'The Yiddish Policemen's Union' takes place in Sitka, Alaska in an alternate version of history in which Jews from Nazi Europe are granted asylum in Sitka. As a result of this there are only two million deaths of Jews in the Holocaust, as opposed to the estimated six million in reality. The plot revolves around the murder of Mendel Spilman, the supposed Messiah for the Jewish people. Meyer Landsman, the novel's main character investigates this murder throughout the course of the book. This is not a typical 'who done it' book, but it is a mystery with a conclusion that, itself, ends up being quite convoluted.
The overall plot of the novel is a little too complicated. Granted, it is a mystery novel, which usually is not my taste, but I think there is sometimes far too much going on to really enjoy the plot of the book. There are a lot of characters and sub-plots to remember, making it difficult, sometimes, to keep up with the main plot of the book, who killed Spilman and why? At times the rich plot works out well, but for the most part I found it all too much to keep straight.
I find the invasion scenario a little unlikely as well. I am referring to the idea that the United States government would back a plan in which a relatively small group of ultra-conservative Jews would invade the Holy Land and depose the millions of Arabs (who know a thing or two about holding off invaders) currently living there. I do not doubt that the United States would do something to that effect, only that they would do so with a very low chance of success.
The idea of Messiah is widely discussed in the book. The idea behind the invasion of the Holy Land is to hasten the coming of the Messiah. This is sad in the sense that it shows the Jews (of this novel, at least) have given up hope that the Messiah will come. This highlights, I think, the suffering the Jewish people have endured over the centuries. They have suffered so much that they no longer have faith in the promises God has made. Again, this refers only to the Jews in this novel. The novel highlights how the Jewish people have been pushed around and rejected to a few millenia now, and as a result of that they have no hope left. Altogether a sad commentary in and of itself.
Chabon also does a good job of showing the tension that sometimes exists between two cultural groups, in this case the Jews and the Tligit people (Alaskan Indians). The Jews think the land is theirs, the Tligit feel the same way. There is tension between the two groups who are both fighting to find, and keep, their place in the world. Both groups have been kicked out of their homes and resent anyone coming into the land they actually do have. The difference in culture, obviously, plays a role, but more than anything it is the fact that they both are looking for a home to call their own.
Landsman is a fascinating character. In one sense he is trying to escape everything around him. Through his drinking, leaving his wife, and rejecting the Jewish faith, he can be seen as trying to get away from it all. The ironic thing, though, is that he cannot. He tries to escape the guilt he feels about the loss of his child, but continually finds himself at his best friend's house, who has two children with one on the way. He tries to escape his ex-wife only to have her become his commanding officer. He tries to escape the conservative Jews living in Sitka only to find himself surrounded by them as he investigates the murder of Mendel Spliman. In a sense, I think Chabon is telling us no matter how hard we try we cannot fully escape the things from which we want to escape. They remain with us, or near us.
The conclusion, I think, has something to be desired. Spilman's killer is Landsman's uncle, Hertz. Hertz killed Spilman because he did not want him to be exploited as the supposed Messiah. He does this with Spilman's consent. Meanwhile, the plan to invade the Holy Land begins and, so far, is working. Both 'payoffs' did not quite do it for me. Spilman has gone into hiding and could do so again. We are told he is tired of hiding, but I feel like hiding is preferable to death. And, again, I find myself doubting the validity of the 'invasion plan.'
Despite the end, though I think this is a very enjoyable read. It has humor, but also has the mysterious aspect, enough of which to engage the reader. Chabon, who also wrote 'The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay,' is a very talented author who has a knack for making the reader want more.
No comments:
Post a Comment