Publisher: FSG Originals
Publication Date: English translation March 27, 2012
Pages: 208
Who will read it: (young adults and up) Quirky people; people interested in everyday Israeli life with a hint of surrealism
Rating: 4.5/5
Buy: Amazon / Barnes&Noble
Official Synopsis: Bringing up a child, lying to the boss, placing an order in a fast-food restaurant: in Etgar Keret’s new collection, daily life is complicated, dangerous, and full of yearning. In his most playful and most mature work yet, the living and the dead, silent children and talking animals, dreams and waking life coexist in an uneasy world. Overflowing with absurdity, humor, sadness, and compassion, the tales in Suddenly, a Knock on the Door establish Etgar Keret—declared a “genius” by The New York Times—as one of the most original writers of his generation.
My Review
Plot: The first pages immediately stand out as a writer is held to the barrel of a gun and forced to tell his captors a story lest he be shot and killed. It’s really readable for a book that’s about one of the most confusing topics known to humankind: the desires and wishes of those around us. As the characters manipulate their own feelings and those of others, the reader begins to really understand how engrossed people become when so close to achieving their dreams.
When each character struggled with his/her daily responsibilities and oppressive circumstances, the characters came alive. It’s not the typical magic I like to read about, where the characters get powers and save the world, but rather the magic of chance and hope that brings people together at just the moment they might need each other the most. Each story had enough of a driving force behind it to keep me reading and wanting to see what would happen next.
Characters: N/A
Relationships/ Romance: Romance is infused throughout the story, mostly as family. As much as we refuse to admit it, our families play a huge role in how we think and act. Many of the stories portray an imbalance between husband and wife, leading to chaos with children or simple nostalgia for a life long gone. Although family is mostly the source of conflict, the catharsis that comes with dealing with a problem a character has been facing for a number of years, just adds to the smooth transitions of the story without coming off as too saccharine.
Writing Style: The very blurry line between reality and magic was expressed through stunning imagery. I enjoyed the prose and word-choice over all. While the language was plain, the words flowed in a refined manner. The characters’ respective point of views stood out as genuine and relatable.
Best lines/Favorite part: That’s what I have in my pockets. A chance not to screw up. A slight chance…A tiny chance, let’s say, that when happiness comes along, I can say yes to it, and not, “Sorry, I don’t have a cigarette/toothpick/coin for the soda machine.” That’s what I have there, full and bulging, a tony chance of saying yes and not being sorry.
(“What Do We Have in Our Pockets?” 88)
Ending: This is a standalone collection of short stories, so the ending is the ending of each story. It ends very satisfyingly and was well done. The last story wrapped up without feeling too tidy or unfinished.
The Star-worthy Aspects: Etgar Keret writes a novel that will leave you feeling like dreams might actually be achieved, and weaves a story that feels like magic. The characters are believable and well written and the plot moves at a good pace. Even with only two pages, Keret writes a wealth of information.
The Deficiencies: Each story was a thought process in itself, but certain short stories did not seem as interesting as others or were too short to really ponder or assess critically. However, overall the shorter and longer stories were well-balanced throughout.
Rating and Closing Remarks: I laughed a few times, and my heart was definitely feeling things the entire time. An amazing journey, yet many stories are rather forgettable or throw-away. Some of the language may not be appropriate for younger readers. All in all, the book earned a 4.5/5 from me.
#Bonus Points: Josh Radnor, the actor who plays Ted Mosby on How I Met Your Mother, read “Upgrade” for the “Suddenly, a Knock on the Door” audiobook, which you can listen to here. “What Do We Have in Our Pockets” was made into a beautiful video that debuted at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival which can be viewed on youtube here.
If you would like to find out more about Etgar Keret and his other books and films, please visit his facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EtgarKeretOfficial
-S
No comments:
Post a Comment