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Comments (21)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 21 of 21 items
May 26, 2023JCLMattC rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This was a lot. It took me a while to get into the pacing and at first I felt the writing was very full of itself, but after a while, I became interested, even transfixed.
Apr 06, 2023JeffWood2 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
This book got rave reviews from the critics, but it is a hard read. If you're into enjoyable, relaxing reads, you might want to look elsewhere...
Dec 24, 2021LindNor11 rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
The book is a mismash of different story lines and weak characters, all shallow and poorly developed. Not sure how it ever got published. Dear reader, there are so many better books to choose from. Keep looking.
Aug 18, 2018eappelbaum rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This is a great book. I interpret the title as casting light on the Holocaust. There are other references to light, like the bronzed corpse with a disk serving as a sun dial. The book is fantastic, funny, tragic, and insightful. Some…
Feb 17, 2018lw_10 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Super confusing book. I found it really hard to follow.
Jun 08, 2017
This playaway did not alloy me to listen the last chapers. Im disappointed that I couldn't finish this story.
Sep 01, 2016elizali rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Recently re-read this book after loving it as a young adult. The writing is still very poignant but less striking than it was 10 years ago. This book strikes an interesting balance between fiction/nonfiction storytelling styles and…
Dec 11, 2015lukasevansherman rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
I have a passionate, possibly irrational hatred of this book. Here's Triumph the Insult Dog's review: "Everything is illuminated. . .for me to poop on!"
Jun 15, 2015lizstabler rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved this book! If you've seen and liked the movie, the book is ten times better (as they usually are). Start reading the book in a Ukrainian accent. It makes it much more enjoyable :)
Jun 14, 2015
This book is very different than you think it would be! It will make you laugh out loud at times and cry at times! Worth checking out!
Dec 20, 2014Chapel_Hill_KenMc rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Foer's complex novel is an admirable achievement in tackling themes of memory and complicity in the Holocaust. But his attempt to synthesize two very different styles, each written by a different character--one of whom is Foer…
Oct 29, 2013lukasevansherman rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
I have a passionate, possibly irrational hatred of this book. Here's Triumph the Insult Dog's review: "Everything is illuminated. . .for me to poop on!"
brianreynolds
Sep 05, 2013brianreynolds rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
The quest for a person's family history contains within it both a curiosity and a vanity that I have never fully understood or appreciated. That said, Jonathan Safran Foer's debut novel <i>Everything Is Illuminated</i> appealed to me…
Sep 02, 2013
I checked out this book because of the delightful movie starring Eugene Hutz and Elijah Wood. Sadly the book is *nothing* like the movie. It's just some pretentious git trying to make some kind of "art" book that has a 10 year old boy…
Jan 08, 2012jbeckber rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I was extremely excited about this book and I laughed heartily at the prologue where the Ukranian translator introduces himself. The translator's parts recount the author's arrival in Ukraine (apparently "The Ukraine" is not what we should…
Sep 24, 2011rpawlick rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Started out on a more light hearted, comic note. Ended in disturbing details about the Nazi war and the atrocities that occurred not only in Germany, but also in Poland and other areas of Europe. Difficult to read right before bed!
SisterMadly
Feb 01, 2011SisterMadly rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I had an interesting experience with this book. I actively tried to stop reading it as I was finding the characters really annoying at first. But I kept picking it up again. Finally I reached a point where I couldn't put it down. Now I…
Oct 09, 2010macierules rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
some very amusing moments, but overall really a disappointment to me.
Apr 15, 2010redwallflower rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Not my cup of tea at all...
Dec 17, 2008vickiz rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Jonathan Safran Foer has a gift for unique, unforgettable narrative voices. Amongst the multiple generations fighting to survive oppression and war on many fronts, there are innumerable vivid scenes and characters.
Jun 28, 2008Dani rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
Quirky, but pretentious.