Book: The Finkler Question

"The Finkler Question" by Howard Jacobson is a poignant, witty exploration of friendship, identity, and the inescapable ties of belonging. The novel centers around three central characters: Julian Treslove, a former BBC radio producer; his old school friend, Sam Finkler, a popular Jewish philosopher and television personality; and their former teacher, the elderly Czech Jew, Libor Sevcik. After an unexpected street mugging, Treslove becomes obsessed with the idea of Jewishness, seeing it as a mysterious and exotic identity he yearns to understand and possibly embrace. Through these interconnected lives, Jacobson delves into themes of love, loss, memory, and the myriad forms of personal and cultural identity. His sharp prose and humor juxtapose the weight of existential musings with the absurdity of modern life. The narrative traverses personal tragedies and societal issues, intricately balancing depth with levity. As the characters grapple with their shared past and uncertain futures, Jacobson crafts a story that is as touching as it is enlightened, offering a profound examination of what it truly means to belong.