
The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family
by Joshua Cohen
Approximately 242 pages
A campus visit becomes an unruly historical comedy, driven by argument, embarrassment, and a deliberately abrasive clash of personalities.
Difficulty
Challenging
Pace
Medium
Mood
comic, abrasive
Book club
High
Is this book for you?
Read this if you enjoy
- readers of intellectual comedy
- fans of campus novels
Consider another book if
- abrasive characters are exhausting
- you prefer a straightforward domestic plot
What it is about
"The Netanyahus" is a fictional narrative centered around a fictionalized version of the Netanyahu family. The story is set in the early 1980s at a small college in upstate New York. The protagonist, a Jewish professor named Ruben Blum, becomes entangled with the Netanyahus during their visit.
The family is in the U. S. as the father, Benzion, seeks a teaching position.
Tensions arise from cultural clashes and political discussions. The novel explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and the immigrant experience. It reflects on the complexities of Jewish life in America.
The narrative combines humor with serious undertones. Characters grapple with their heritage and personal aspirations. Ultimately, the book examines the interplay between personal and political histories.
Award recognition
2022 winner
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
United States
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