Title: The Believers
Author: Zoë Heller
First published January 1, 2008
352 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780061430206 (ISBN10: 006143020X)
Rating: 3.38
Overview
Critically acclaimed author, Zoe Heller, delivers another captivating novel with The Believers. This tragicomic masterpiece explores the complexities of faith, belief, and trust within a dysfunctional family.
When tragedy strikes, the family is forced to confront their own personal demons in a journey that is both witty and intense. With sharp humor reminiscent of Waugh, and a writing style that is both intelligent and accessible, The Believers is a must-read for fans of Claire Messud and Zadie Smith.
Heller has once again proven herself as a master of the big ideas without sacrificing page-turning readability.
About the Author
Zoe Heller is a London-born journalist and author. She studied at Oxford University and Columbia University in New York.
Starting with writing book reviews for various newspapers, she eventually landed a feature writing gig for The Independent. She also wrote a confessional column for the Sunday Times for four years, earning the title ‘Columnist of the Year’ in 2002.
Heller has written three novels to date. Her debut novel, Everything You Know (2000), is a dark comedy about a misanthropic writer named Willy Miller.
Her second novel, Notes on a Scandal (2003), is told through the eyes of Barbara Covett, a supposed friend of a high school teacher who is having an affair with her student. Her latest novel, The Believers (2008), is also highly acclaimed.
Currently, Heller resides in New York.
Editoral Review
Zoë Heller’s The Believers is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of family, faith, and identity. The author is a British writer and journalist who is best known for her satirical and incisive commentary on the literary and cultural world.
The Believers is a literary fiction novel that follows the story of the Litvinoffs, a Jewish family living in New York City. When the patriarch of the family, Joel, suffers a stroke, his wife Audrey and their children Rosa and Karla are forced to confront their own beliefs, values, and relationships.
As they navigate Joel’s illness and the aftermath of his death, they must come to terms with their own flaws and vulnerabilities, as well as the secrets and tensions that have long simmered beneath the surface of their family dynamic.
Heller’s writing is incisive, witty, and deeply empathetic, and she creates rich and nuanced characters who are flawed and complex but ultimately relatable and sympathetic. The novel is also steeped in cultural and historical significance, as it explores the legacy of Jewish identity and tradition in America, as well as the political and social issues of the time.
It also delves into themes of love, loss, grief, and redemption, and how these experiences shape our sense of self and our relationships with others.
One of the strengths of The Believers is Heller’s skillful use of language and imagery, which creates a vivid and immersive world for the reader. She also has a keen eye for detail and characterization, and her ability to capture the nuances and complexities of human behavior and emotion is truly remarkable.
The novel is also well-paced, with a compelling and suspenseful plot that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.
However, there are some weaknesses in the book as well. The novel can be slow-moving at times, and some readers may find the characters and their struggles to be somewhat predictable or clichéd.
Additionally, the novel’s exploration of Jewish identity and tradition may not be accessible or relatable to all readers.
Overall, The Believers is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving novel that is sure to resonate with readers who enjoy literary fiction and thoughtful exploration of complex themes and issues. It is a testament to Heller’s skill as a writer, and a powerful and important work of contemporary fiction.
I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate it a 8.5, based on its strong writing, character development, and thematic depth.
