In the Image

So good. Talks about impacts of Holocaust on generations that follow.

This is a fantastic book; I would recommend it to anyone: Jew, gentile, and in-between.The story lines are great, especially those set in modern times; I think that some of the scenes in the book will resonate strongly with (and amuse!) anyone who has had contact with the religious Jewish community. (I especially got a kick out of the use of the term "Mad Hatter" to describe a formerly non-religious Jewish boy who turns deeply religious later in life.) The balance between seriousness and glibness is struck perfectly.What I found most impressive about this book was its accessibility. It is a really cleverly-written book with many layers (with all kinds of references to stories and ideas from the Bible and Jewish tradition... and I'm sure there are many that I missed), yet it is not pretentious at all. This is rare and very refreshing. Horn is able to write a great book without resorting to making her writing purposefully obscure or weird; this quality truly distinguishes _In the Image_.

I must say, in the absence of overzealous marketing, I simply did not know to expect so much from this outstanding debut. (This book thankfully does not seem to have fallen victim to the overhyped and often misleading marketing campaigns so typical of young debut novelists.) But it deserves all the attention and praise of the year's "hot new fiction," and then some. I was stunned by this young author's ability to apply her real wisdom and appreciation for history, culture, and literature, to an engrossing story that flows across generations and continents. Every line seems imbedded with literary or philosophical meaning that becomes palpable as you near the second half of the book, culminating in two final chapters that are shocking in their originality of style and substance. It is a story that will speak to anyone, whether young or old, Jewish or not, someone out for a "literary" experience, or someone just looking for an enjoyable book that leaves you with many things to think about even as it entertains with its mysteries of character and faith. The layers of the story make this a book you can enjoy again and again as you reread it (I am halfway through my second reading). One criticism, though, is that it takes until about the third chapter for the author's full momentum to get going. But once you realize how the chapters start inter-connecting, the effect is staggering, sort of like a mystery you didn't realize was being woven all around you. Going back to re-read all the things you miss on the first pass feels like a guilty pleasure. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

The last year has seen a spate of first novels by Jewish -- and, more importantly, Jewishly aware -- authors... "In the Image" is... a phenomenal read. Any student of Yiddish literature will recognize deliberately traced patterns of Singer, Peretz, Sforim and other giants of the Yiddish canon throughout what proves to be a carefully crafted, deeply thoughtful meditation on identity and meaning in modern life. This is not to say that one has to be a Yiddishist to appreciate it as a work of art: "In the Image" is the beautiful, well-written and closely felt statement of a brilliant mind. Make no mistake: its relative lack of flattering press clippings notwithstanding (and it is encouraging to note that those publications that have reviewed this book have done so in the most positive, enthusiastic fashion imaginable), this is the best work of Jewish-themed fiction -- one might even say the best work of fiction, period -- by a new author in years... Dara Horn has genuine talent and evidences an equally genuine passion for the written word. I look forward to following her career as it develops.

This novel is filled with Jewish characters, history and traditions, but will resonate with both Jews and non-Jews. "In the Image" deals with universal themes about fitting in and growing up, finding love, forgiving our elders for their mistakes, the importance and restrictions of religious traditions and how our past shapes our future. This novel will appeal to the college student, looking for an entertaining and meaningful story for a leisurely read, as much as to the philosopher questioning religion. There are so many levels on which the reader can appreciate this novel - from the unexpected plot twists and romantic love story to the philosophical views about the role of God in our daily lives. The book is beautifully written with symbols and images that recur throughout the text. Horn has an impressive eye for detail and meaning, which is profound and refreshingly down to earth. She also shows her worldliness and depth of experience, which is rare in someone so young.As the reader turns the pages, she finds herself exclaiming appreciatively, "Yes! I have also felt that way and noticed that, but I never would have been able to express it so well!" I can't wait for Dara Horn's next novel!