Jan Notzon's Blog, page 14
August 23, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Svetlana Orlova- If The New Chapter could bottle the feeling of reading these first chapters, it would be the combination of curiosity, empathy, and anticipation.
Jan Notzon has a way of writing that feels almost cinematic you see the dust rising on the road, hear the creak of a chair at the funeral, feel the tension in Jacob’s chest when Grace falters.
Our club members have been texting each other between meetings just to share favorite lines or theories about what’s coming. This book isn’t just a read it’s an experience, and we’re all-in.
Jan Notzon has a way of writing that feels almost cinematic you see the dust rising on the road, hear the creak of a chair at the funeral, feel the tension in Jacob’s chest when Grace falters.
Our club members have been texting each other between meetings just to share favorite lines or theories about what’s coming. This book isn’t just a read it’s an experience, and we’re all-in.
August 22, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
William Harris- Chapter 3 is where Notzon’s storytelling truly shines for our club. The flashbacks to Jacob’s youth illuminate his motivations and the unspoken burdens he carries. Each member connected differently some with Jacob’s sense of responsibility, others with the tenderness he shows toward Grace.
The desert setting comes alive in this chapter: the dust, heat, and silence reflect the emotional landscape perfectly. We laughed, we sighed, and we argued a little over what these memories mean for Jacob’s future choices. These five chapters already provide so much richness that every meeting leaves us wanting more.
The desert setting comes alive in this chapter: the dust, heat, and silence reflect the emotional landscape perfectly. We laughed, we sighed, and we argued a little over what these memories mean for Jacob’s future choices. These five chapters already provide so much richness that every meeting leaves us wanting more.
August 21, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Hannah Mitchell- The way these opening chapters are structured is brilliant, and The New Chapter noticed it right away. We start with humor and wry observation, then slowly descend into deeper emotional territory without ever losing the reader’s trust.
Our discussion of Chapter 3’s character moments was one of the liveliest we’ve had all year. We debated whether Jacob is motivated by love, guilt, or both and the fact that we can’t answer definitively yet is a sign of great writing. Grace’s portrayal is equally nuanced; she is vulnerable, but never reduced to a caricature.
This book has already sparked emotional responses in our members, from quiet tears to knowing laughter. We can’t remember the last time a book club pick drew us in so quickly.
Our discussion of Chapter 3’s character moments was one of the liveliest we’ve had all year. We debated whether Jacob is motivated by love, guilt, or both and the fact that we can’t answer definitively yet is a sign of great writing. Grace’s portrayal is equally nuanced; she is vulnerable, but never reduced to a caricature.
This book has already sparked emotional responses in our members, from quiet tears to knowing laughter. We can’t remember the last time a book club pick drew us in so quickly.
August 20, 2025
And Ye Shall Be As Gods
Ethan Fisher- Reading Chapters 1–5 felt to The New Chapter like being drawn into a photograph that slowly comes to life. Every scene felt tangible the way the air shifts at a funeral, the silence in a hospital room, the unspoken words between family members.
Jan Notzon’s skill lies in capturing these quiet truths and making them resonate. As a group, we were struck by how deeply we already care for Jacob and Grace. There’s a tenderness in their relationship, even when unspoken, that makes the stakes feel incredibly high. We’ve read plenty of books where it took half the story to get invested; here, it took five chapters. This is exactly the kind of read we crave one that makes us impatient to keep going.
Jan Notzon’s skill lies in capturing these quiet truths and making them resonate. As a group, we were struck by how deeply we already care for Jacob and Grace. There’s a tenderness in their relationship, even when unspoken, that makes the stakes feel incredibly high. We’ve read plenty of books where it took half the story to get invested; here, it took five chapters. This is exactly the kind of read we crave one that makes us impatient to keep going.
August 18, 2025
And Ye Shall Be As Gods
And Ye Shall Be as Gods by Jan Notzon presents a compelling blend of narrative, philosophical exploration, and elements of mystery. The story centers around Jacob Kazmareck, who embarks on a multifaceted journey of self-discovery, healing his adoptive sister, and grappling with his relationship with God. Throughout the novel, readers are introduced to significant philosophical questions. Notzon addresses these questions in a personal and comprehensible manner, offering their own interpretations while leaving room for reader engagement.
The novel delves into the theme of anti-Semitism, making it particularly pertinent in today's context. It encourages readers to reflect on profound human questions, similar to those that Jacob confronts: the essence of humanity, our inclination towards accepting hatred as a norm, and the nature of good and evil. Jacob's intricate thought processes and his philosophical quest for truth are portrayed, culminating in the revelation that the pursuit of certainty is, ironically, one of the greatest evils. This theme resonates with the book's title, which alludes to Satan's promise to Adam and Eve, suggesting a parallel between humans and deities in their capacity for pettiness and hate.
The novel delves into the theme of anti-Semitism, making it particularly pertinent in today's context. It encourages readers to reflect on profound human questions, similar to those that Jacob confronts: the essence of humanity, our inclination towards accepting hatred as a norm, and the nature of good and evil. Jacob's intricate thought processes and his philosophical quest for truth are portrayed, culminating in the revelation that the pursuit of certainty is, ironically, one of the greatest evils. This theme resonates with the book's title, which alludes to Satan's promise to Adam and Eve, suggesting a parallel between humans and deities in their capacity for pettiness and hate.
August 16, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Lily Scott- These first chapters took The New Chapter on a journey that felt both intimate and universal. Jacob is such a well drawn character his mix of sarcasm, tenderness, and restraint makes him feel like someone we might know in real life. Grace, too, is already so vividly present that we care deeply about her well-being.
The detail with which Jan Notzon paints their world the dusty roads, the quiet pauses in conversation, the weight of family history gave us so much to talk about.
One of our favorite discussion moments came from Chapter 4, when Jacob’s reflections hinted at deeper emotional scars. It made us wonder just how much of the story is about healing versus simply enduring. We couldn’t help but recommend this to other clubs in our network.
The detail with which Jan Notzon paints their world the dusty roads, the quiet pauses in conversation, the weight of family history gave us so much to talk about.
One of our favorite discussion moments came from Chapter 4, when Jacob’s reflections hinted at deeper emotional scars. It made us wonder just how much of the story is about healing versus simply enduring. We couldn’t help but recommend this to other clubs in our network.
August 15, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Charlotte Evans- Our group at The New Chapter has read many family dramas, but And Ye Shall Be as Gods is shaping up to be one of the most honest portrayals we’ve seen in a while.
By the time we reached Chapter 5, we had already argued (in the best way!) about Jacob’s choices, Grace’s dependence, and whether his sense of duty is selfless or quietly self-destructive.
The writing is gorgeous clean yet lyrical, with moments that make you stop and re-read just to appreciate the craft. The funeral scene in Chapter 2 was a standout, stirring up memories for many of us and sparking a heartfelt conversation about how people process loss differently.
We left our last meeting buzzing with theories about where the story might go. One member summed it up perfectly: “It’s like Notzon is peeling back layers of the human heart, one chapter at a time.” We’re hooked.
By the time we reached Chapter 5, we had already argued (in the best way!) about Jacob’s choices, Grace’s dependence, and whether his sense of duty is selfless or quietly self-destructive.
The writing is gorgeous clean yet lyrical, with moments that make you stop and re-read just to appreciate the craft. The funeral scene in Chapter 2 was a standout, stirring up memories for many of us and sparking a heartfelt conversation about how people process loss differently.
We left our last meeting buzzing with theories about where the story might go. One member summed it up perfectly: “It’s like Notzon is peeling back layers of the human heart, one chapter at a time.” We’re hooked.
August 14, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Jack Morgan -
From the moment we opened And Ye Shall Be as Gods, The New Chapter book club was captivated. The first five chapters gave us so much to discuss that we could have filled an entire evening without even moving further.
The opening scene set the tone beautifully Jacob’s dry humor, his careful observations, and that subtle current of sadness pulled us right in. By Chapter 2, the funeral scene hit like a wave; we were struck by how Jan Notzon balanced the grief of loss with moments of grace and even humor.
Grace’s vulnerability is already so deeply felt, and the quiet love Jacob shows her is nothing short of moving. We all agreed this is the kind of story that will stay with us, and several members have already told friends to get a copy so they can join our discussions. If this is just the start, we can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
From the moment we opened And Ye Shall Be as Gods, The New Chapter book club was captivated. The first five chapters gave us so much to discuss that we could have filled an entire evening without even moving further.
The opening scene set the tone beautifully Jacob’s dry humor, his careful observations, and that subtle current of sadness pulled us right in. By Chapter 2, the funeral scene hit like a wave; we were struck by how Jan Notzon balanced the grief of loss with moments of grace and even humor.
Grace’s vulnerability is already so deeply felt, and the quiet love Jacob shows her is nothing short of moving. We all agreed this is the kind of story that will stay with us, and several members have already told friends to get a copy so they can join our discussions. If this is just the start, we can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
August 13, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Amelia Grant- What The New Chapter loved most about the first five chapters was how much emotional weight Jan Notzon managed to pack into them without ever feeling heavy-handed. The flashbacks to Jacob’s youth, the subtle details of his family’s history, and the glimpses into Grace’s fragile state all combined into something profoundly human.
We found ourselves relating to the tensions between siblings, the way old wounds can resurface in moments of crisis, and the challenge of balancing personal grief with the needs of others.
Notzon’s descriptions of the desert were another highlight it’s not just a backdrop, but a living, breathing presence in the story. Several members said they could feel the sun on their skin and taste the dry air while reading. We’re only on Chapter 5, but we’re already emotionally invested. If you love fiction that makes you feel, think, and reflect, this is one to pick up.
We found ourselves relating to the tensions between siblings, the way old wounds can resurface in moments of crisis, and the challenge of balancing personal grief with the needs of others.
Notzon’s descriptions of the desert were another highlight it’s not just a backdrop, but a living, breathing presence in the story. Several members said they could feel the sun on their skin and taste the dry air while reading. We’re only on Chapter 5, but we’re already emotionally invested. If you love fiction that makes you feel, think, and reflect, this is one to pick up.
August 12, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Ethan Fisher- Reading Chapters 1–5 felt to The New Chapter like being drawn into a photograph that slowly comes to life. Every scene felt tangible the way the air shifts at a funeral, the silence in a hospital room, the unspoken words between family members.
Jan Notzon’s skill lies in capturing these quiet truths and making them resonate. As a group, we were struck by how deeply we already care for Jacob and Grace. There’s a tenderness in their relationship, even when unspoken, that makes the stakes feel incredibly high.
We’ve read plenty of books where it took half the story to get invested; here, it took five chapters. This is exactly the kind of read we crave one that makes us impatient to keep going.
Jan Notzon’s skill lies in capturing these quiet truths and making them resonate. As a group, we were struck by how deeply we already care for Jacob and Grace. There’s a tenderness in their relationship, even when unspoken, that makes the stakes feel incredibly high.
We’ve read plenty of books where it took half the story to get invested; here, it took five chapters. This is exactly the kind of read we crave one that makes us impatient to keep going.
