About the Author
Howard Jacobson describes himself as being Jewish in mind and having Jewish intelligence although not conventionally Jewish as he does not go to shul. He was born in Manchester, educated in Whitefield and Cambridge University . He then lectured in the University of Sidney returning to teach in Selwyn College Cambridge and subsequently at Wolverhampton Polytechnic.
The plot
The main theme of the novel is about British Jewish identify and how it fits with the Gentile population in Britain. It is also about male friendship. The scene is set at a dinner party hosted by old Libor Sevick with two close friends, a failed BBC producer Julian Treslove who is also a romantic, Sam Finkler a populist Jewish philosopher. Libor Sevick and old Czech taught them both history. Libor and Sam are recently widowerd.
Sevick finds himself alone at 90 and en-wrapped in mourning for his beloved wife, the profoundness of his grief puts the two younger men's love lives into perspective. He's a warm and likable character, who faced with the temptations f a one-time film journalist remained unfailingly faithful and happy in his little European life. Sam Finkler lost his young wife to Cancer both men's relationships in contrast to Treslove who had two sons out of three short-lived dalliances.
Treslove from whose perspective the book is written is jealous of both friends' bereavement, jealous of them having had a relationship to mourn at its ending. His failing is not being able to keep a woman long enough weighs heavily. Women were bit the only mystery to him whose perspective is the core of the book, is as jealous of his friends' bereavement as he is their success. If women are a mystery to him, then so is Finkler and his faith: Jewish becomes "Finklerish".
Treslove on hi sway home stops by a
After dinner, Treslove walks back to Regent Street. He stops outside the oldest violin dealer in the country and is mugged. The mugger a woman may or not have called him a Jew. From here on in, everything is under question.
The Review
The book when selected was chosen with enthusiasm and the group were very interested as it had recently had good reviews and was much acclaimed. It transpires that only one person read the book. He thought it was intelligently written and easy to skim read. He suggested to the members of the group to take the time to read it as it was intelligent and funny. The theme of family runs deep and it seems that Treslove sees the two men as his family. What is apparent in the book is an obsession with Jews with Jewishness by half-Jewishness and non Jewishness and an apparent anti semitism with today's society. The consistent theme is that of identify which Rob being part Jewish could relate to. He said he had to let go of this and then enjoyed it. There was an interesting discussion with agreement and disagreement with the concepts. Treslove - is he Jewish or does he want to be Jewish? Why? Is it because every one at some points wants to be part of a clique. Treslove was outdone in achievement by both men and also in pain and misery.
As so often happens, when members have not read or finished a book, there is usually a strong desire to do so after the discussion, it certainly was the case after this meeting - I wonder how many did?
Steve and Deborah's Choice: -
Bearded Tit - Rory McGrath
For Tibet with Love - Isobel Losada
We are Muslim Please - Shappi Korsandi
On the Road - Jack Carowit
The book chosen was: For Tibet with Love - Isobel Losada
Now off to the Adam and Eve.
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