increasingly dark and complex as the odd group including an oversexed dog delve deeper into the past.
The initial story is told alongside an historical account of a typical Jewish village or shetel, its odd inhabitants, bizarre Jewish customs and a mythological tale about how a beautiful child survives a near drowning and is brought up in this traditional yet weird village. The narrative swaps between both stories but also includes some very strange Jewish customs and language, which Sue really found fascinating. I and Pauline are holding out hope that Sue can illuminate us about everything once she reaches the very heart wrenching conclusion.
I found the book difficult and bewildering, but when I started discussing it with Pauline who had made it to the end, it threw up some interesting questions and seemed to make more sense when discussing it in the group. On the heels of reading our previous book Milkman, which also played around with language and style, perhaps we had been over exposed to complex styles. Pauline summed it up by saying   “I was desperate to read a chick lit “
In conclusion I think this novel is one I will put on my READ AGAIN pile but I am not sure when that might happen. I have seldom read anything so funny yet terribly tragic, so that alone must be testament to the writer’s skill. There was perhaps too much going on but that is its unique value. It’s a difficult and frustrating read but strangely now it’s over I would recommend it to others, which while reading it was a definite no!  I also read somewhere that it has been made into a film, HOW was my reaction to that information.
I think it’s best not to attempt a score for this one as only a few of us read it fully.

November’s book is The Confession by Jessie Burton.

Our next meeting will be December 5th for our Christmas Book swap, so no list for that meeting. It’s our intention to try and Book the New Mexican Restaurant, so please let us know if you will definitely be coming along. Places get booked up quickly this time of year. If you are coming please remember to bring along your wrapped book.
We will decide at that meeting who will do this list for January as we all will have different books to read for December. Can I make a suggestion that the person who compiles the monthly list also does the blog/review?

Review written by Anne Marie.

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