"Jews vs. Aliens" edited by Lavie Tidhar (BR)

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Well it's beautiful, and the first story is hilarious so far, so I bought it. Who's in?

[Sarah]

Ooh! I'm pretty excited about this. I'm definitely in.

[Anna]

I’m so in! I’ll probably start it very soon, possibly tomorrow.

edit: I read the first one. I think I’ll try to read one per day.

[Hillary]

I got my copy yesterday, so I may try to join in (though I have some Tamora Pierce to finish up first). Sounds like fun!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Yay!

Please do use spoiler tags and tell us page numbers/chapters/story titles so we can respond when we begin the discussion!

[Jordan]

Just picked this up today. I'm hoping to start it in the next day or so, probably after I finish the Asimov book that I'm on.

[Anna]

I really liked the first story, especially the (view spoiler)[Flex/Ase wedding planner! (hide spoiler)]

I had to stop reading in the middle of the second one, and I haven't picked it back up. Honestly it wasn't very exciting, and I haven't felt like finishing it.

[Anna]

I liked "Antaius Floating in the Heavens Among the Stars", "The Reluctant Jew" and "Excision". They were all funny and I didn't need to know very much about Judaism to be able to understand them. I wasn't expecting to have a hard time with these stories, but I found out that I don't really know much about Jewish culture, so I feel like I probably completely missed out on several good parts.

[Hillary]

Enjoyed the comedy in "Antaius" (view spoiler)[ I appreciated the feeling of "translated" text in the prose of the opening brochure. I was primed to resent the mother-in-law, but given how things turned out, I suppose she had a point. (Of course, it was her suggestion of the pigs in blankets that really put things over the edge, but I can't think the HiveMind would have done well even absent that.) Still, Edith has a lot of nerve ... I hope whatever Rachel & Michael do for seder, they do together! (hide spoiler)]

[Anna]

I'm still thinking about why it felt so different reading this compared to other books where the characters/world/setting are foreign to me. I guess it's because I've fallen into a comfort zone of diversity, meaning that I read a lot of the same type of diverse books. And that means that even if the authors/characters/worlds are not the same as me/mine, they're no longer new and foreign to me. So this challenge is actually challenging me to read outside my comfort zone. It's a bit of a surprise to me, because I thought I was already doing that.

I now also kind of understand why some people find it hard to read something that's not familiar. It's not that I couldn't understand the stories, but like I said in my previous post, I felt constantly that I was missing out on something. I don't know if it's true, but some of the stories seemed to expect me to have at least some level of knowledge of Jewish culture. It didn't feel like I was learning much, just realizing how little I know.

To clarify, I do know the basics of the major world religions, but I'm not at all familiar with the Jewish culture in any country really. I've visited the local synagogue, but that is the extent of my real life experience. I actually did some research into the Jewish community in Finland, and I'm not surprised I know so little. There are only two synagogues in the whole country, and the one in the capital city has a mere 1100 members.

I wouldn't have found and read this anthology if it wasn't for this challenge, so yay! It's already doing its job. I'm going to read a few other things before I move onto The Golem and the Jinni.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Anna, I think it's wonderful that the challenge is getting you to think and into a place where we feel outside. Thanks for being so thoughtful about it!

I know what you mean--I was actually just discussing a similar feeling about another book the other day. It'd be like trying to understand the Narnia books if the only thing one knew of Christianity was the Jesus story.

I haven't finished this yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I wonder if any members reading along might have more context they'd be willing to share? I'm also seeing if some of my friends who are Jewish would like to read with me/us so that we could get some insight from them.

Also, I knew the Jewish population of Finland was small, but that's very small!! I'm impressed that you have the knowledge you do if the representation is that skewed.

[Anna]

Allison wrote: "I was actually just discussing a similar feeling about another book the other day. It'd be like trying to understand the Narnia books if the only thing one knew of Christianity was the Jesus story."

I was originally going to say that I now understand how my sisters-in-law feel when me and my brothers talk about Star Wars, Star Trek, LOTR, Harry Potter, etc. Or someone yelling "Hold the door!" if you haven't watched GoT.

Or Narnia for me :D I don't really want to talk about religion, but suffice it to say that I don't know a single religious person in real life.

So again, this challenge will encourage me to read something I wouldn't otherwise, and that's exactly what's supposed to happen!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Anna wrote: "Allison wrote: "I was actually just discussing a similar feeling about another book the other day. It'd be like trying to understand the Narnia books if the only thing one knew of Christianity was ..."

Yes! Lots of "in group" knowledge. Also, I think a very dear friend of mine who is Jewish is going to try to discuss this book with us/provide context to me and I'm really excited for hearing what she has to say.

[Anna]

Oh, that's great! I'm looking forward to it!

[Julia]

I am Jewish and I've read Jews versus Aliens. I read it awhile ago, but it's still on my Kindle.

Ask me questions!

Narnia: As a Jewish kid, I had to be told it was allegory. When I started it, I read it as straight- up fantasy.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Julia wrote: "I am Jewish and I've read Jews versus Aliens. I read it awhile ago, but it's still on my Kindle.

Ask me questions!

Narnia: As a Jewish kid, I had to be told it was allegory. When ..."

Thank you for that offer, Julia! I am hoping to get to it for realz very soon and I will definitely take you up on that.

Re: Narnia, totally readable as fantasy. That's how I did it, too. But then we analyzed it for something and it was like reading a whole separate book. It was the first thing that came to mind when I thought about how context really changes a book--but maybe not the strongest example.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Just finished Antaius.

(view spoiler)[ I did think it was funny! It had a lot of good jokes about what it would be like to explain some classic human things to nonhumans, the stress of weddings, the confusion about different mating rituals. I liked the inclusion of the alien POV. The "Jewish mother" trope though feels like something I wouldn't have laughed at if it was written by goyim though. As it was I did find it funny to see the not so subtle intrusion and the ways the couple dealt with it--I liked that that was left to our imagination. How did everyone view the family aspect of the story? (hide spoiler)]

Just started Meroz. So far this just feels like actual conversations I've observed, except for the socialism and dying. Did the Yiddish throw anyone off? Or did you feel that it made it feel that much more immersive?

[Julia]

Glossary from that story

Tzaddik- a holy man, could be a rabbi.
Yeshiva- boys school.
Hashem- A Jew can't say God's name, or even write it, some write it G-d in English. Hashem means the name, or the name of God.
Rashi- was a great teacher & writer.
Zohar- is the holy book/ a heretical book of Kabbalah Jewish mysticism.
Klezmorim- musicians.
Golem- a mystical being made from earth to protect Jews or for one purpose.
Kvetch- complain.
Drek- what he just walked in, crap.
Hasidim- plural of Hasid, one sect of Orthodox Jews.
Meshugene- crazy.
Schlepped- carried, dragged.
Schmattes- clothes, rags.
Schmattekopf- If she were Hasidic of visiting her Hasidic family she would wear a kerchief over her hair. Why else would her brother call her a raghead, literally?
Sheitel- a wig that married Orthodox Jewish women wear.
Samovar- fancy tea pot.
Rugelach- yummy pastries.
Bupkes- nothing.
Chazzerai- pigs. It's an insult.
Cheder- school.
Davening- praying.
Shaygetz- a non- Jewish boyfriend of a Jewish girl.
Rebbe- a Hasidic rabbi.
Tallis- a prayer shawl worm by Jews when praying.
Tfillin- leather straps worn when praying.
Farshtunken- far off?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Julia wrote: "Glossary from that story

Tzaddik- a holy man, could be a rabbi.
Yeshiva- boys school.
Hashem- A Jew can't say God's name, or even write it, some write it G-d in English. Hashem means the name, or ..."

Wow!! Thank you for doing that!

[Shomeret]

Julia wrote: "Glossary from that story

Tzaddik- a holy man, could be a rabbi.
Yeshiva- boys school.
Hashem- A Jew can't say God's name, or even write it, some write it G-d in English. Hashem means the name, or ..."

Some corrections from someone who was brought up Orthodox.

Yeshiva: Jewish religious school. Can be a girls' school or a mixed school. Mine taught religion in the morning and secular subjects in the afternoon.

Shmattekopf: Indicates someone who doesn't shave her head and wear a wig. This is a legitimate custom difference. Women in this family wear a head covering instead. The use of the term indicates disapproval.

Chazzerai: A general term for non-kosher stuff that does derive from the word "chazar" which means pig

Farshtunken--smelly

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Thanks Shomeret!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Okay, I finished the Matter of Meroz!

(view spoiler)[ I really liked a lot about this. I thought it spoke a lot to what I know is sort of in the consciousness of Jewish people--years of senseless brutality and oppression--and set the culture of the era very well. As someone outside of the faith, it also felt relevant now--the fear of having to fight something like a pogrom, the sense we've done this all before, wondering who will be on what side if something happens. It all felt very relatable, unfortunately. And I liked the tie in with "crumpling the sky" and the prophetess. I think the story itself could have been a little tighter though. It had so many great elements but I thought it could have been made stronger. (hide spoiler)]

What were your thoughts?

[Hillary]

I liked Meroz -- loved the Deborah connection. (view spoiler)[

The opening conversation b/t Lev & Samuel (hope I'm remembering names right, don't have my copy w/me as I type) felt realistic; at the opening, I wasn't sure of the time period, but it emerged through the details. Allison, the story, esp. Raizl's activism, did (unfortunately) seem relevant today, but it also made me think just how RADICAL early 20th C communists were -- their actions would still be radical today.

I very much felt that Raizl was the protagonist, esp. at the end, but the way the story moved between perspectives (mostly hers & Lev's) seemed a little unusual to me. What do you think of the ending? It's more of a respite than a true happy ending ... do you think the villagers end up fleeing? surviving? I try to convince myself that the alien intervention opens the way for one of the happier future possibilities -- in at least one, Raizl dates Arkady again after all -- but part of me thinks that I'm being naive.

Does anyone know the protest/workers' song that's featured? Is it really so dire? (It seems like the story is affectionately critical -- like the author agrees with the message but also that it might be a crime against music/happiness.)

And did I catch a somewhat-contemptuous reference to Fiddler on on the Roof in the branching futures section?

I did think the story skimped a bit on the ending -- all the conversations that are captured, and we never get a full conversation with the aliens or a one-on-one b/t Raizl & one of the group. (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Really great points Hillary. I'd be curious in hearing your questions answered, too! I totally didn't catch the reference, but you're likely right, on second glance!

(view spoiler)[Re: the ending I'm not sure! I had sort of taken from it that Raizl felt empowered to set her own destiny, sort of--if there were no prophecies, only quantifiable probabilities, then maybe her path was as good as any. (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I've read Alien Thoughts and Reluctant Jew

Alien Thoughts:
(view spoiler)[This one was more action packed and conceptual. I liked the tie ins. I had a hard time following some of the things, but the battle for Earth with S was a neat spin to me. (hide spoiler)]

Reluctant Jew:
(view spoiler)[hilarious!! I read several lines out to my spouse. This one felt much more light hearted than conceptual. (hide spoiler)]

[Jordan]

Okay, finally managed to get started on this.

I finished Antaius. (view spoiler)[I was pretty meh on it overall. It had an amusing moment or two, but overall I'm a little burned out on comedic takes on how weird human customs are. (hide spoiler)]

I'm about halfway through Meroz and finding it really interesting so far.

[Jordan]

Mostly through this now.

Finished The Matter of Meroz (view spoiler)[which I really liked. Kind of reminded me in some ways of A Wrinkle in Time. (hide spoiler)]

Finished Alien Thoughts (view spoiler)[I don't know how I feel about this one. I was left with an overall positive impression but no idea what the heck I'd read. (hide spoiler)]

Finished The Reluctant Jew (view spoiler)[I think this one's definitely my favorite so far. Lots of humor that I loved. (hide spoiler)]

Finished To Serve... Breakfast (view spoiler)[I mean, it was kind of obvious where this one was heading. I found it pretty amusing in the end anyways. (hide spoiler)]

Finished The Farm (view spoiler)[I don't know. I wanted more of a creepy atmosphere from this one? Horror based things typically fall short for me. (hide spoiler)]

Finished Don't Blink (view spoiler)[I liked this one pretty well. Although I definitely got a bit lost in the whole mirrors and water thing a few times. (hide spoiler)]

Currently reading Nameless and Shameless.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Nice summaries, Jordan! Glad you're finding things you enjoy. I agree, Reluctant Jew was hilarious.

I really liked "The Farm." It was spooky and very high concept. (view spoiler)[It felt like it was aiming at a very specific experience with a laser focus, and I liked being brought into that experience so fully. (hide spoiler)]

I'm halfway through Don't Blink, and I have a feeling it's building to something that will be poignant, but right now it's a bit slow and reveling in something that isn't my bailiwick, so it's harder to feel engaged.

[Hillary]

Ever since reading her collection How the World Became Quiet: Myths of the Past, Present, and Future, I've considered Swirsky a short story master, and it shows in "Reluctant Jew," which I think has some of the most engaging prose in the anthology. It was definitely fun, and it did engage with some issues of Jewish identity, but I don't think it had as much depth as some of the stories that seemed to try to engage philosophically or theologically on a deeper level.

"To Serve ... Breakfast" was my least favorite piece in the collection, mainly because I disliked the narrator so much. It reminded of many other novels, esp. litfic, with similar middle-aged male professor narrators, most of which I also dislike.

[Hillary]

Hmmm, may have more to say about "The Farm" (view spoiler)[ but I found the image of the carnivorous braids to be super-creepy (hide spoiler)]

[Jordan]

Huh, realized I hadn't posted here since I finished the book. Overall I really loved it. I think there was definitely some stuff that went over my head, both that I noticed and some that I probably didn't notice, but it was enjoyable despite that. I'm definitely thinking about giving Jews versus Zombies a try after this.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Finished! I also enjoyed this quite a bit. The Farm and Reluctant Jew were two of my favorites.