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The Right Thing to Do at the Time
If Jane Austen and Sholem Aleichem (Fiddler on the Roof) schemed in an elevator, this just might be their pitch. Ari is Elizabeth and Itche is Jane--and this Jewish, queer, New York City retelling of Pride and Prejudice is for everyone.
Ari Wexler, a trans guy in his late 20s, is barely scraping by. His family life is a mess, he feels like a failure when it comes to love, and his job at a music library is on the rocks. His relationship with Itche Mattes, his doting best friend, helps him get through the days. Then a famous actress comes to town and sweeps Itche off his feet, leaving her dreadful sidekick to step on Ari's toes.
As Ari's despair grows, a fascinating music project falls into his lap, and he s faced with a choice: to remain within his comfort zone, however small and stifling, or to take a risk that could bring meaning and joy to his life.
A romantic comedy full of angsty wrestling matches between idealism and cynicism, work and art, and friendship and romance. It will keep you guessing until the very end.
Ari Wexler, a trans guy in his late 20s, is barely scraping by. His family life is a mess, he feels like a failure when it comes to love, and his job at a music library is on the rocks. His relationship with Itche Mattes, his doting best friend, helps him get through the days. Then a famous actress comes to town and sweeps Itche off his feet, leaving her dreadful sidekick to step on Ari's toes.
As Ari's despair grows, a fascinating music project falls into his lap, and he s faced with a choice: to remain within his comfort zone, however small and stifling, or to take a risk that could bring meaning and joy to his life.
A romantic comedy full of angsty wrestling matches between idealism and cynicism, work and art, and friendship and romance. It will keep you guessing until the very end.
347 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2016
11 people are currently reading
1483 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 10, 2018
Update: this book will be coming out in March... “A Queer Romantic Comedy”. The dialogue is witty- wise - funny- and enjoyable!!!! The leading man is a trans Jewish guy!
For all of those who read Netgalley books - this will be available to request on Netgalley soon.
OH MY GOD!!!
I’m so excited to see this book here!!!
It's sooooooo CHARMING & MOVING & WONDERFUL!!!!
I read this book last year. I'm friends with Dov.
Dov's talented - insightful- wise -bright as hell - and a born storyteller.
The characters are priceless --
Great dialogues--
Great writing throughout--
"I believe you spend your life in some kind of hiding place, and you think you're safe from danger and harm, and one of these days you'll wake up and realize that the thing you're keeping yourself from is fullness".
Ari and Itche are friends - both Jewish.
Ari is a transsexual
They both have memories from camp when they were younger...
Much going on... music themes - complicated families- friendships - a wonderful tribute to both the Jewish experience and trans folks.
It's bursting with vibrant characters.....
It's a soulful novel that will steal your heart....hilarious, tender, and deeply affecting.
For all of those who read Netgalley books - this will be available to request on Netgalley soon.
OH MY GOD!!!
I’m so excited to see this book here!!!
It's sooooooo CHARMING & MOVING & WONDERFUL!!!!
I read this book last year. I'm friends with Dov.
Dov's talented - insightful- wise -bright as hell - and a born storyteller.
The characters are priceless --
Great dialogues--
Great writing throughout--
"I believe you spend your life in some kind of hiding place, and you think you're safe from danger and harm, and one of these days you'll wake up and realize that the thing you're keeping yourself from is fullness".
Ari and Itche are friends - both Jewish.
Ari is a transsexual
They both have memories from camp when they were younger...
Much going on... music themes - complicated families- friendships - a wonderful tribute to both the Jewish experience and trans folks.
It's bursting with vibrant characters.....
It's a soulful novel that will steal your heart....hilarious, tender, and deeply affecting.
January 6, 2017
"Whatever love is, it's no joke. but then, why do I hear God laughing?"
Book Group Questions
What, if anything, distinguishes friendship and romantic love in this novel?
I am tempted to say “nothing important.” Itche and Ari are best friends, bff, and there is some suggestion from others they know that they may at some point be (physical) lovers. But they “cuddle,” which is more intimate in this book than intercourse for this novel. They sometimes sleep in each other’s arms in bed, they kiss. This is a bromance with real physical and psychic intimacy. They are with each other for life, one way or the other. I think the continuum of friendship to romance in this book raises important questions about the importance of sex and romantic commitment. Itche and Ari are lovers, however you want to talk about that.
Is love the most important thing in Itche & Ari? If so, what does that mean?
Yes, and it does not put a priority on romantic love. Family, friendship, all love and just as important.
Straight love, gay love, bi-love, trans love, bubbie love, it's all love.
Would you categorize this book as literary fiction, romance, queer fiction, Jewish fiction, some combination? Why?
Yes. All of the above, depending on what you are looking for. As Jewish fiction it has Roth’s Portnoy’s Complaint, it has Marx Bros, it has footnotes (presumably from the author and not the narrator?) helping you with Jewish/Hebrew/Yiddish discourse. I thought it was closer to sweet Isaac Bashevis Singer than the rougher-edged Roth, but funnier than Singer. It features Ari, a trans guy, so that is important. It’s a comedy, but very literary fiction in many ways. See below. As romance, its characters seem to be obsessed with partnering up, making sure people are not "alone," and not many of the romances work, except the love of Ari and Itche, maybe, but love and being in love is important here. It's romantic comedy, it's transbromantic comedy.
How did your knowledge and experience of Pride and Prejudice influence your reading of the book?
I wrote my MA thesis about Jane Austen, so I saw it as a trans/Jewish version of or homage to the funny and sweet and insightful P&P, and a good one. You do not have to have read that book to appreciate this one, but if you have read it, it enriches the reading of it.
The author is a person I have gotten to know and actually become friends with on/through Goodreads, and he sent me this book, which I may discuss in greater length with him, but I loved it. It is joyful and funny and sweet and loving and smart and warm and silly as hell in places. It’s a novel with footnotes in case you struggle with the Yiddish/Hebrew-isms, which I did not cuz I was married to a NYC Jew for a decade so was an honorary NYC Jew for that period, I was designated goyim Shabbat driver and turner-on-of –lights (I’m kidding, she is not observant).
Niggun, or melodies sung with prayers, are key here, the book is Niggun-centric in many ways. Art and music-based. Singing brings Ari pleasure. There should be a CD attached to the book to hum along with. If music be the food of love, play on. –Twelfth Night.
Great Characters: Ari and Itche!; Kimmelman, Ari’s violin teacher; Krohn as terrible boss; Bubbie; Abe and Josh, Talia Weisbaum
Favorite references/images:
Gina Bangerman’s nipples
Ari as noodle
The Great Butter Dish as guide to daily living!!
Bubbie’s 2,000 year old can
Putting on the shvitz, and many many similar puns.
Great chapter titles such as Duck Soup for the Soul, Nipple Sermons, Love or Werewolves
From a writer with “a devastating chronic illness” I expected more anguish, less joy. That makes it a bit of a miracle for me. Read it!
"I believe you spend your life in some kind of hiding place, and you think you're safe from danger and harm, and one of these days you'll wake up and realize that the thing you're keeping yourself from is fullness.”
I wish you fullness, Dov. Or maybe you have it already? Thanks for making my life fuller with this book.
Book Group Questions
What, if anything, distinguishes friendship and romantic love in this novel?
I am tempted to say “nothing important.” Itche and Ari are best friends, bff, and there is some suggestion from others they know that they may at some point be (physical) lovers. But they “cuddle,” which is more intimate in this book than intercourse for this novel. They sometimes sleep in each other’s arms in bed, they kiss. This is a bromance with real physical and psychic intimacy. They are with each other for life, one way or the other. I think the continuum of friendship to romance in this book raises important questions about the importance of sex and romantic commitment. Itche and Ari are lovers, however you want to talk about that.
Is love the most important thing in Itche & Ari? If so, what does that mean?
Yes, and it does not put a priority on romantic love. Family, friendship, all love and just as important.
Straight love, gay love, bi-love, trans love, bubbie love, it's all love.
Would you categorize this book as literary fiction, romance, queer fiction, Jewish fiction, some combination? Why?
Yes. All of the above, depending on what you are looking for. As Jewish fiction it has Roth’s Portnoy’s Complaint, it has Marx Bros, it has footnotes (presumably from the author and not the narrator?) helping you with Jewish/Hebrew/Yiddish discourse. I thought it was closer to sweet Isaac Bashevis Singer than the rougher-edged Roth, but funnier than Singer. It features Ari, a trans guy, so that is important. It’s a comedy, but very literary fiction in many ways. See below. As romance, its characters seem to be obsessed with partnering up, making sure people are not "alone," and not many of the romances work, except the love of Ari and Itche, maybe, but love and being in love is important here. It's romantic comedy, it's transbromantic comedy.
How did your knowledge and experience of Pride and Prejudice influence your reading of the book?
I wrote my MA thesis about Jane Austen, so I saw it as a trans/Jewish version of or homage to the funny and sweet and insightful P&P, and a good one. You do not have to have read that book to appreciate this one, but if you have read it, it enriches the reading of it.
The author is a person I have gotten to know and actually become friends with on/through Goodreads, and he sent me this book, which I may discuss in greater length with him, but I loved it. It is joyful and funny and sweet and loving and smart and warm and silly as hell in places. It’s a novel with footnotes in case you struggle with the Yiddish/Hebrew-isms, which I did not cuz I was married to a NYC Jew for a decade so was an honorary NYC Jew for that period, I was designated goyim Shabbat driver and turner-on-of –lights (I’m kidding, she is not observant).
Niggun, or melodies sung with prayers, are key here, the book is Niggun-centric in many ways. Art and music-based. Singing brings Ari pleasure. There should be a CD attached to the book to hum along with. If music be the food of love, play on. –Twelfth Night.
Great Characters: Ari and Itche!; Kimmelman, Ari’s violin teacher; Krohn as terrible boss; Bubbie; Abe and Josh, Talia Weisbaum
Favorite references/images:
Gina Bangerman’s nipples
Ari as noodle
The Great Butter Dish as guide to daily living!!
Bubbie’s 2,000 year old can
Putting on the shvitz, and many many similar puns.
Great chapter titles such as Duck Soup for the Soul, Nipple Sermons, Love or Werewolves
From a writer with “a devastating chronic illness” I expected more anguish, less joy. That makes it a bit of a miracle for me. Read it!
"I believe you spend your life in some kind of hiding place, and you think you're safe from danger and harm, and one of these days you'll wake up and realize that the thing you're keeping yourself from is fullness.”
I wish you fullness, Dov. Or maybe you have it already? Thanks for making my life fuller with this book.
Read
December 23, 2017Hi folks, The Right Thing to Do at the Time will be published in March! It's a queer romantic comedy with a trans leading man, and it's a retelling of or, as a friend recently said, a bit of midrash (commentary, Jewishly speaking) on Pride and Prejudice. The audio version is in process and will hopefully be available soon. If you have questions feel free to drop me a line! For a bit more info about me or about the book, check out tinygolempress.com or everythinggoesmedia.com.
April 27, 2017
I spent a lot of this book trying to figure out whether or not I would have become friends with Ari or Itche at summer camp, and whether or not I would've hooked up with them. When you read the book, I'd love your thoughts on the matter.
There are so many things I love about this book, and here are a few:
1) If you read or listen carefully, there is meaning, humor, and wonder squeezed into every aspect of this book. If you read or listen not-so-carefully: meaning, humor, and wonder will smack you in the face (not unlike a wet noodle) when you're least expecting it. Either way, these characters, family gatherings, dog walks, nursing home visits, late night anxieties, and conversations with a butter dish are going to strike a chord, or many chords--and you may not be able to put your finger on all of them (at least if you're a noodle, like me.)
2) These characters are akin to family: we might not have chosen them (they might not have chosen each other), we might not understand their motives, but we come to really know them, or realize we've known them all along. Not through some idealized romantic redemption, but through their true awkward humanness, their ambivalence, uncertainty, and layers of questionably functioning coping strategies.
3) Reading this book began with questions that felt big and daunting as I am in my own life, rather desperate for the answers. Then it left me with those same questions, which then felt sweet and satiating without answers, their intrinsic non-answerability resting gently with me. It left me feeling both loved and unloved, open to the absence of some Grand Plan or Life Meaning, and content to exist right between, in that space where you try to measure between friendship and romance with a ruler. Perhaps more importantly, it left me really, really wanting to know how the dog felt about all this. (Dov, can Rubes write the sequel?)
It's strange for me to write so poetically (which is how I write) about a book that is not like a power ballad or a love song that I would write. It's full of humor and truth without trying so hard. But alas, the conversation between me and this book is bound to have a good amount of me in it, so here goes... This book is a familiar niggun (wordless melody): that one that you can't quite remember the middle part to, and you suspect something about it has changed as it has been passed down through generations...or perhaps, you've just gotten it confused with something else and you'll never really know what belongs in this song and what doesn't, but it certainly feels like home.
There are so many things I love about this book, and here are a few:
1) If you read or listen carefully, there is meaning, humor, and wonder squeezed into every aspect of this book. If you read or listen not-so-carefully: meaning, humor, and wonder will smack you in the face (not unlike a wet noodle) when you're least expecting it. Either way, these characters, family gatherings, dog walks, nursing home visits, late night anxieties, and conversations with a butter dish are going to strike a chord, or many chords--and you may not be able to put your finger on all of them (at least if you're a noodle, like me.)
2) These characters are akin to family: we might not have chosen them (they might not have chosen each other), we might not understand their motives, but we come to really know them, or realize we've known them all along. Not through some idealized romantic redemption, but through their true awkward humanness, their ambivalence, uncertainty, and layers of questionably functioning coping strategies.
3) Reading this book began with questions that felt big and daunting as I am in my own life, rather desperate for the answers. Then it left me with those same questions, which then felt sweet and satiating without answers, their intrinsic non-answerability resting gently with me. It left me feeling both loved and unloved, open to the absence of some Grand Plan or Life Meaning, and content to exist right between, in that space where you try to measure between friendship and romance with a ruler. Perhaps more importantly, it left me really, really wanting to know how the dog felt about all this. (Dov, can Rubes write the sequel?)
It's strange for me to write so poetically (which is how I write) about a book that is not like a power ballad or a love song that I would write. It's full of humor and truth without trying so hard. But alas, the conversation between me and this book is bound to have a good amount of me in it, so here goes... This book is a familiar niggun (wordless melody): that one that you can't quite remember the middle part to, and you suspect something about it has changed as it has been passed down through generations...or perhaps, you've just gotten it confused with something else and you'll never really know what belongs in this song and what doesn't, but it certainly feels like home.
June 11, 2018
Frustrated musician Ari Wexler and summer camp obsessed Itche Mattes are best friends… and, possibly, more? The precise nature of their relationship is one of the recurring themes in this wonderfully written book but there are many more besides, from the micro to the macro.
This Pride & Prejudice inspired tale serves up a slice of New York Jewish culture and explores what it is to not have a ‘traditional’ sexual/gender identity. Primarily, it questions the nature of love, in all its forms.
This whimsical novel is heartfelt and funny. It might be lazy to compare it to Woody Allen’s earlier movies but, dagnabbit, it did remind me of them so damn me for a lazy person! Despite this half-arsed comparison, the author has a truly unique voice and deserves to be read.
Oh, and the book also features a talking butter dish. If that doesn’t make you want to read this book, nothing will.
This Pride & Prejudice inspired tale serves up a slice of New York Jewish culture and explores what it is to not have a ‘traditional’ sexual/gender identity. Primarily, it questions the nature of love, in all its forms.
This whimsical novel is heartfelt and funny. It might be lazy to compare it to Woody Allen’s earlier movies but, dagnabbit, it did remind me of them so damn me for a lazy person! Despite this half-arsed comparison, the author has a truly unique voice and deserves to be read.
Oh, and the book also features a talking butter dish. If that doesn’t make you want to read this book, nothing will.
April 25, 2023
A queer Jewish New York City retelling of Pride and Prejudice centered around 20-something trans guy Ari Wexler and his best friend, cis dude Itche Mattes. It's a book about love of so many different kinds: friendship, romantic love, familial love. On one level it's a romantic comedy, but it's deeper than I usually expect those to be, kind towards every member of its large cast, and full of a sense of wonder at the world and humanity. Despite all the interpersonal drama, it has a very relaxed feel; you know everything really will be okay in the end. I really enjoyed reading it despite having zero knowledge of Pride and Prejudice.
June 23, 2017
To call Itche & Ari a take on
Pride and Prejudice
is to do it a disservice, to imply it is derivative and less than it really is. So instead, picture a take on Pride and Prejudice that is gender-scrambled, and in which nobody is straight and everybody is Jewish. Now picture that this is about one-tenth of the full picture. Now we're about ready to talk Itche & Ari.
Ari is a wonderful protagonist. He's flawed and human, conflict-avoidant to a fault, but also sweet and endearing, a truly loveable character. The cast is full of similar quirky yet wonderful characters: chronically nervous Itche, opinionated Bubbie Pearl, enigmatic Talia, unreadable Helen, and of course, the Great Butter Dish.
The story is similarly endearing. It's full of life and laughter, friendship, and of course, the Great Butter Dish. Even when Ari seems to be frittering his days away, the charm of the writing keeps the story engrossing and moving along at a steady pace.
It's honestly hard to describe why Itche & Ari is such a great book without doubling and tripling back on words like "charming" and "witty" and "heartfelt", so there comes a point when you just have to take it from me: there was not a single second when I regretted or second-guessed every moment I spent reading this book.
[I recieved this book via a Goodreads giveaway. I have not been compensated in any way for my feedback; let's be real, nobody would pay for this review.]
Ari is a wonderful protagonist. He's flawed and human, conflict-avoidant to a fault, but also sweet and endearing, a truly loveable character. The cast is full of similar quirky yet wonderful characters: chronically nervous Itche, opinionated Bubbie Pearl, enigmatic Talia, unreadable Helen, and of course, the Great Butter Dish.
The story is similarly endearing. It's full of life and laughter, friendship, and of course, the Great Butter Dish. Even when Ari seems to be frittering his days away, the charm of the writing keeps the story engrossing and moving along at a steady pace.
It's honestly hard to describe why Itche & Ari is such a great book without doubling and tripling back on words like "charming" and "witty" and "heartfelt", so there comes a point when you just have to take it from me: there was not a single second when I regretted or second-guessed every moment I spent reading this book.
[I recieved this book via a Goodreads giveaway. I have not been compensated in any way for my feedback; let's be real, nobody would pay for this review.]
February 24, 2018
Wonderful! Like Pride and Prejudice the beautiful writing, humor and characters draw you in. Like P&P, what makes it so compelling is its depth beyond romance and comedy while never struggling to be deep. Like P&P, I loved entering into this world I knew little about and falling in love with such well written characters. Like P&P they will stay with me. But this is no retelling of the Jane Austen classic. Though the inspiration adds another enjoyable element, I may have missed it had it not been in the description. I'm so glad that the missing scenes of Elizabeth Bennet talking to the great butter dish are fully realized here. I'm so glad this book was so highly recommended to me by a trusted friend. I couldn't speak better of it.
March 22, 2018
I finished reading this very queer and very Jewish take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice a few days ago. It took me some time to process the book. Likewise, it took me some time to get into the book.
Let’s deal first with why it took me so long to commit to the story and it’s characters. I’ll be honest here and admit that I put this down several times to read other books. Why? Thinking back on it, all I can attribute it to is culture shock. I didn’t get the world Itche and Ari were from. I couldn’t see it; or rather I didn’t allow myself to see it by putting this book aside so often in he beginning. This book is very New York and very Jewish (I don’t mean to offend anyone here). These are two things I am not. There are long rambling sections of dialogue or pontificating on the meaning of life, music and noodles. Some of these sections just got very long and boring for me. Little appeared to happen.
But something was happening. All this talk of life, of noodles of kugel, of inaction set the stage for the actual story. True, I wish it could have been done more adroitly, but hey, who am I to stop a violin teacher in the middle of a two page monologue?
The stage has been set and the actors cast: Ari, a transgender man, is Elizabeth. Itche, his best friend, is Jane. Jeremy, Ari’s younger brother is Lydia. Ari’s parents, the Wexlers, play Mr. and Mrs. Bennett although Mrs. Wexler locks herself in her study, and Mr. Wexler anxiously frets over everything and drinks alka seltzer like it’s going out of style.
In essence, the genders (cis and trans) are flip-flopped for just about everyone in the original P&P. It was refreshing to get to this part of the story. I felt more settled, grounded and I recognized the layout of the scenes. Of course, the ending is not what Austen gave us—what would be the fun in that?
Who ends up with whom? Who is queer? Who is not? Does it even matter when it’s about love? How much can friendship love transgress before it becomes more? These are some of the questions that surfaced while reading this retelling of a classic romance. And they are questions to which I still have no clear answer.
I do know, however, that the more I read this book, the more enchanted I became by its complexity and subtlety. By it’s humor (Ari’s fumbling of his soft pack in the gym bathroom stall had me laughing out loud)! If you’re looking for a queer romance, this is one. If you’re looking for MM romance, ask yourself how much or little are you willing to compromise on that.
So, after my culture shock; after easing myself back in and making myself brave this crazy world Dov Zeller created for us, I happily set forth knowing that, at least, I had a very well known and trodden original path to fall back on.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review*
Let’s deal first with why it took me so long to commit to the story and it’s characters. I’ll be honest here and admit that I put this down several times to read other books. Why? Thinking back on it, all I can attribute it to is culture shock. I didn’t get the world Itche and Ari were from. I couldn’t see it; or rather I didn’t allow myself to see it by putting this book aside so often in he beginning. This book is very New York and very Jewish (I don’t mean to offend anyone here). These are two things I am not. There are long rambling sections of dialogue or pontificating on the meaning of life, music and noodles. Some of these sections just got very long and boring for me. Little appeared to happen.
But something was happening. All this talk of life, of noodles of kugel, of inaction set the stage for the actual story. True, I wish it could have been done more adroitly, but hey, who am I to stop a violin teacher in the middle of a two page monologue?
The stage has been set and the actors cast: Ari, a transgender man, is Elizabeth. Itche, his best friend, is Jane. Jeremy, Ari’s younger brother is Lydia. Ari’s parents, the Wexlers, play Mr. and Mrs. Bennett although Mrs. Wexler locks herself in her study, and Mr. Wexler anxiously frets over everything and drinks alka seltzer like it’s going out of style.
In essence, the genders (cis and trans) are flip-flopped for just about everyone in the original P&P. It was refreshing to get to this part of the story. I felt more settled, grounded and I recognized the layout of the scenes. Of course, the ending is not what Austen gave us—what would be the fun in that?
Who ends up with whom? Who is queer? Who is not? Does it even matter when it’s about love? How much can friendship love transgress before it becomes more? These are some of the questions that surfaced while reading this retelling of a classic romance. And they are questions to which I still have no clear answer.
I do know, however, that the more I read this book, the more enchanted I became by its complexity and subtlety. By it’s humor (Ari’s fumbling of his soft pack in the gym bathroom stall had me laughing out loud)! If you’re looking for a queer romance, this is one. If you’re looking for MM romance, ask yourself how much or little are you willing to compromise on that.
So, after my culture shock; after easing myself back in and making myself brave this crazy world Dov Zeller created for us, I happily set forth knowing that, at least, I had a very well known and trodden original path to fall back on.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review*
January 29, 2018
Aching with feeling both sad and sweet, alive with wry humor, rich in portrayals of love in all its many changing, enduring, baffling faces--Itche and Ari tugs at the heart and upwards at the corners of the mouth all the way through. The characters are humanely, expertly portrayed in their oh-so- inexpert humanity and idiosyncrasy. They are characters that are easy to adore, to relate to--and to desperately miss once the last page has been read. It is a triumphant tangle of queer sexuality, romance, and friendship. It is a treasure to have a novel, at last, about queer-platonic (and sometimes less platonic?) love, in all its wacky and wonderful ways. Winding its way between existential comedy, the shadow and structure of Jane Austen, and the sweetness of spiritual song--at once sorrow and exultation--this novel is a delightful mix of the earthy and earthly and the sublime within the lives of queer, trans, and otherwise non-typical protagonists. In that way, the novel is infinitely refreshing--it is populated with characters whose humanity is striking in its realness, and so welcome. All through the book, especially in the second half, the plot accelerates in a way that is believable, delightful-- practically itchy in how compelling one's attachment to each character's outcome becomes. This is the kind of queer fiction that deserves to be read--and a first novel at that! It is so funny, and so desperately soulful. Let Mr. Zeller take you into this world for a little while. It might just remind you of the goodness and complexity of the human spirit, of community, of life.
December 30, 2016
A clever, high-spirited romantic comedy that, while structured loosely on Pride and Prejudice, will keep you guessing right up until the end. Zeller's first book is a wise meditation on friendship and love, in which the author coins and illustrates the maxim that “The distance between friendship and romantic love is never so great that they can’t fall down and knock heads.” This book is bursting with many of my favorite things: witty banter, slapstick humor, soulful music, a blizzard, a beach house, and a dog!
May 18, 2017
This is such an entertaining story that reminds me of the old Woody Allen movies set in New York. It's an. inclusive, contemporary take on Pride and Prejudice that explores gender and Judaism and is overall a sweet and touching story. Even the unlikable characters became sympathetic by the end. Well, except for maybe one. Stanya, I'm talking about you. I hope Dov Zeller will write more books!
May 15, 2018
It's good. You need to be comfortable with Jewish and Jewish-ness. It's very Jewish. There's no side-stepping it and it's good to see. I've never read Pride and Prejudice so I can't say whether it hits the nail in the comparison between it and this story. But it's on its own a good story and enjoyable.
I enjoyed my time with this story. It took me SO LONG to write this because EVERY TIME I would go to write/add this to this blog.. blogger would have issues OR NETGALLEY WOULD.
This was downloaded through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Recommend? Yes. If you've read this lemme know what you thought about it!
I enjoyed my time with this story. It took me SO LONG to write this because EVERY TIME I would go to write/add this to this blog.. blogger would have issues OR NETGALLEY WOULD.
This was downloaded through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Recommend? Yes. If you've read this lemme know what you thought about it!
August 2, 2020
It is a truth universally acknowledged that when a book takes your breath away at every other page with its utter gorgeousness, leaving you gaping in awe at the words, you are in danger of turning into a bubbling mess of excitement. And here I stand as proof of that.
From the first page, I was completely engrossed in the story thanks to the brilliant writing style and unique narrative perspective. Each sentence is filled with delightful, witty humour and a bittersweet irony that aims straight for the depths of the human experience.
We're always reaching out for something, trying to catch it in our hands, love or happiness, those bright little fireflies in the starless night of our minds.
Ari Wexler struggles with the same questions, insecurities, and obstacles that we all have to face during our lives. He is stuck in a job he doesn't truly enjoy, has to deal with a range of family issues, and feels trapped between the impossibility of finding love and the pressure exerted by the ones around him to be in a romantic relationship. After a long series of failures in the last department, he swears to give up on it altogether, but there is an emptiness inside him that threatens to become overwhelming. Encouraged by certain friends and family, and pushed to the limits by circumstances, he gradually gathers the courage to take some risks and gains a new outlook on how to lead his life. He undergoes an organic development from the scared, indecisive, lost noodle thinking he could not tolerate having what he could not tolerate losing to someone who is willing to accept that fear, not allowing it to stay in his way while making the most of what the world has to offer him. It's much easier hiding away, isolating oneself in a cocoon of solitude, and missed opportunities. But, as Kimmelman says to Ari, when doing that the thing you're keeping yourself from is fullness. So Ari decides to see where his interest in music might take him. This activity of his brings forth various views concerning art, including his teacher's passionate outbursts and polemic dialogues with other characters.
Undoubtedly, one of the greatest things this book succeeds in achieving is revealing the thin line separating friendship from romance, how one merges into the other, dangerously shifting, igniting confusion, anxiety, and indicating the possibility of change. There are affectionate friends who openly declare their love for each other, cuddle and constantly kiss on the cheek. There are long-time friends who have been in love with each other but don't risk compromising their bond. There are people who started off by dating, ending up in a platonic relationship. Friendship can take a lot of forms, and have so many facets and underlying mysteries. To quote again this treasure of a book: There's nothing wrong with wrestling with a question of friendship and love and the distance between them. It's not a bad question. (...) it's delicate like the filament of a lightbulb. It can be seen at infinite angles, and at each angle lies a distinct world that blossoms into understanding and out of it again.
Did I mention that the protagonist is a trans male? And that pretty much everyone is part in some way of the LGBTQ+ community and is Jewish? There is also a character who is bipolar. Now, this right here is the diversity we need and deserve.
I loved seeing one of my favourite books being transposed into modern times in such a creative manner that gave it a sense of freshness while still maintaining the core of the story. The parallels between characters and events, the gender switches, the ever-present ridiculous and burdensome expectations or norms imposed on us, and society's flaws were all masterfully integrated into a whimsical, profound book that should get so much more recognition than it does.
From the first page, I was completely engrossed in the story thanks to the brilliant writing style and unique narrative perspective. Each sentence is filled with delightful, witty humour and a bittersweet irony that aims straight for the depths of the human experience.
We're always reaching out for something, trying to catch it in our hands, love or happiness, those bright little fireflies in the starless night of our minds.
Ari Wexler struggles with the same questions, insecurities, and obstacles that we all have to face during our lives. He is stuck in a job he doesn't truly enjoy, has to deal with a range of family issues, and feels trapped between the impossibility of finding love and the pressure exerted by the ones around him to be in a romantic relationship. After a long series of failures in the last department, he swears to give up on it altogether, but there is an emptiness inside him that threatens to become overwhelming. Encouraged by certain friends and family, and pushed to the limits by circumstances, he gradually gathers the courage to take some risks and gains a new outlook on how to lead his life. He undergoes an organic development from the scared, indecisive, lost noodle thinking he could not tolerate having what he could not tolerate losing to someone who is willing to accept that fear, not allowing it to stay in his way while making the most of what the world has to offer him. It's much easier hiding away, isolating oneself in a cocoon of solitude, and missed opportunities. But, as Kimmelman says to Ari, when doing that the thing you're keeping yourself from is fullness. So Ari decides to see where his interest in music might take him. This activity of his brings forth various views concerning art, including his teacher's passionate outbursts and polemic dialogues with other characters.
Undoubtedly, one of the greatest things this book succeeds in achieving is revealing the thin line separating friendship from romance, how one merges into the other, dangerously shifting, igniting confusion, anxiety, and indicating the possibility of change. There are affectionate friends who openly declare their love for each other, cuddle and constantly kiss on the cheek. There are long-time friends who have been in love with each other but don't risk compromising their bond. There are people who started off by dating, ending up in a platonic relationship. Friendship can take a lot of forms, and have so many facets and underlying mysteries. To quote again this treasure of a book: There's nothing wrong with wrestling with a question of friendship and love and the distance between them. It's not a bad question. (...) it's delicate like the filament of a lightbulb. It can be seen at infinite angles, and at each angle lies a distinct world that blossoms into understanding and out of it again.
Did I mention that the protagonist is a trans male? And that pretty much everyone is part in some way of the LGBTQ+ community and is Jewish? There is also a character who is bipolar. Now, this right here is the diversity we need and deserve.
I loved seeing one of my favourite books being transposed into modern times in such a creative manner that gave it a sense of freshness while still maintaining the core of the story. The parallels between characters and events, the gender switches, the ever-present ridiculous and burdensome expectations or norms imposed on us, and society's flaws were all masterfully integrated into a whimsical, profound book that should get so much more recognition than it does.
dnf
June 3, 2018
I was sent this book as an advanced copy by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.
Officially on hold, possibly forever, at around 16% of the ARC.
I think this is a great book and the writing is so unique and it's what initially made me think that I would love it. However, it's really not easy to read at all. Not just the writing style, but the book itself is just...difficult. Difficult as in, you can't take anything literally.
For example, Ari not being able to break up with his girlfriends isn't something that you should take literally, at least not in my interpretation. It's a metaphor and a great representation of what it means to wander through life passively. That makes it difficult for me to read because it hits too close to home, but also it's full of references that I feel like I don't really get. I'm just not in the mood or in the right place to read a book that takes me a lot of effort to read.
Rep: Jewish trans man queer MC, Jewish queer LI
Officially on hold, possibly forever, at around 16% of the ARC.
I think this is a great book and the writing is so unique and it's what initially made me think that I would love it. However, it's really not easy to read at all. Not just the writing style, but the book itself is just...difficult. Difficult as in, you can't take anything literally.
For example, Ari not being able to break up with his girlfriends isn't something that you should take literally, at least not in my interpretation. It's a metaphor and a great representation of what it means to wander through life passively. That makes it difficult for me to read because it hits too close to home, but also it's full of references that I feel like I don't really get. I'm just not in the mood or in the right place to read a book that takes me a lot of effort to read.
Rep: Jewish trans man queer MC, Jewish queer LI
July 26, 2019
I received a free ebook copy of The Right Thing to Do at the Time in exchange for my honest review.
I believe I would have enjoyed this novel far more if I hadn't known it was meant to be a Pride and Prejudice retelling. While there are parallels, it isn't a perfect match to the original, and I spent stressful amount of time trying to work out who was who as the story moved forward slowly and characters eventually became introduced.
The Right Thing to Do at the Time employs a dry Jewish humor that I did find quite enjoyable, with ample footnotes to translate the Yiddish bits. Additionally, Itche and Ari's friendship is heartwarming and frankly is what makes the book worth the read. Itche and Ari have been friends since summer camp, both outcast; Ari was forced to sleep in a tent outside (the boys called it his "apartment") instead of a cabin because he was trans. They are supportive of each other in all ways, basically family, and it's excellent.
There is a lot of transphobia in this book. Ari's bubbie refuses to use his real name, his father makes a weird comment about everyone accepting the genitals God gave them, many people stare at his crotch inappropriately or make gross comments about trans people in general, and there's a trans-antagonistic confrontation near the end that left me in tears. This isn't to say it isn't accurate to life, but it's worth noting. Ari's family -- and the cast of characters generally, excepting Itche -- all left me rather fermished.
I believe I would have enjoyed this novel far more if I hadn't known it was meant to be a Pride and Prejudice retelling. While there are parallels, it isn't a perfect match to the original, and I spent stressful amount of time trying to work out who was who as the story moved forward slowly and characters eventually became introduced.
The Right Thing to Do at the Time employs a dry Jewish humor that I did find quite enjoyable, with ample footnotes to translate the Yiddish bits. Additionally, Itche and Ari's friendship is heartwarming and frankly is what makes the book worth the read. Itche and Ari have been friends since summer camp, both outcast; Ari was forced to sleep in a tent outside (the boys called it his "apartment") instead of a cabin because he was trans. They are supportive of each other in all ways, basically family, and it's excellent.
There is a lot of transphobia in this book. Ari's bubbie refuses to use his real name, his father makes a weird comment about everyone accepting the genitals God gave them, many people stare at his crotch inappropriately or make gross comments about trans people in general, and there's a trans-antagonistic confrontation near the end that left me in tears. This isn't to say it isn't accurate to life, but it's worth noting. Ari's family -- and the cast of characters generally, excepting Itche -- all left me rather fermished.
February 7, 2018
To begin with I'd like to talk about just how beautiful the cover of this novel is and although people (and myself) always say don't judge a book by its cover, how could you not? Personally I believe this portrays the whole story fairly well - New York, a violin and a whole lot of being pulled in different directions.
Ari is a trans male who has no clue what he wants from life, has sworn off love and is only just content with how things are. He works in a music library and plays the violin on the side. His best friend a cisgender male named Itche (pronounced Itchy) is a set designer and a romantic, both live in New York and both have trouble with love and life. Both of these characters are Jewish, and in their mid 20's. This book is written in third person but focuses on Ari for the most part. Oh and it's a romantic comedy.
Now for my own completely personal opinions, to being with this book did something strange to my reading habit, if I enjoy a book I can't wait to pick it up and can't get my nose out of it without promise of food, other books I have to persuade myself to pick it up and am slow to finish it. Meanwhile with this book it took me time to pick it up but once I had I couldn't stop reading it. Basically I enjoyed it.
Full Review: http://whosella.blogspot.co.uk/2018/0...
Ari is a trans male who has no clue what he wants from life, has sworn off love and is only just content with how things are. He works in a music library and plays the violin on the side. His best friend a cisgender male named Itche (pronounced Itchy) is a set designer and a romantic, both live in New York and both have trouble with love and life. Both of these characters are Jewish, and in their mid 20's. This book is written in third person but focuses on Ari for the most part. Oh and it's a romantic comedy.
Now for my own completely personal opinions, to being with this book did something strange to my reading habit, if I enjoy a book I can't wait to pick it up and can't get my nose out of it without promise of food, other books I have to persuade myself to pick it up and am slow to finish it. Meanwhile with this book it took me time to pick it up but once I had I couldn't stop reading it. Basically I enjoyed it.
Full Review: http://whosella.blogspot.co.uk/2018/0...
January 29, 2018
I found The Right Thing to Do at the Time by Dov Zeller to be humorous, witty, and touching. The book makes use of a classic Austen story in a new, updated light. Zeller writes in a way that engages.
Recommend for lovers or reading and modern life with all its romantic complications. The book will be released in the U.S. on March 15, 2018.
Recommend for lovers or reading and modern life with all its romantic complications. The book will be released in the U.S. on March 15, 2018.
April 9, 2018
I give this book two stars only because I love the premise and it gets points for representation. The idea of a Jewish trans man on a quest to find love and fulfillment who is so active in his faith is so interesting to me. It had so much potential, but unfortunately I found that the idea was poorly executed. I DNF’d at 10 percent because I just could not handle the writing. I was not at all impressed with it. A lot of the writing felt like it was trying way too hard to be quirky, and a lot of the narrative seemed to not quite make sense in order to seem intelligent and insightful. The writing felt clumsy and rushed, and reading it felt like trying to run a marathon with no preparation. This was especially true for the dialogue, which was very confusing to keep up with. Also, I am not Jewish, but the inclusion of words that have to do with the Jewish faith felt very forced and inauthentic to me. It felt like someone who did not actually use these words in their every day life was trying to use them as much as possible. Again, I am not certain about this because it was not a language that I know anything about, but that was how it felt. I would like to see a premise like this tried again with more careful writing.
May 31, 2018
I can't say enough good things about this book. It is a Jewish romantic comedy featuring a trans protagonist with a passion for the violin - and several equally colorful characters. There is a *lot* of Yiddish, but Dov Zeller provides comprehensive footnotes for the unfamiliar reader.
I've never been a big Austen fan, so the Pride and Prejudice comparisons largely escaped me - but the Fiddler on the Roof comparison is apt. This is a wonderful novel about friendship, romantic entanglements, family, faith, and all the complications that come along with those things.
I received access to this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've never been a big Austen fan, so the Pride and Prejudice comparisons largely escaped me - but the Fiddler on the Roof comparison is apt. This is a wonderful novel about friendship, romantic entanglements, family, faith, and all the complications that come along with those things.
I received access to this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
dropped
February 9, 2018
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Oh boy. This is not a book for everyone. It clearly wasn't for me. And I don't mean because of the story - that's actually really cool - but because of the writing. We get this weird, old-fashion omniscent narration (think that's were our story begins & I will tel you now about our protagonist) & it's the kind you have to like in order to enjoy and be able to read a whole book written like that. I don't. For me, reading this was like listening to a drunk, male relative at a boring family gathering, who doesn't make any sense & doesn't know what he's talking about himself but who really loves the sound of his own voice. So, my worst nightmare basically.
I'm really sorry about this since I was actually so excited about this book. I mean, a Jewish retelling of "Pride and Prejudice" with a trans leading guy! A dream coming true! And yet... I know forcing myself to read something that makes me roll my eyes every 3 seconds will only end with me hating the story alltogether...
Oh boy. This is not a book for everyone. It clearly wasn't for me. And I don't mean because of the story - that's actually really cool - but because of the writing. We get this weird, old-fashion omniscent narration (think that's were our story begins & I will tel you now about our protagonist) & it's the kind you have to like in order to enjoy and be able to read a whole book written like that. I don't. For me, reading this was like listening to a drunk, male relative at a boring family gathering, who doesn't make any sense & doesn't know what he's talking about himself but who really loves the sound of his own voice. So, my worst nightmare basically.
I'm really sorry about this since I was actually so excited about this book. I mean, a Jewish retelling of "Pride and Prejudice" with a trans leading guy! A dream coming true! And yet... I know forcing myself to read something that makes me roll my eyes every 3 seconds will only end with me hating the story alltogether...
March 20, 2018
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway
tldr: 4.5, if you're like me and the queerness and the latter half the the plot makes up for a slower start.
This book is about a transgender Jewish man nearing 30 named Ari Wexler. He's struggling in life, suffering from anxiety about everything and that fear is strangling him, tying him down to a life that makes him miserable. The only real constant good thing he has is his best friend, Itche, but soon even he seems to be taken from him when an actress comes into town, one that Itche quickly becomes obsessed with.
The story itself is about queer identity, about how some people know who they are easily and readily, and how others spend a lifetime figuring it out. How friendship can heighten and sometimes completely block romance.
What kept me reading?: Well, first and foremost, Dov has a very engaging way of writing, even if i find it to be a little much at times, especially with his dialogue. The characters are what draw you in, their struggles, their wants are all understandable.
Ari himself was incredibly relatable for me. I'm a trans guy with social and general anxiety disorder and a whole mess of fears messing me up, keeping me trapped. Having a character navigate that sort of thing was really refreshing.
What made me put the book down?: Sometimes the characters talk too much. Like, page after page of nothing but dialogue. Nothing breaking up, no movement from the character, no change in tone, no anything. Just line after line of this person talking. Not a fan.
Also, though I will say this was not due to a fault in the story, the transphobia did make me have to put it down just for my own mental health sometimes. Trans men and trans women go through different things; trans women are far more likely to see the violent, hateful, even deadly side of transphobia (though, let me be clear here, trans men do, too, it just happens less often), whereas trans men often suffer from what we see in the book. Family and friends and acquaintences that don't take you seriously, that blame you for 'giving up' being a woman, who don't respect your name or anything else about you, who find your whole existence freakish or weird, but they try to pass off their transphobia as a joke. It was really hard to read through sometimes.
Queer rep: As a bisexual trans guy, I was left a little sad. Ari's transness is handled perfectly,
we've got a ton of characters who openly admit to being queer in some form or another, though oddly enough, no other label other than 'queer' is used. I think Itche refers to himself as bi once.
Also I had a little issue with a character who apparently only dated 'women and transmasculine people' - coming from a cis character, that sounded shady as all hell.
tldr: 4.5, if you're like me and the queerness and the latter half the the plot makes up for a slower start.
This book is about a transgender Jewish man nearing 30 named Ari Wexler. He's struggling in life, suffering from anxiety about everything and that fear is strangling him, tying him down to a life that makes him miserable. The only real constant good thing he has is his best friend, Itche, but soon even he seems to be taken from him when an actress comes into town, one that Itche quickly becomes obsessed with.
The story itself is about queer identity, about how some people know who they are easily and readily, and how others spend a lifetime figuring it out. How friendship can heighten and sometimes completely block romance.
What kept me reading?: Well, first and foremost, Dov has a very engaging way of writing, even if i find it to be a little much at times, especially with his dialogue. The characters are what draw you in, their struggles, their wants are all understandable.
Ari himself was incredibly relatable for me. I'm a trans guy with social and general anxiety disorder and a whole mess of fears messing me up, keeping me trapped. Having a character navigate that sort of thing was really refreshing.
What made me put the book down?: Sometimes the characters talk too much. Like, page after page of nothing but dialogue. Nothing breaking up, no movement from the character, no change in tone, no anything. Just line after line of this person talking. Not a fan.
Also, though I will say this was not due to a fault in the story, the transphobia did make me have to put it down just for my own mental health sometimes. Trans men and trans women go through different things; trans women are far more likely to see the violent, hateful, even deadly side of transphobia (though, let me be clear here, trans men do, too, it just happens less often), whereas trans men often suffer from what we see in the book. Family and friends and acquaintences that don't take you seriously, that blame you for 'giving up' being a woman, who don't respect your name or anything else about you, who find your whole existence freakish or weird, but they try to pass off their transphobia as a joke. It was really hard to read through sometimes.
Queer rep: As a bisexual trans guy, I was left a little sad. Ari's transness is handled perfectly,
we've got a ton of characters who openly admit to being queer in some form or another, though oddly enough, no other label other than 'queer' is used. I think Itche refers to himself as bi once.
Also I had a little issue with a character who apparently only dated 'women and transmasculine people' - coming from a cis character, that sounded shady as all hell.
Read
November 14, 2017I am not entirely sure what I think about this novel or how I feel about it. Did I hate it? Did I love it? Did it confuse me and leave me wondering what I'd just read? I think the answer to all of those questions is yes. I was completely fascinated by this book, which is a whole different category than love vs hate. I stayed up entirely too late reading it, and while there were times I wasn't really taking in what was being said, I understood the deep place of uncertainty, hesitant, and confusion that was Ari at any given point in time. It at no point was anything I was expecting it to be. I'll have to pick it up again some time and see how I feel.
September 12, 2018
The book started off too slow for me, but as the story went deeper, I was more engaged. It's always fun to read Pride and Prejudice inspired stories, because then it's a game of "who's who?" and "which event is which plot line?". Also refreshing to read a book where half the events happen at the shul because the characters spend so much time there, which is an accurate reflection of my life. And despite knowing the end of P&P, the ending here still surprised me!
dnf
March 25, 2018Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, Tiny Golem Press, for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
As a former thespian and a fan of Jane Austen, I really was excited to read The Right Thing to Do at the Time. This definitely is the product of a Fiddler on the Roof and Pride and Prejudice mashup with a trans male character, but unfortunately the style of writing was not for me and I struggled to get into the narrative from the first page. The narrator is bouncing all over the place in a way that works in a play but not as easy to execute in a novel. I felt like I was listening to a drunk friend ramble and not make any sense. This is the same reason that I dislike reading Charles Bukowski.
DNF at 16%, I really tried but the writing style completely turned me off from an interesting tale Just because the writing style wasn't for me, doesn't mean that you won't enjoy this book.
As a former thespian and a fan of Jane Austen, I really was excited to read The Right Thing to Do at the Time. This definitely is the product of a Fiddler on the Roof and Pride and Prejudice mashup with a trans male character, but unfortunately the style of writing was not for me and I struggled to get into the narrative from the first page. The narrator is bouncing all over the place in a way that works in a play but not as easy to execute in a novel. I felt like I was listening to a drunk friend ramble and not make any sense. This is the same reason that I dislike reading Charles Bukowski.
DNF at 16%, I really tried but the writing style completely turned me off from an interesting tale Just because the writing style wasn't for me, doesn't mean that you won't enjoy this book.
March 25, 2018
I had a hard time getting into this book at first. I don't deal well with angst and woe-is-me characters. Once I gave it a chance and really read it, I enjoyed it more. I realized that Ari, the main character, had some growing to do emotionally. He wants to be in a relationship, but sees them as possibly being toxic to the soul. He thinks he knows what he wants but it doesn't seem to be out there. He has a job he likes, but the supervisor is making him miserable. He plays the fiddle with a taskmaster instructor who knows Ari can do better, but Ari doesn't seem to think so.
As the book goes on, Ari grew on me, but it was after the angst started to thin and he actually began to enjoy life.
The author places footnotes at the bottom of the page for most of the book. It's for those of who don't live in the Jewish world and it was helpful if a bit distracting at first. It's almost like reading a research paper in format and that kept me from enjoying the story in the beginning.
Again, once I got past some of my issues, I enjoyed the story. Ari is trans, but the author doesn't dwell on that, it's just part of the story. I liked that aspect a lot.
I can recommend this book.
As the book goes on, Ari grew on me, but it was after the angst started to thin and he actually began to enjoy life.
The author places footnotes at the bottom of the page for most of the book. It's for those of who don't live in the Jewish world and it was helpful if a bit distracting at first. It's almost like reading a research paper in format and that kept me from enjoying the story in the beginning.
Again, once I got past some of my issues, I enjoyed the story. Ari is trans, but the author doesn't dwell on that, it's just part of the story. I liked that aspect a lot.
I can recommend this book.
March 15, 2018
I really didn't like this to begin with, but about halfway through grew a lot more engaged and ended up enjoying it. The omniscient narrator tries far too hard to be quirky and funny (and fails - is too intruding) to start off with, but soon the characters come through. Most of the supporting characters are pretty one dimensional but there are some fun ones among them (Bubbe Pearl). The author succeeds in really immersing you in the life of a New York Jewish community. It's also very refreshing to read a book about a (Jewish) trans guy which isn't dominated by the fact that he is trans/ focused on his coming out story. Ari is very comfortable in his identity as are most of the people around him. It really is just a typical romantic comedy of errors and dating. Had I known in advance that this was a retelling of Pride & Prejudice I think I may have preferred it. Real rating: 3.6 stars
November 4, 2018
The Right Thing to Do at the Time by Dov Zeller
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
I received this book through LibraryThing is exchange for an honest review.I wanted to like this book. I wanted to like it so much. A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice? With queer characters? Sounds great. However, it just did not live up to the promise of success.My main problem with the book was the writing. It was unnecessarily complicated and drawn out. This book did not need to be nearly as long as it was. It's roughly 100 pages longer than Pride and Prejudice itself. The book would have been stronger if it had been more concise and cut out some of the unnecessary threads. There is so much in the novel that isn't really important or even resolved. This made reading it such a chore. It just went on and on and went nowhere. Along with this, I am pretty confident in saying that this is the first novel I have read with footnotes. I was conflicted about them. They gave some good background information on various Jewish holidays and Yiddish phrases, but they really pulled you out of the story. Yet, if I didn't read them, I felt like I was missing out on information. In my opinion, the footnotes were not needed and instead disrupted the narrative. The information could have easily been worked into the narrative or even simplified and included in parentheses within the text.I will say that I did like the representation of queer characters and relationships. None of the characters are cut and dry. It was interesting to see the unique struggles Ari had being a trans man in comparison to the non-trans characters and how it effected relationships with other characters.However, I found that I absolutely hated Ari. What a horrible reimagining of Elizabeth Bennet, one of the greatest heroines in literature who is not afraid to speak her mind even within an oppressive society. Then you have Ari, who can't make a decision to save his life. Everyone calls him a "noodle" throughout the book, which holds true, but making your main character a "noodle" is a horrible way to keep readers interested in your book. I hated him so much. Even by the end, I just could not like him. I am also a bit conflicted on whether a reader should have read Pride and Prejudice before reading this book. There are interesting subtleties with the characters and it's kind of fun to figure out who is who (Mr. Wexler makes a great Mrs. Bennet). However, as someone who loved Pride and Prejudice, this just felt like blaspheme. To take such a great work and turn it into this mess was a disappointment. This book was not well-constructed. I loved the idea of a genderqueer Pride and Prejudice, but that was all it had going for it. While I think this book had a very interesting premise, it was just a complete mess in my opinion. I trudged through it after reading multiple reviews saying it was dull at first but picked up as you went on. I kept reading, but by page 300 I knew nothing would redeem the book and just pushed through to the end. As I said before, the main idea of this book was good, but the execution did not make it a successful novel.
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
I received this book through LibraryThing is exchange for an honest review.I wanted to like this book. I wanted to like it so much. A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice? With queer characters? Sounds great. However, it just did not live up to the promise of success.My main problem with the book was the writing. It was unnecessarily complicated and drawn out. This book did not need to be nearly as long as it was. It's roughly 100 pages longer than Pride and Prejudice itself. The book would have been stronger if it had been more concise and cut out some of the unnecessary threads. There is so much in the novel that isn't really important or even resolved. This made reading it such a chore. It just went on and on and went nowhere. Along with this, I am pretty confident in saying that this is the first novel I have read with footnotes. I was conflicted about them. They gave some good background information on various Jewish holidays and Yiddish phrases, but they really pulled you out of the story. Yet, if I didn't read them, I felt like I was missing out on information. In my opinion, the footnotes were not needed and instead disrupted the narrative. The information could have easily been worked into the narrative or even simplified and included in parentheses within the text.I will say that I did like the representation of queer characters and relationships. None of the characters are cut and dry. It was interesting to see the unique struggles Ari had being a trans man in comparison to the non-trans characters and how it effected relationships with other characters.However, I found that I absolutely hated Ari. What a horrible reimagining of Elizabeth Bennet, one of the greatest heroines in literature who is not afraid to speak her mind even within an oppressive society. Then you have Ari, who can't make a decision to save his life. Everyone calls him a "noodle" throughout the book, which holds true, but making your main character a "noodle" is a horrible way to keep readers interested in your book. I hated him so much. Even by the end, I just could not like him. I am also a bit conflicted on whether a reader should have read Pride and Prejudice before reading this book. There are interesting subtleties with the characters and it's kind of fun to figure out who is who (Mr. Wexler makes a great Mrs. Bennet). However, as someone who loved Pride and Prejudice, this just felt like blaspheme. To take such a great work and turn it into this mess was a disappointment. This book was not well-constructed. I loved the idea of a genderqueer Pride and Prejudice, but that was all it had going for it. While I think this book had a very interesting premise, it was just a complete mess in my opinion. I trudged through it after reading multiple reviews saying it was dull at first but picked up as you went on. I kept reading, but by page 300 I knew nothing would redeem the book and just pushed through to the end. As I said before, the main idea of this book was good, but the execution did not make it a successful novel.
April 26, 2018
I’d like to say that I got a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my opinions at all.
Secondly, I want to say that I DNFed this book. I got to the 49% mark and I simply couldn’t keep reading it, much to my surprise.
I DNFed this book because of the writing style and of the characters which did not pull me in at all. I really liked the omniscient narrator. I recognize that it can be a challenge for some readers and it’s one that it’s eaither a hit or a miss. For me it was a hit.
When I say the writing style put me off I mean to say that the formatting of the paragraphs (too dense, too much inner monologues included) and the fact that the writer chose to show us all the character’s inner thoughts was too much for me. I couldn’t focus on the story as I felt that there were useless obstacles keeping me from enjoying the plot.
Also, the characters were not my cup of tea. I liked Itche (pronounced like Itchy, totally goes with his personality) but none of the other characters gripped me, especially not Ari — which is a shame given that he’s the main character. They were so different from me in a way that made me feel alien from the story. I don’t mean the diversity in the story (Ari is trans and Itche is LBGTQ) but I mean the very Jewish and New York aspect of them. So much of the story relied on the reader’s knowledge of the Jewish community and faith, and I could not understand 95% of it. Don’t get me wrong, I read outside of my comfort zone often, but I felt that the explanations given were not enough, and that the way they were given left much to be desired (I’ll get into it in a bit).
One thing that I have to highlight because I liked it was the diversity. It didn’t feel like tokenism, rather it felt like it was well incorporated into the story. I especially loved reading about Ari’s relationship with his grandmother (which is awful, but shed a lot of light onto how people deal with trans people). I didn’t get to learn much about Itche, but I liked the camp stories he told about coming to terms with his sexuality.
Going back to my Jewish point, I think that the notes could have been better incorporated into the story. Reading this in an ebook it was a lot of trouble to keep going to the end of the book and then to the start again. I think the editors should just have chosen to leave the annotations explained in the footnotes part of the page. This would have made me more interested in Jewish history and culture, and I admit that I didn’t read most explanations because it was so unpractical.
All in all, I’m happy that I got to read this even if I didn’t like it. It’s not for me, personally, but it could definitely be for other readers out there.
Secondly, I want to say that I DNFed this book. I got to the 49% mark and I simply couldn’t keep reading it, much to my surprise.
I DNFed this book because of the writing style and of the characters which did not pull me in at all. I really liked the omniscient narrator. I recognize that it can be a challenge for some readers and it’s one that it’s eaither a hit or a miss. For me it was a hit.
When I say the writing style put me off I mean to say that the formatting of the paragraphs (too dense, too much inner monologues included) and the fact that the writer chose to show us all the character’s inner thoughts was too much for me. I couldn’t focus on the story as I felt that there were useless obstacles keeping me from enjoying the plot.
Also, the characters were not my cup of tea. I liked Itche (pronounced like Itchy, totally goes with his personality) but none of the other characters gripped me, especially not Ari — which is a shame given that he’s the main character. They were so different from me in a way that made me feel alien from the story. I don’t mean the diversity in the story (Ari is trans and Itche is LBGTQ) but I mean the very Jewish and New York aspect of them. So much of the story relied on the reader’s knowledge of the Jewish community and faith, and I could not understand 95% of it. Don’t get me wrong, I read outside of my comfort zone often, but I felt that the explanations given were not enough, and that the way they were given left much to be desired (I’ll get into it in a bit).
One thing that I have to highlight because I liked it was the diversity. It didn’t feel like tokenism, rather it felt like it was well incorporated into the story. I especially loved reading about Ari’s relationship with his grandmother (which is awful, but shed a lot of light onto how people deal with trans people). I didn’t get to learn much about Itche, but I liked the camp stories he told about coming to terms with his sexuality.
Going back to my Jewish point, I think that the notes could have been better incorporated into the story. Reading this in an ebook it was a lot of trouble to keep going to the end of the book and then to the start again. I think the editors should just have chosen to leave the annotations explained in the footnotes part of the page. This would have made me more interested in Jewish history and culture, and I admit that I didn’t read most explanations because it was so unpractical.
All in all, I’m happy that I got to read this even if I didn’t like it. It’s not for me, personally, but it could definitely be for other readers out there.
July 17, 2018
In this modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Ari, a trans guy living in Brooklyn, has settled into a nondescript life, working in a music library where he's abused by his boss, finding less joy or purpose in pursuing his violin lessons or music compositions, and giving up on love. His only joy is his friendship with Itchie, who he'd met in summer camp when they were children. When Itchie becomes enamored with Tanya, a TV actress who's attending the same bar mitzvah as Itchie and Ari, the ground starts to shift. Soon Ari is confronted by Tanya's best friend, Helen, who he thought detested him. But things aren't always what they seem.
There's a lot going on in this book. It's charm is in the wacky, creative narration, all seasoned with very Jewish tropes and expressions. Ari's dysfunctional family is well drawn, with his only respite being his grandmother, Bubbie Pearl.
I wanted to love this book for its Jewish soul, which is quite present. But the first third had us stuck in Ari's neurosis and inaction for way too long. Then there were plot points that either made little sense (in Ari's first conversation with Helen about art and nostalgia, he is all of a sudden very erudite which didn't fit with the character described to that point) or left me with gaping questions (what was Ari's reaction to Helen's long letter? Why did Josh and Izzy steal Ari's stuff and then just give it back? What happened to them?). A good editor would have caught all of this.
So overall, based on the good points I'm rounding up my 3.5 rating to a 4 in honor of the butter dish.
There's a lot going on in this book. It's charm is in the wacky, creative narration, all seasoned with very Jewish tropes and expressions. Ari's dysfunctional family is well drawn, with his only respite being his grandmother, Bubbie Pearl.
I wanted to love this book for its Jewish soul, which is quite present. But the first third had us stuck in Ari's neurosis and inaction for way too long. Then there were plot points that either made little sense (in Ari's first conversation with Helen about art and nostalgia, he is all of a sudden very erudite which didn't fit with the character described to that point) or left me with gaping questions (what was Ari's reaction to Helen's long letter? Why did Josh and Izzy steal Ari's stuff and then just give it back? What happened to them?). A good editor would have caught all of this.
So overall, based on the good points I'm rounding up my 3.5 rating to a 4 in honor of the butter dish.
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