Rating: 
Summary: wonderful book by the best new writer
Review: This book is a true work of art. It is so much more inventive and courageous than anything else that was published this year, and also so much more funny and sad. It isn't easy, but that's because it is trying to do so much. And since when did books have to be easy? I haven't had so much fun reading a book in years. I'm getting this for everyone for the holidays.
Rating:
Summary: A very original and incredible work
Review: This book kinda reminds me of the type of thing Heller or Vonnegut might write. There are certainly serious themes tackled, such as war, unrequited love, and the holocaust, in this book. Yet it quite simply is funny as all ... The Ukranian half-baked translator is one of the most original characters in all of modern literature. The dialogue is very contemporary and the conversations & correspondance between Jonathan and the Ukranians was both very believable, and because of that, outrageously funny. The story itself is extremely dreamy and magical in many ways, but its told in a very modern style and it flows beautifully.I think this book will especially appeal to young-minded folks who have given up on finding meaningfull literature that can both make them think and laugh. I read the book and loved it. Then I listened to the audio version in my car and I laughed so hard sometimes I had to pull over.
Rating: 
Summary: An incredibly original talent
Review: JSF is an incredibly original, imaginative and funny author. I would not describe this book as a Holocaust book, in fact, I don't know how to describe in the amount of space I have here. But if you're looking for a thoughtful, unique and hysterical read, pick this one up.
Rating:
Summary: best book ever
Review: read this book
write john a letter
read the book again
give it to all your friends.
I think Spike jones could do a good movie out of this. Or maybe wes anderson?
Rating:
Summary: read this book
Review: this book is positively fantastic! foer writes with great humor and style, but more impressive is his amazing insight. This is such an ambitious book in every way. I can't believe it didn't win the national book award!
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: I'm almost done with this novel, and just found out the book won the Guardian award in the UK, which is a big deal there. I wanted to write to my fellow readers then and tell them how great this book, that they should run out and read it. You won't have more fun reading a novel in a long, long while. The book is funny, sad, and more than anything very smart, while also being incredibly entertaining. It will challenge you as a reader, but you will be barely notice the complexities because they are wrapped up in such good wild crazy fun. It's a brilliant book, and Jonathan Safran Foer is certainly one of the best young writers out there. He's one to keep an eye on. READ THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT
Review: For all of those who lack the dicipline to read a novel that uses language so effectively, this book is terrible. To those of us who enjoy the challenge of a novel that is complex in it's narritive, and developes haunting and beautiful images of love and family, this book is absolutely outstanding. I eagerly await Foer's next work. He is his generations's Tom Wolfe.
Rating: 
Summary: the definition of overrated
Review: there are lots of things wrong with this book but the funniest thing was the New York Times Book Review that quoted the main characters mangled english, a paragraph's worth, as an example of how funny and brilliant it was. it was not funny. it was not brilliant. it was embarrassing.
Rating:
Summary: Sour grapes -- this is a great book!
Review: It's so absurd when people judge a book by the attention it and the author got, and not by what they read. That's true in both directions, if the book was panned or praised, and as a reader you only respond *against* that. Clearly, looking over some of the Amazon.com commenets, that's the case here. Lots of sour grapes. The fact is that any one reading this book closely, putting some effort into a complex but entertaining novel, will see that it is brilliant. There may be parts here and there that are over the top, a little too precious, but to deny that Jonathan Safran Foer is amazingly talented is pure blindess and cowardness. Think for yourself! Read the book. It's one of the best first novels I've read in years. And it's one of the most moving and intelligent novels I've read in a long time, too. Foer doesn't pander to the reader. He respects the reader, takes risks, entertains but also provokes him or her to think. God forbid one should have to think! I highly recommend you read this book for yourself. It's a unique experience, one that will linger with you for a long time after you finish reading.
Rating:
Summary: Read this before buying it.
Review: If ever there was a book to get from the library before laying out money it is this one. I was bowled over by all the high praise this book got. But since I tend to distrust critics I got this from the library. So I read it and it was everything I could do to finish it. It is not interesting and deals in such dark images that it should not be read late at night or nightmares will surely result. It is loaded with inacuraces as well. Of all the characters in the book the most likeable is a dog. For sure there will be many who would beg to differ. But if you like your books uplifting steer clear of this.
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