my take: This book kinda knocked my socks off. In a strange way. The first 2/3 of the book is a fairly normal Jewish immigrant story. Okay, not so normal in that they lose their 5 year old child at Ellis Island. The last 1/3 of the book is an in your face, storm of swearing, rapper, angry tale of modern day and presumably the end of the line for the Lipshitz family tree.

We had quite the discussion at Book Chicks. Oh, and I listened to the beginning of the book in the car on a road trip with my mother. Several uncomfortable moments, there. Gah.

my source: Patty Oltean’s pick for Book Chicks; own & on the shelf for the borrowing

recommend: progressive, open-minded book clubs & readers

rating: B

genre: contemporary American