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The Golem of Brooklyn
2024 Poll Winners
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2024/5 Discussion site for Adam Mansbach's The Golem of Brooklyn--POLL WINNER
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Jan
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rated it 4 stars
Apr 26, 2024 03:38PM
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I had so been looking forward to this one and I was disappointed. I didn't find it funny. I found it crass. And bumbling. And not for nothing, I am not reading this 2023 book out of nowhere. We are in the midst of a crisis, but not one for which a golem, or bumbling aggression would be remotely helpful. So what is our modern day response? It had to be one with intellect and compassion and thoughtfulness and extension to others and the world. Everything a golem is not. I have always loved the idea of the golem. But right now, I am looking for real life leaders and complex thoughtful characters who have a sense of what's called for. Thank God I read this in under an hour. It deserved less of my time and thought than that. Not even sure it deserves the time it takes to reflect on the book and try to write a cogent thoughtful review.
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And not for nothing, I am not reading this 2023 book out of nowhere. We a..."
Oh, phooey! That often happens to me, too, Amy. I mean the part about a book that's supposed to be funny and isn't. I had that reaction to Joshua Cohen's Pulitzer Prize winning The Netanyahus. Well, I have it waiting and at least you've forewarned me against a sudden let-down.
I have to say that I am half-way through and struggling. I don't find the writing particularly good or interesting and I agree with the folks above. I doubt I'll finish this as due to my lack of time, what I have can be spent reading things that are on point for today as I am extremely troubled by the times and have been reading a great deal in the Israeli press that is worrisome. This book was too frivolous for me but I can be wrong as it is only my opinion and I admit that my wants and needs lay elsewhere.
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I persevered and finished reading. Too stupid to be offensive or thought-provoking. Just not good.
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And I guess I'm not the only one, since it won our poll!
Maybe it's a guy thing?
Still going to try, but it'll be a while.
Anybody out there like it?
I was one who voted for it. I hadn't read it but thought it sounded interesting. Sometimes you win and lose at the same time!
I voted for it too. Was totally psyched.
I had read the reviews and so didn't vote for it. I had hoped it would be good and I could choose it for my synagogue book group but was disappointed
Oh dear, I'm still on another book so haven't started this one yet. Sounds disappointing.
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I already had a political issue with the book's author. After a book presentation by him, I got to ask a question. He'd said in this book the golem found its mission in going after right-wing antisemites. So my question was whether he planned a sequel in which the golem goes after antisemites from the left. He said no, since antisemitism from the right was at the core of the far right while antisemitism from the left was superficial and not essential to the ideology. Something like that. This represents the thinking of Eric Ward, and sure enough Adam Mansbach and Eric Ward both part of a panel in another Zoominar. (from Moment, if I'm not mistaken). (Eric Ward is the subject of a long January 2024 feature in Moment.) It's been proving harder for Jews to address antisemitism from the left, but that's not necessarily because it's more superficial.
This idea was kind of in there naturally I think this book was written in 2023 and published before the recent events. Clearly in the book, the golem says what is the crisis because the golem shows up during a crisis. And of course, we are in a crisis now, but not one where the aggression of a golem would help. I wrote this in my review, that what is called for now is education and understanding, rather than aggression. It’s one of the reasons the book is offputting.
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Or an authority figure who helps establish an environment in which civil dialogue can occur?
I don't think authority figures are always bad.
In grad school I began to learn that when I had to teach a class.
And then, of course, I had children. 😵💫
I agree with Amy. It was very disappointing. I even tried to return it and get my credit back 😊. I disliked all the characters. It wasn’t funny and the actual crises is laughable. Very WOKE golem for my taste.
I am almost halfway through it. Trying to see where it is going. When I am done with this book, would like to read Moderator's Choice (already know Kurt V. is an awesome novelist.
Was it the most thought provoking book? No - Very hipster-like-But enjoyed it for what it was - a simple answer to a very complex and heartbreaking issue. I had just finished -The WOrld We Knew by Alice Hoffman - (one of my favorite authors) of a Golem in WWII - Much better
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Same. I’m always happy to see someone have a different and refreshing take on it.
Finished the book yesterday. Very disappointed. It seems like the author had several good ideas and then didn't know what to do with them. I was also surprised that one person who plays a key part in the book (a real Jewish comedian) was now acknowledged. I kind of compared the Golem to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. As for the Golem, I see the man who gave us Young Frankenstein doing a brilliant take on The Golem (Mel Brooks is the guy I am thinking of). Frankenstein is the creator and his monster isn't some Boris Karloff guy grunting. He is erudite and a fast learner, like the Golem in The Golem of Brooklyn. Of course, with Brooks you know you are going to get jokes about big schlongs (is that the right word).
Finally, when you read a first book by an author, you want to read more. Not interested in reading another book by this author.
I started but didn't get far. Like I said in my review (below), maybe the other negative reviews influenced me. In fact, I'm sure they influenced me. And I didn't get nearly as far into the book as everyone else. I used to have this thing that once I started reading a book, I was obligated to read it to the end. But at some point I discovered that I wasn't actually obligated to do any reading I didn't want to do. Life is too short and there are too many good books.My review:
It's true that I was prejudiced before I even started. I bought the book intending to read it with a reading group. But some of them started before I did and their reviews were negative. Ah, gee, I thought, maybe I've made a mistake.
The idea that I had made an error was clinched on page 1 when, describing how a friend would often bring cookies laced with THC (what is THC? I have since learned that it is an ingredient of cannibis) and that this was awesome. I have a loathing of the modern use of what was once a useful, descriptive word. All of a sudden, nothing is ordinary, everything has become awesome. When the book took off talking about epigenetics, I decided that this book was simply too awesome for me and on page 6, I closed it.
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this book. It seems that this is one of our few poll winners
(based on 56 votes and won with 42% ) that perhaps wasn't a hit. Since Im not a "golem" reader, I perused some general reviews to see what I may have missed if I had read it.
Dvora, I understand too well what you are saying in what you write and must agree with Jan's cute comment.
There was a comment I extrapolated from a general review that makes a point to me although I cant judge on the line "hysterical funny book"
"Eventually the golem wreaks havoc on an anti -Semitic rally, and that is when what had been an hysterically funny book becomes a warning for today. Anti- Semitism and all other kinds of hatred’ towards “the other” is on the rise and we need to be aware of it and stop it in its tracks."
Curious if this point was picked up at the beginning of the book or assumed that is the purpose of golems, assuming they arent on drugs. :)
Sorry to hear some people didn’t like it! I understand, though, and appreciated reading all of your comments :)I personally loved the book, I thought it was funny and thoughtful. Also I admit I’m giving bonus points for Jewish and queer representation. Especially right now where I feel pushed out of the queer community due to all the antisemitism there, seeing a lesbian Jew speaking Yiddish was great!
There were parts where I was laughing out loud! The little one liners and banters got me I think. I also really liked the conflict (spoilers ahead) with Miri, Len, and Golem at the antisemitic march. I kinda thought it was gonna wrap up with a bow like “this is what’s right and wrong” but it left us to choose for ourselves, which I found difficult. But thats Judaism huh!
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I personally loved the book, I thought it was funny and thoughtful. Also I admit I’m..."
Glad you loved the book Hammi. We are happy when a winning book is right for the reader.
I have seen mixed reviews, but all that matters is that you read a book you totally enjoyed. One can see that in your post!!!
Sorry I didn't join in with everyone else but plan to read it this month!
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Dont be sorry-
You have been reading so many books that were before this one.
Chani wrote: "Sorry to hear some people didn’t like it! I understand, though, and appreciated reading all of your comments :)I personally loved the book, I thought it was funny and thoughtful. Also I admit I’m..."
Gosh. I wonder if I should go back and take another look. I read very few pages....
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I personally loved the book, I thought it was funny and thoughtful. Al..."
Dvora,
Sometimes it happens. We all have our own way to measure a book in hopes it will catch us. For me depending on it's length, I used to give it 50 pages. But I really knew way before . Now I give a book 25-30 pages before I close a book. I dont want to struggle reading books. Too many great books out there.
True, but I was put off by the use of the word awesome on the first page and stopped reading on page 7. Then again, there are a lot of other books that I would probably enjoy a lot more. So many I'll leave it in the giveaway pile.
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I didnt read the book so I cant comment. I can say that if you were put off from the first page and read 6 more pages-
you knew -it was not going to be for you. I hope your next book gives you enjoyment!!!
Honestly I thought it got funnier in the second half, but that being said you may or may not like it still! I wouldn’t call it a perfect book but it had its moments :)
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Its what you remember about a book that counts! :)
I enjoyed reading this. The irreverent and sometimes crude humor is not what I usually read and if you don't like such humor you surely won't like this book but perhaps it hit me at the right time. It has some misses as any "humorous" book will but has more hits - the Zoom meeting with Larry David in particular had me laughing out loud.I thought it was also pretty clear in the end that the way of the golem, so to speak, is ultimately inappropriate in a consideration of both survival and tikkun olam in the current day. The disagreement between Miri and Len on this was a serious way to end a comic novel and while Mansbach doesn't write "this way is right and this way is wrong", the golem IS turned back into mere clay...
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Thank you, Lee. Useful comment I think. I'm trying to refrain from comments until I actually begin reading...but who knows, may not refrain that long. 😅
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Lee,
Thank you for this post. Ah yes, timing is everything :)
Having not read this, I was caught in a curious way by your sentence:
"I thought it was also pretty clear in the end that the way of the golem, so to speak, is ultimately inappropriate in a consideration of both survival and tikkun olam in the current day."
Its difficult to ask a question when I dont know the story, but I keyed in on your word "inappropriate" .
Was the author suggesting the reader make their own moral opinion re the golem, or was it made obvious the golem chose to become involved in an issue that wasn't his to battle?
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Jan, we were both writing again at the same time.
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Stacey B wrote: "Was the author suggesting the reader make their own moral opinion re the golem, or was it made obvious the golem chose to become involved in an issue that wasn't his to battle?"Mansbach has the two main characters disagreeing at the end over the golem's intention to carry out a rampaging massacre of any and all antisemites. One says if we kill everyone who hates us we'll be safe but no longer be Jews, the other argues it is allowed; the first says it violates the duty to repair the world, and the second argues that maybe it is in fact part of repairing the world. They disagree "lovingly" in the passage.
So Mansbach does apparently leave it up to the reader to choose which perspective, but I think he's pressing his thumb on the scale to suggest such violence is not appropriate.
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M..."
Lee, thank you.
Terrific response . Ha, Im glad Im not on that committee!! :)
Lee-you hit the nail on the head! I totally agree with your review. I also found this book funny and irreverent, but sometimes the humor "missed". I found myself questioning the ending. I wasn't entirely sure that it was left up to me to decide who was right, but I wasn't entirely sure that the author made a definitive conclusion about right/wrong.
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For me bad writing is like the omniscient narrator using "guffaw" more than once in the same book, or the book I'm thinking of in which a lank lock of hair falls across two different characters' foreheads on the same page -- crying out for an editor, or, yes, misspellings or misusing words. For me that's bad writing. Or Danielle Steel: soap opera on the page.
So this book for me isn't bad writing. And whether he keeps his hold on me? I'll find out.
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I also found the book disappointing. Mansbach raises some intriguing questions, but does not seem interested in exploring them in a meaningful way. For example, is the whole concept of a Golem as protector of the Jewish people still relevant after the Shoah and after the creation of the State of Israel? The novel depicts the Brooklyn Golem as being unsuccessful in defending the Jews during the Shoah, but the repercussions of that failure are not clarified. The concept of the Golem seems to me to be a distinctly Medieval idea rooted in the powerlessness of Diaspora Jewry over the last 2,000 years--but is the Golem still a compelling fantasy now that we have one of the most powerful armies in the world (putting aside the mistakes that may have led to October 7)? To a certain extent, the Golem should no longer seize the imaginations of contemporary Jews, and yet we see that it does, based on the number of books that are published that feature Golems of one sort or another. I would have liked to see the novel address some of these themes.
I think Mansbach was just trying to write a comedy, which is why the book sometimes goes off on completely unrelated episodes - he’s trying to insert more funny material - and why it doesn’t really explore serious questions about the relevance of old ideas like the Golem until the last couple of pages and he’s wrapping things up. For a work of literary fiction these characteristics of the novel would certainly both be failures, but, it isn’t that. To judge the novel on its terms - did it make you laugh?The contemporary appeal of the Golem is surely a rich question, though! In literature, maybe it’s a Jewish contribution to magical realism, a popular genre.
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As to whether we need a golem, I'm thinking we could all fantasize about a powerful protector, maybe like a big brother. As the oldest, I never had one of those! ...And I still need to go finish, before I have too much fun with the comments.
I do see a golem-themed book is coming out that, in my case, has local interest going for it. It is called The Curators, by Maggie Nye, and deals with the Leo Frank case. I'm probably going to get it. :)
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I have laughed at points but not when he gets... maybe forced is the right term. Or campy.
Now I better go read some more and see if I still agree with myself!
These are all thought provoking comments! With respect to the point that the novel is first and foremost a comic novel, I think that a novel can be laugh-out-loud funny and still address serious, mind-bending topics. Some examples are Catch 22; Slaughterhouse Five; Catcher in the Rye. I think Jewish writers are masters of this type of fiction: the Tevye stories;, Gimpel the Fool; Everything is Illuminated; Goodbye Columbus.
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I have 100 pages left, and after that point the course is easier. But I'm still counting pages. 🙄 It's more likely with an "assigned" book but prefer when the book grabs me and pulls me along effortlessly. This one does so sometimes but not consistently.
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I ended up feeling better about the book. Unlike Lee, I don't think he necessarily sat down with the intention to write a comedy. He seems to be teaching a lot! So anyway at the end I got my wish and was pulled along rapidly and couldn't put it down without finishing last night. Where the author failed was when he did descend into slapstick or whatever. Like I really couldn't get with the part where Len and Miri flew abroad to settle the short-term rental fraud problem (earlier in the book). Or when he got stuck on a particular political ideology that hijacked the plot at points. Mostly, though, I read in amazement and appreciation, not necessarily laugh-out-loud. At the end tried to make some notes of when I did laugh out loud. One was where The Golem said Larry David reminded him of Hillel. Just juxtaposing two things unexpectedly. Other parts are just genius, like through The Golem's eyes the Witch was eating a hillel. :) (Hopefully that's not too much of a spoiler!) Not sorry I read this one.
