Yiddish Policemen's Union

I don't know whether the black hats will thank Chabon for bringing them to a life I did not know they had. Whether possible or not it left me wondering about their real relationship with the world.

He played out the parallel universe brilliantly, though it was a shame he had to contort his parallel universe to sharply jab into our own by including the influence of the American neo-cons. But, don't let my insignificant dig detract from the book; I have already recommended it in the non virtual world.

I have been dying to read this and just started yesterday. Now I am extra excited to dig right in!

Israel has been lost to the neighbouring states in 1948. Jews have been resettled to Alaska,
but given only 60 years before the land is given back to America. This book is set at the end
of that period - 2 months to go. As many of the characters say, "It's a funny time to be a Jew."

The novel opens with Landsman, a cop, down and out, living in a flea-pit hotel, being disturbed
with the news that there has been a murder in a room on his corridor. He starts his investigation....

What is brilliant about Chabon is that he makes you care about the characters. I wanted good
things to happen to Landsman, I wanted it to work out right.

What is also brilliant is the narrative verve. The plot crackles along.

But what is most brilliant, is that Chabon had me believing in this place Sitka, it's foggy streets,
its police station in mobile cabins, the cafes, donut shops, and all the characters that inhabit
it. It is a complete and fascinating world. I loved all the back stories - the woman at the pie
shop at the airport, the donut man, the dentist.

Oh and if all this doesn't win you over this book has more beards in it than any book you will
ever read. Every character is described - someone in this description is a quick precis of their
beard.

Completely fab!!!!