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purplemuskogee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I found this short novel incredible. It's probably technically a thriller but reads like a psychological novel, and there was so much tension, slowly building up, that I just wanted to keep reading.
Lilach is a mother to Adam, a teenager - her and her husband moved to California from Israel and have settled well, her husband working for a big tech company. Then one day, an attack on a synagogue shocks the neighbourhood. Soon after, an African American teenager, Jamal, dies at a house party. When Lilach finds out that her son Adam - who has recently started to be really into a self-defence class taught by the mysterious Uri, after the synagogue attack, was bullied by Jamal, she starts suspecting her son of murdering Jamal. Her husband thinks she is crazy. Uri gets closer and closer to the family, and antisemitic graffiti start to appear at school accusing Adam of murder.
I loved reading about Lilach's questions about her son, her memories of Israel, her discomfort about what she suspects might have happened, while Uri - handsome, clever, strong, maybe an ex-Mossad agent - lurks and immerses himself into their family life. It was well-written and felt real and interesting, and I felt stressed reading it. The ending was a real surprise but did not disappoint (although be prepared for not everything to be resolved).
It was well-written and honestly a really good story. It reminded me - although it was in many ways completely different - of The Heatwave, a French novel by Victor Jestin: completely different context but the same tension, the same anxiety, the same teenage boredom and mystery.
I really recommend this one - short but impactful.
Free copy sent by Netgalley, the book was published on 31 August 2023.
Lilach is a mother to Adam, a teenager - her and her husband moved to California from Israel and have settled well, her husband working for a big tech company. Then one day, an attack on a synagogue shocks the neighbourhood. Soon after, an African American teenager, Jamal, dies at a house party. When Lilach finds out that her son Adam - who has recently started to be really into a self-defence class taught by the mysterious Uri, after the synagogue attack, was bullied by Jamal, she starts suspecting her son of murdering Jamal. Her husband thinks she is crazy. Uri gets closer and closer to the family, and antisemitic graffiti start to appear at school accusing Adam of murder.
I loved reading about Lilach's questions about her son, her memories of Israel, her discomfort about what she suspects might have happened, while Uri - handsome, clever, strong, maybe an ex-Mossad agent - lurks and immerses himself into their family life. It was well-written and felt real and interesting, and I felt stressed reading it. The ending was a real surprise but did not disappoint (although be prepared for not everything to be resolved).
It was well-written and honestly a really good story. It reminded me - although it was in many ways completely different - of The Heatwave, a French novel by Victor Jestin: completely different context but the same tension, the same anxiety, the same teenage boredom and mystery.
I really recommend this one - short but impactful.
Free copy sent by Netgalley, the book was published on 31 August 2023.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Antisemitism
spongebobbiii's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Wolf Hunt by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen takes us on a suspenseful journey through the heart of Silicon Valley, a land of privilege and secrets. Lilach, an Israeli immigrant living a seemingly perfect life, is faced with the unthinkable when tragedy strikes close to home. Her son Adam's enrollment in a self-defense class after a harrowing attack brings him newfound confidence, but it also unravels a web of hidden connections. A tale of race, identity, and the hidden truths within families, Gundar-Goshen's signature storytelling prowess is poised to once again captivate readers.
Enjoyment ⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
Rating the enjoyment factor for this book proved challenging due to the weighty subject matter it addresses. On one hand, I found myself quite engaged and compelled to keep turning the pages. The mystery surrounding Jamal Jones's death, which is central to the story, had me hooked. Additionally, being familiar with the Silicon Valley setting added an extra layer of connection. However, certain scenes involving explicit content and the death of an animal did take away from the overall experience. The latter felt unnecessary, though this sentiment is not new – it's a sentiment I hold even for movies like John Wick! Stories involving animal death have always been a difficulty for me.
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
The book's synopsis, along with its visually appealing cover, piqued my interest from the outset. For the most part, the plot aligned with my expectations set by the synopsis. The storyline maintained a solid and well-structured trajectory.
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My feelings about the characters in "The Wolf Hunt" are relatively neutral. While I didn't form any particularly strong attachments to any character, I also didn't find any to be particularly dislikable. One notable achievement of the author was the portrayal of Uri, a character who manages to consistently evoke ambivalent emotions – oscillating between likability and suspicion.
Thought Provoking ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
Comparatively recently, I immersed myself in Les Payne's biography "The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X" earlier this year, which deepened my understanding of Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam (NOI). Interestingly, aspects of the NOI featured in "The Wolf Hunt" would have previously evaded my comprehension. While certain aspects of the novel didn't resonate as strongly with me, the thought-provoking elements were by far my favorite part of the book.
Ease of Reading ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Navigating the text with my dyslexia posed no major challenges, warranting a perfect score in this regard.
World Building ⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
The world-building in "The Wolf Hunt" provided a backdrop that adequately set the stage for the narrative. Given my familiarity with the geographical region in which the story unfolds, it might have been easier for me to conjure up the setting. However, I emphasize that the story's core focus lies more in the character-driven content, particularly Lilach's perspective.
Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
Ending ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The conclusion, while satisfying to a certain extent, left me yearning for more closure and resolution.
In conclusion, I recommend The Wolf Hunt, especially if you are seeking a serious contemporary novel that delves into issues of racism, anti-Semitism, and bullying. The book offers a thought-provoking exploration of these themes while offering a glimpse into the lives of its well-drawn characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, and Antisemitism
Minor: Animal death
angelamarcela2's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow. What a unique read from Ayelet. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, in thanks to NetGalley and the publishing house for the ARC read!
To me this translated fiction covers a great deal of topics over a short span of time. Enjoyers of translated fiction, thrillers, mysteries, and psychology will love this book.
Heavy in exploration of antisemitism and racial and immigrant issues, Ayelet very successfully invites the reader along a thriller plot line that also explores the psychology of motherhood and parenting in modern day society.
The blunt language in which Ayelet chooses to communicate can sometimes be breath catching, particularly when discussing racial issues- but works in a thought provoking way.
At the end of the novel the reader is left wishing for more, with questions left seemingly unanswered- or are they? The Wolf Hunt is a fabulously challenging read which begs us to think about the challenges of motherhood, cultural influences, and raising children in the 21st century.
Huge praise to this magnificently done novel!
To me this translated fiction covers a great deal of topics over a short span of time. Enjoyers of translated fiction, thrillers, mysteries, and psychology will love this book.
Heavy in exploration of antisemitism and racial and immigrant issues, Ayelet very successfully invites the reader along a thriller plot line that also explores the psychology of motherhood and parenting in modern day society.
The blunt language in which Ayelet chooses to communicate can sometimes be breath catching, particularly when discussing racial issues- but works in a thought provoking way.
At the end of the novel the reader is left wishing for more, with questions left seemingly unanswered- or are they? The Wolf Hunt is a fabulously challenging read which begs us to think about the challenges of motherhood, cultural influences, and raising children in the 21st century.
Huge praise to this magnificently done novel!
killa2022's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
rebecca_t's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Miscarriage, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Antisemitism, Dementia, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Self harm, Violence, Islamophobia, Murder, and War
adelaidebonfamille's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
nicole_bookmarked's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I enjoyed the author's first novel, Waking Lions, and loved this one even more! I tore through this fast-paced story in a couple of sittings because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. It's more than a thriller, it's a peek into the rise of anti-Semitism and racism in America, the immigrant experience, the relationship between a mother and son, and the secrets we keep from those we love the most.
Lilach, an Israel woman, lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mikhael and teenage son Adam. When a Black boy mysteriously dies at a house party that Adam attended, Lilach wonders if her nerdy, reclusive son is capable of murder.
This reminded me of two other books I really enjoyed: Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Defending Jacob by William Landay. Highly recommend!
Big thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read this one early!
Lilach, an Israel woman, lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mikhael and teenage son Adam. When a Black boy mysteriously dies at a house party that Adam attended, Lilach wonders if her nerdy, reclusive son is capable of murder.
This reminded me of two other books I really enjoyed: Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Defending Jacob by William Landay. Highly recommend!
Big thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read this one early!
unicornprincezz__'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ruthi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0