You can always count on Michael Chabon for a word-packed story. He's known for being a real wordsmith. But somehow he manages to create a smooth, snappy and well-paced murder mystery with his novel
The Yiddish Policemen's Union.
In this noir-ish present-day novel, Chabon develops an alternate reality where the Jews of the world have settled in Alaska after World War II and losing Israel to the Arabs. The United States has agreed to let them set up their own temporary state, but their time is about to come up and the U.S. is reclaiming the land. After 50 years of self-rule and a very Jewish- centered lifestyle, they are about to become America.
Meanwhile, hard-boiled detective Meyer Landsman is down on his luck and living in a dive hotel after loosing just about everything. He takes on one last murder case before the U.S. comes in and takes over. But he finds that this particular case is much more personal than he thought, and his sanity and maybe even his life may depend on solving it.
Full of Jewish mysticism, gangland style violence, mystery, intrigue, romance and one twist after another this is a fun and interesting read. If you like a mystery with a little more depth and density, pick up
The Yiddish Policemen's Union.
To check on the availability of this item, go the Newberg Public Library website at www.ci.newberg.or.us/library.
Reviewed by Lori Moore
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Minerva Louise is back, and this time Christmas is turned upside down by a silly chicken. Christmas lights are mistaken for dressed-up fireflies, Santa's reindeer are mistaken for goats and Christmas tree decorations are mistaken for eggs. Preschoolers will love to correct this silly chicken as she muddles through the holiday in the simply delightful way only Minerva Louise could. Find it @ your library under "E Stoeke."
