Jan Notzon's Blog, page 8
September 3, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
James Huber
5.0 out of 5 stars wow !
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2025
Our book club recently read this novel, and it quickly became one of the most powerful discussions we’ve ever had. What struck me personally was how the author captured the weight of Jake’s journey—the despair of his sister, the loss of his love, and the haunting connection between past and present.
The writing is raw, emotional, and deeply human. I loved how every chapter carried both suspense and meaning, making it impossible to put down. It’s the kind of book that not only tells a story but opens doors for reflection, which is exactly why our club embraced it so strongly.
5.0 out of 5 stars wow !
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2025
Our book club recently read this novel, and it quickly became one of the most powerful discussions we’ve ever had. What struck me personally was how the author captured the weight of Jake’s journey—the despair of his sister, the loss of his love, and the haunting connection between past and present.
The writing is raw, emotional, and deeply human. I loved how every chapter carried both suspense and meaning, making it impossible to put down. It’s the kind of book that not only tells a story but opens doors for reflection, which is exactly why our club embraced it so strongly.
August 30, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Charlotte Evans- Chapter 1 introduced us to Jacob’s wit and resilience, but it’s in Chapters 2 and 3 that Notzon begins to show the layers beneath his humor.
The funeral scene, combined with flashbacks to his upbringing, created lively discussion among our members: How much do past regrets shape present actions?
Grace’s quiet demeanor and subtle courage inspired conversation about how trauma manifests in everyday life. By Chapter 5, we were emotionally invested, already speculating on the decisions that will define the rest of the story.
The funeral scene, combined with flashbacks to his upbringing, created lively discussion among our members: How much do past regrets shape present actions?
Grace’s quiet demeanor and subtle courage inspired conversation about how trauma manifests in everyday life. By Chapter 5, we were emotionally invested, already speculating on the decisions that will define the rest of the story.
August 29, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
James Anderson- Chapter 5 is a masterclass in tension and subtle emotional revelation. Grace’s hesitations, Jacob’s observations, and the unspoken bond between them left our club members leaning forward in our chairs, feeling as though we were intruding on something sacred.
We talked at length about how Notzon creates suspense without conventional drama through silence, small gestures, and fleeting thoughts. Even in these opening chapters, the stakes are clear, and the writing leaves us eager to witness what happens next.
We talked at length about how Notzon creates suspense without conventional drama through silence, small gestures, and fleeting thoughts. Even in these opening chapters, the stakes are clear, and the writing leaves us eager to witness what happens next.
August 28, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Henry Carter- What struck The New Chapter most about Chapters 1–5 was how real the characters feel. In Chapter 1, Jacob’s dry humor immediately sets him apart, but it’s in Chapter 3 that we see the depth behind his demeanor his reflections on past mistakes, the subtle regrets, and the responsibility he bears.
Grace’s fragility paired with her quiet strength made us argue over who’s actually more resilient. Notzon’s prose allows the desert, the setting, and the small details of family life to become characters themselves, adding another layer to the reading experience.
Grace’s fragility paired with her quiet strength made us argue over who’s actually more resilient. Notzon’s prose allows the desert, the setting, and the small details of family life to become characters themselves, adding another layer to the reading experience.
August 26, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Lina Bergström- Our first impression at The New Chapter is unanimous: Jan Notzon has written something special. In five chapters, he has given us a cast of characters we believe in, a setting that feels alive, and themes that matter love, loss, family, resilience.
The pacing is perfect; it allows for reflection without dragging. We’ve already placed bets on which chapter will break us emotionally (Chapter 7 is looking suspiciously dangerous).
For now, we’re savoring every page and encouraging every reader we know to pick up a copy so they can join the conversation.
The pacing is perfect; it allows for reflection without dragging. We’ve already placed bets on which chapter will break us emotionally (Chapter 7 is looking suspiciously dangerous).
For now, we’re savoring every page and encouraging every reader we know to pick up a copy so they can join the conversation.
August 24, 2025
And Ye Shall Be as Gods
Emily Parker- Our meeting at The New Chapter this week lasted an extra 45 minutes because we couldn’t stop dissecting the layers in Chapters 1–5.
We talked about the nature of caregiving, the weight of family expectation, and how personal histories can either bind us together or hold us back.
Notzon’s writing gave us the perfect platform for these conversations. The balance between humor and sadness, light and shadow, is masterful. Every club that values deep, meaningful discussion should have this on their list.
We talked about the nature of caregiving, the weight of family expectation, and how personal histories can either bind us together or hold us back.
Notzon’s writing gave us the perfect platform for these conversations. The balance between humor and sadness, light and shadow, is masterful. Every club that values deep, meaningful discussion should have this on their list.
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.
