Rabbi of Lud (American Literature)

The novel settled me in for a day's worth of delightful chuckles. The laughs never reached loud and boistrous but were always simmering around the edges. I wanted to share it immediately with a couple of friends. I look forward to reading other Elkin readings. Another Jewish novel that leads me to want to read more about this ancient culture.

I read this funny and touching book years ago, when it came out. It's a great introduction to a brilliant but sometimes difficult comic novelist--aside from Criers & Kibitizers, perhaps, this is his most accessible work. The mensch at the heart of the story, formerly the chief rabbi of the Alaskan pipeline project, is a joy to be around, and every scene is deft and vividly imagined. Spend a little time with the rabbi of Lud, you won't regret it.

New Jersey to Alaska and back. A novel with surprising turns and twists and delightfully bizarre characters. Elkin exposes our humanness with abandon.

gift, didn't read, came as advertised or better

Yes, it's uneven, but what a wonderful, wild, funny book. Probably helps to be Jewish, which I am not, but I loved it anyway. delightful