Another masterpiece by Ben Katchor.

Well, what a waste of time. The illustrations aren't too shabby, yet way too stereotypical in their portray of the Jewish community and the story was extremely dull. Would not recommend this book to anyone, rather get new graphic novels and have a blast with'em. ( )

Typically surreal graphic novel by Katchor. According to Wikipedia, "inspired by Mordecai Manuel Noah's attempt to establish a Jewish homeland in Grand Island, New York in the 1820s." I like the drawings and the story.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mordecai_Manuel_Noah ( )

Boring. ( )

When you think of the Jew of New York, (the title of a graphic novel by Ben Katchor) who pops to mind, Seinfeld maybe, Woody Allen, Andy Kaufman, or some earlier comedic talent such as Lenny Bruce? I bet you don't picture Shoykhet Nathan Kishon, politician and playwright Mordecai Noah, Moishe Ketzelbourd, a babtized beaver trapper, Abel Marah, a slightly sinister importer of phylacteries, or button merchant Isaac Azaraelor, just to name a few of the eccentric characters that populate an alternative New York circa 1825. For a graphic novel, the story is not that easy to follow. Many of the Jews are hard to distinguish from each other, a devise that may in fact be intentional, since the story deals explicitly with anti-Semitism (Marah's physiognomy is the stereotypical beady eyed, hook-nosed Jew). Other themes are a country and people in flux, retaining traditions but also assimilating to this new frontier. It's a strange place and a bit of a trip, but definitely worth taking. ( )