O My America!

Library of Modern Jewish Literature

by Johanna Kaplan

"A novel to savor and think about, particularly the memorable memorial service with its unexpected speaker". -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Genres: Fiction

286 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Erika Dreifus]

Reading this as part of a "day-job" project for Fig Tree Books, where I'm becoming acquainted (or sometimes, re-acquainted), with books that have won the Edward Lewis Wallant Award. See the latest update, which focuses on Julie Orringer's The Invisible Bridge, at http://bit.ly/1TXkpEP.

[Thomas Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bittersweet and big-hearted, about a woman exploring memories of her late father, an unlikely anarchist hero of the American left. The vast majority of this book is just people's stories, but the stories are good and engrossing and full of different angles on the Jewish immigrant experience. The characters are well-drawn - one in particular, the protagonist's half-sister, is so plausibly irritating that it was difficult to get through her vapid monologues. Odd that I never see anyone talking about this book, because it feels important. Can't put my finger on why, though.

[LadyCalico · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this an unpleasant book to read, and I had to force myself through it. The writing was choppy, going back and forth between the story of the father's death and funeral and the eldest daughter's memories. Through it all dropped bits and pieces of myriad underdeveloped characters--usually engaged in some kind of abstract argument or harangue that seemed to have little purpose except pseudo-intellectual one-upsmanship--wasting much effort by trying to feel big by making someone else feel small. All the hot air got horrendously boooring, when the only appropriate response should have been a quick "who the hell cares?" The most boring character was Ffrenchie, so, of course, she was given the most dialogue...er, monologue, none of these characters was mature enough to manage dialogue. My biggest problem with the book was a total lack of interesting or likable characters--leaving me no one or nothing to enjoy. The father was just a hypocrite criticizing others while he lived his life as a total waste of flesh and breath--what is interesting about that? In general the characters were the type of effete, snotty, self-important elitists who talked big and superior in the abstract while living small and mean in the concrete, thinking they are coming off as so smart while in actuality making total asses of themselves. These are the type of people I avoid associating with in real life and care even less to associate with in novels, since reading takes longer and life is already too short. Apparently the author was trying to write a smart, satirical book and probably to some degree she succeeded. However, I read for entertainment and do not appreciate a book that is artsy-fartsy but not in the least bit enjoyable.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disjointed to get through, and from a character and plot perspective the book is somewhat disappointing. From a social commentary perspective, and social commentary that is still relevant for today's society, it's a success. Full thoughts here.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book at all. I read it for a book club I belong to. I thought there was too much political material. It was a weird book. Even the relationships weren't relatable for me. Odd book