The Finkler question

In general, the book was not well received. A couple people appreciated the glimpse into British Jewish culture, or the finely drawn female characters standing in the background. But the major characters were nebbishes, and it was difficult to sympathize with them. There were funny bits in the book, but the jokes tended to be drawn out too long.

Any review of The Finkler Question is required to make at least a passing reference to Woody Allen, so I'd like to say that the first half of this book is like Annie Hall-era Woody Allen. Funny, engaging, a pitch-perfect work. The second half of the book, however, is more like Everyone Says I Love You Woody Allen. Flawed, not as fun, and it makes you feel sort of uncomfortable finding young Natalie Portman so attractive.