Yiddish Policeman's Union

[tylenol4000]

Anyone read this novel? I'v had it for awhile, but have been skeptical of reading it. The main reason is because of review's I'v read, where it's often said that Michael Chabon is one of those writers that writes really long, detailed descriptions. That type of thing often turns me off. I'm not normally a big fan of writers who focus too much on stylish prose. But perhaps Chabon's not that way? Tell me if I'm wrong.

And The Yiddish Policeman's Unions isn't really science-fiction, right? it's Alt-History, speculative fiction I believe. It won the Hugo, but recently I'v learned that people don't put as much stock in the Hugo's as, say, the Nebula's, because it's a popularity contest. Well, that would explain a lot of nominations/winners that surprised me.

I loved The Man In The High Castle, that's the only Alt-History I'v ever read. I'm sure this one's a lot different. I'd like to get some reactions to Yiddish Policeman's Union. Just no spoilers please

 

[gully_foyle]

I loved this book. Gritty jewish detective noir set against a wholly feasible yet still surreal backdrop. The plot gets a bit messy in parts, but I'm a fan of Chabon's so I'm forgiving. Give it a try.

 

[Randy M.]

Anyone read this novel? I'v had it for awhile, but have been skeptical of reading it. The main reason is because of review's I'v read, where it's often said that Michael Chabon is one of those writers that writes really long, detailed descriptions. That type of thing often turns me off. I'm not normally a big fan of writers who focus too much on stylish prose. But perhaps Chabon's not that way? Tell me if I'm wrong.

And The Yiddish Policeman's Unions isn't really science-fiction, right? it's Alt-History, speculative fiction I believe. It won the Hugo, but recently I'v learned that people don't put as much stock in the Hugo's as, say, the Nebula's, because it's a popularity contest. Well, that would explain a lot of nominations/winners that surprised me.

I loved The Man In The High Castle, that's the only Alt-History I'v ever read. I'm sure this one's a lot different. I'd like to get some reactions to Yiddish Policeman's Union. Just no spoilers please

I can't speak to that novel -- still in the TBR mountain -- but his Sherlock Holmes pastiche, The Final Solution, is excellent; I didn't find long passages of description in it. Maybe it depends on what he's writing as to how descriptive he gets. (Or maybe one reader's lengthy description is another reader's pleasant scene setting?)

I also found his collection of essays on literature, Maps and Legends, personable, enthusiastic and fun. I can't recall whether it was in that or elsewhere that he acknowledged Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and Gray Mouser stories as part of the inspiration for one of his novels, Gentlemen of the Road, so he is aware of genre literature and not dismissive of it.


Randy M.