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A Replacement Life by Boris Fishman
I let the book A Replacement Life sit on my TBR list for far too long—years, in fact. Why? I’ll admit that in the past I have found it difficult to completely connect with humour derived from references to Jewish cultural standards since I lack first-hand experience or a thorough comprehension of the Jewish faith (apart from what I’ve learned via TV and novels, of course).
I love “tragicomedies,” and A Replacement Life is a wonderful illustration of the darker, more sombre subgenre. Fishman sets a dark yet humorous tone right away. If it isn’t already clear, word and language lovers will enjoy this book.
Since the mostly introspective tale investigates the connection between cultural and personal identity, it is not necessary to have a thorough understanding of Jewish rituals or historical migration.
Characters With Authenticity
Fishman’s elderly characters are endearing in their genuineness despite their hard edges, stern demeanors, and cunning. Readers rapidly discover, along with the narrator, that what initially appears to be black and white quickly turns into grey when real people and stories of bravery and sacrifice are involved.
This is a story about a writer who struggles to find inspiration and discovers the hard way that it can come from the most unexpected places. Although it might not always be your own tale, it is said that everyone has a story inside of them.
A Replacement Life by Boris Fishman is a deftly written literary debut that provides enough of food for thought about relationships, identity, and legacy.
About The Book
Slava Gelman, a young Russian immigrant who works as a researcher at a magazine in the New Yorker style, aspires to be a famous American author. When his grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, passes away, his grandfather approaches him and begs him to help him fabricate some Holocaust reparations claims.
Slava first objects, but later his semi-fictional accounts prove to be some of his best work. Slava is prepared to play a role that is almost heroic by the time he is finally confronted by a German government worker, despite the fact that he continues to stumble from tragicomic episode to tragicomic incident out of dread of detection.
The Review
A Replacement Life
9.5 Score
This novel had me from the first page. The syntax, the diction, the awkwardness of idioms and figurative language--all suggest how Slava is struggling in a strange new world. The novel took me into the world of Slava's grandfather, a fully realized, complicated character, who lies in order to live. Slava's relationship with his grandfather forces Slava to face his own place in America, as does Slava's relationships with the two romantic interests in the novel--Arianna and Vera.
PROS
- Big Questions, Great Story.
- An Ambivalent Romance Story.
- Jewish American Literature.
- Smart And Accessible.
CONS
- Very Tedious Reading.
- Poorly Written.
- Incomprehensible.
- Poor Development Of Characters.
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