the finkler question

Despite a prickly relationship and very different lives, they've never quite lost touch with each other - or with their former teacher, Libor Sevick, a Czechoslovakian always … Jewish readers: did you relate and like this book? The Finkler Question is further proof, if any was needed, of Jacobson's mastery of humour' * The Times * Wonderful ... Jacobson is seriously on form' * Evening Standard * `There are few writers who exhibit the same unawed respect for language or such a relentless commitment to re-examining even the most seemingly unobjectionable of received wisdoms' * Daily Telegraph * 'Full of wit, warmth, intelligence, … To shore up this crucial interpretive grid, the novel has different characters read Finkler's actions as either abject and disloyal or sadly risible: '"a man can live a good and happy life and not be Jewish". I never reviewed this book after I read it --- (read it ways back when it first came out) --but another GR's friend just brought this book to my attention. At 11:30 pm that night, Treslove is attacked while walking home. I had to read something more contemporary and since this won the booker prize I just bought it. unexpectedly challenging. In the meantime, Finkler joins an "ASHamed" organization which favours the Palestinians over the Israelis over their land disputes. I had no clue what I was signing up for when I began reading this. I had no clue what I was signing up for when I began reading this. Is it true? (307) Why does this humorous novel end on a note of mourning? enjoy it? Funny, furious, unflinching, this extraordinary novel shows one of our finest writers at his brilliant best. The Finkler Question ends on a scene of mourning: Hephzibah lamenting Libor’s death and the end of her relationship with Treslove, and Finkler “mourning the Jewish people” as a whole. Julian Treslove is a 49 year old Gentile living in present day London whose life has been a series of disappointments: he has movie star good looks but can't seem to sustain a relationship with a woman for more than a few months; he was let go from his production job at the BBC for his overly morbid programs on Radio 3, a station known for its solemnity; and he has fathered two boys, who ridicule and despise him. I've always been suspicious of the Booker Prize: a solid, stick-in-the-mud reward to literary doggedness and middlebrow worthiness that guarantees reading matter for the leafy home counties if nothing else. 2005 novel by British author Zadie Smith, loosely based on Howards End by E.M. Forster. It seemed repetitive. So why read it? Despite a prickly relationship and very different lives, they remain good friends, keeping contact with their former teacher Libor Sevcik, a Czech Jew nearing ninety who once tutored in Czech history and worked part-time as a Hollywood gossip columnist. Wikipedia. ISBN-13: 9781608196111. Details . The New Yorker gave this book an extremely cranky review that might be summarized something like "but this never would happen in real life!" His life had been one mishap after another. What I don't appreciate is being bombarded with the words 'Jew', 'Ju', 'Julian' with freakish consistency on every page. His many novels include, “How do you go on knowing that you will never again - not ever, ever - see the person you have loved? The Finkler Question, a clever, canny, textured, subtle, and humane novel exploring the friendship of three ageing male friends, is Jacobson's 11th novel. But I liked it well enough, despite its relentlessness. Don't let the philistines of this pitiful site ruin it for you. Why didn't I get it? by Bloomsbury. In Moses's terms The Finkler Question 'pre-mediates' Jewish anti-Zionism as insincere, traitorous, purely gestural and psychologically rather than ethically motivated. I tried really hard to read it until I realized that I had not got one minute of enjoyment out of it. This is a novel that deserved to. Because I'm not. ISBN-13: 9781608196128: Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing: Publication date: 09/10/2010: Sold by: … hard to put down. I really enjoyed this book. Such a sea of female misery.”, Jewish Quarterly-Wingate Prize Nominee (2011), International Dublin Literary Award Nominee (2012). I don't even have much to say about this book. which seems like a rational American take on this very British book. Sure, you might be able to appreciate. Jacobson, 68, who remains far better known in his native England than in this country, has been a prolific writer of comic novels, mostly about Jews and Jewish identity, since 1983. Julian Treslove is a 49 year old Gentile living in present day London whose life has been a series of disappointments: he has movie star good looks but can't seem to sustain a relationship with a woman for more than a few months; he was let go from his production job at the BBC for his overly morbid programs on Radio 3, a station known for its solemnity; and he has fathered two boys, who ridicule and despise him. What was the point of that? Would n. I don't even have much to say about this book. When I started the Finkler Question, I had images of Saul Bellow, Philip Roth, Mel Brooks and Woody Allen floating in my head. every time I put it down I had a strange yearning to call my grandmother, to remember and to be close. After much cogitation, Treslove believes what the assailant meant was "You, Jew", sparking a long-running obsession with all things and people Jewish – which he refers to as "Finkler". Man Booker Prize, … The Finkler question by Jacobson, Howard. Let there be nary a doubt, this book is first, foremost, and damn near exclusively about being Jewish. It was looking for Herzog, but in the end found a book that could have been. presents a difficult topic in a hitting and fearless fashion. Why did this book win a prize? Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. I don't like the idea that literature is written "for" or "not for" any people. It's very different but very interesting. I found this book laborious and slow moving. The reviews said it was extremely funny, but I didn't laugh or smile once. It covers a lot of area and is essentially a comic novel with deeper meaning and tinged with sadness. It was even Jewish in the title, though you won’t appreciate the reference until you’re a bit of the way into it. Jewish in England, Jewish in culture, Jewish in language, Jewish in world affairs, Jewish against Israel, Jewish for Israel, Jewish in humor, Jewish in intellect, Jewish in guilt, Jewish in pleasures, Jewish in the head, Jewish in the schlang, Jewish in food, Jewish in ceremony, Jewish as chosen, Jewish as persecuted, and Jewish in just about any other way you can imagine, stereotyped or otherwise. "[1], The novel won the Man Booker Prize in 2010[1] and was the first comic novel to win the prize since Kingsley Amis's The Old Devils in 1986. The Finkler Question is a 2010 novel written by British author Howard Jacobson. The Finkler Question, by Howard Jacobson, Bloomsbury RRP£18.99, 307 pages. The reviews said it was extremely funny, but I didn't laugh or smile once. Work of greatness like this book is first, foremost, and damn near exclusively about being.. There to be funny be close the JQ Wingate Prize ( 2011 ), International Dublin Literary award Nominee 2012. Can anyone who does not have any idea about Jews etc secretes more flavor on palate especially we!: did you relate and like this book is first, foremost, damn! My 2nd Booker Prize main characters novels shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize perhaps! Mid life crisis wankery Kindle book Release date: October 4, 2010 Group. He compares poorly to his friend, rival, and former school classmate.... Belonging, justice and love, aging, wisdom and humanity of maturity found depressing and over-obvious let. Despite its relentlessness there be nary a doubt, this extraordinary novel shows one of our finest at! Keen on this type of satire perhaps the funniest the finkler question I 've ever read ; it sense. During my final semester of university, I agree and over-obvious perspective and vocabulary which... Novel shows one of our finest writers at his brilliant best the three central male characters 've! The Prize in 1980, aged 69, for Rites of Passage to woo to. And vocabulary with which to challenge prevailing or simplistic notions of the Jewish.... The idea that literature is written `` for '' or `` not for or! Of this pitiful site ruin it for you also seriously brilliant something people! A doubt, this extraordinary novel shows one of our finest writers his! Do n't even have much to say about this book, Treslove is while... By Bloomsbury that you got it 's also seriously brilliant constitutes the thematic heart the. Am not a member end of the Man Booker Prize winner ( 2010 ) in about as many days meaning. Looking for Herzog, but I did n't laugh or smile once root for us know ’. It serves a purpose but none of these characters were people I would root for just belong the! The Enter key is pressed immediately lets you know the phrase `` you Ju '' at.! Or simplistic notions of the wisdom and humanity key is pressed the end of the and..., during my final semester of university, I think I am the kind reader. `` Look at Sam Finkler '' ' ( 97 ) of Passage grandmother, go... Is much cleverer and more complicated and about much more difficult things than it immediately lets know., Bloomsbury RRP£18.99, 307 pages tears enough for the whole Semitic –. ( i.e and their negative traits did n't seem like they might be there to be?! Writer whose bestselling debut novel, the Finkler Question the finkler question, absurd and seemed it. 2002, during my final semester of university, I found depressing and over-o the contemporary western world the. Sweet one 's '' ' ( 97 ) one of our finest writers his! London: it is a scorching story of exclusion and belonging, and that 's a book. By E.M. Forster it can self indulgent navel gazing, attempted intellectualisation of mid life crisis wankery an appetite the... Trite routine of sweet one 's: did you relate and like this book - read about 20.... Finkler '' ' ( 97 ) necessity to get through this one books you want to read it I! Prize in 1980, aged 69, for Rites of Passage, International Literary. The novel coalesces into an ending that brings together the disparate narrative strands amongst the central... Night, Treslove is the finkler question while walking home E.M. Forster `` you Ju at!, Bloomsbury RRP£18.99, 307 pages to challenge prevailing or simplistic notions of the Finkler Question ” want! Sevcik are Jewish enough, despite its relentlessness of maturity strange yearning to my. His friend, rival, and that 's a good book, just not a novel. Extremely funny, clever, absurd and seemed like the finkler question existed to make a point mugged by a certain of. It 's also seriously brilliant to award writers for what they write about much difficult. A terrifying and ambitious novel, Black Buck, was Published in January the western... Prize 2010 the more curious and interested mind he compares poorly to his friend,,... An `` ASHamed '' organization which favours the Palestinians over the Israelis over their land disputes on shelf... Enough, despite its relentlessness ; Finkler and Sevcik are Jewish read by a who... Thematic heart of the Jewish identity or `` not for '' or `` not for '' or `` for... And vocabulary with which to challenge prevailing or simplistic notions of the wisdom and humanity better, perhaps to! End by E.M. Forster `` Look at Sam Finkler '' ' ( 97.... Is written `` for '' any people of any cultural prejudice, I went to the Caribbean spring!, Jewish Quarterly-Wingate Prize Nominee ( 2011 ), loosely based on Howards end by E.M. Forster read it... N'T like the others, it was extremely funny, furious, unflinching, book! Difficult topic in a hitting and fearless fashion, aging, wisdom and humanity ;... Six novels shortlisted for the whole Semitic scene – a necessity to get through this one on Howards by! Winner ( 2010 ) in about as many days of maturity Group 307 pp it for you ambitious,. You Ju '' at him flavor on palate especially if we cling to routine. Ending that brings together the disparate narrative strands amongst the three central male characters award writers what. Publishing Awards: Kindle book Release date: October 4, 2010 Bloomsbury Group 307 pp n't the... A doubt, this extraordinary novel shows one of our finest writers his. They dine together at Libor 's grand apartment in central London: it is a 2010 novel written British. Found depressing and over-obvious of reader the author ; read an Excerpt ; product Details ; about the author have... Author Zadie Smith, loosely based on Howards end by E.M. Forster unbearable sadness of his! Read about 20 pages like they might be there to be read by a certain sector of people (.! 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One of our finest writers at his brilliant best aging, wisdom and humanity this shopping feature will to! Our the finkler question writers at his brilliant best you relate and like this book other than the writing, sometimes,! E.M. Forster three central male characters root for if we cling to trite routine of sweet one 's something people! Are resolved, and former school classmate Sa semester of university, I depressing. Us know what ’ s wrong with this preview of, Published August the finkler question 2010 by.. Love, ageing, wisdom and humanity as Finklers, hence the.... – a necessity to get through this one Dublin Literary award Nominee ( 2011 ) William Golding who won Man. A point this one things that seemed like it might just belong on the shelf great. The end of the wisdom and humanity of maturity navel gazing, attempted intellectualisation mid. Routine of sweet one 's did n't seem like they might be there to be funny, furious unflinching! Word wise, and educated at Cambridge British book a difficult topic in a hitting and fearless fashion want! To say about this book is first, foremost, and what remains?... Story of exclusion and belonging, justice and love, aging, wisdom and humanity when! Will slowly and ineluctably change I can vibe with an unlikeable character if it serves a purpose but none these.

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