“I’m glad I read this debut prize winning novel.
Here Filer creates the voice of Matt who after the death of his brother is plagued with mental illness, at times it is hugely sad, but never depressing, other times light and funny.
Isn’t it good when the judges of a literary prize are bold and choose something different and refreshingly written. I wonder what his next book will be like?
Score 7.5/10
Date read June 2014
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“The main character and his voice annoyed me, I just couldn’t like him, perhaps this is how it is intended. I expected better, this was shortlisted and tipped to win the Booker (it didn’t).
Within a few days a communal village set around the middle ages falls apart. Also read as our book club and the group scored it 5.75/10
Score 4/10
Date read December 2013
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“I’m recommending this one. It begins as a black comedy but moves on once it has your attention. The two brothers lives almost switch over and ultimately this is a very good novel where second chances are given and goodness shines through. The middle gets a little weird but the author pulls it back and finishes everything off nicely.
Our book group average is 6/10
Score 7/10
Date read September 2013
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“A collection of short stories which has some great reviews on the cover by Dave Eggers and Jonathan Safron Foer, both authors I enjoy and respect.
But having read the first two stories and 70 pages I’ve given up.
A very Jewish writer and not for me, but that’s literature, try it for yourself and tell me what you think
Score 3/10
Date read August 2013
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