Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
W. W. Norton & Company (2014), Paperback, 288 pages
Description
Traces the experiences of protagonists from a range of cultures, including a blacklisted Hollywood actor who struggles to connect with his son, and a dissenting gallery worker who begins smuggling and curating underground art.
Awards
National Book Award (Longlist — Fiction — 2014)
Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards (Silver Medal — 2014)
National Jewish Book Award (Finalist — 2014)
PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize (Finalist — 2015)
Young Lions Fiction Award (Finalist — 2015)
Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Award (Finalist — Fiction — 2014)
Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature (Finalist — 2015)
5 Under 35 Award (2013)
Harold U. Ribalow Prize (2015)
NPR: Books We Love (2014)
San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year (Fiction — 2014)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member chrisblocker
The UnAmericans is a wonderful new collection of short stories. Molly Antopol does an amazing job giving a sense of urgency to these stories, making them feel more novelistic in scope. In a matter of a few pages, I was completely drawn into the tale and felt like I'd spent more time with these
What attracted me to this collection was the title. I loved it. Ironically, the title ended up being the one thing I felt left this book disjointed. Other than largely focusing on a cast of non-Americans, there was nothing “UnAmerican” about this collection. I kept looking for that hint of dissent, for that rejection of “American values”—something that made this “Unamerican.” There are many other titles that would've been a better choice logically, but they wouldn't have caught my attention the same, so The UnAmericans it is.
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characters than just those few pages. These stories are intelligent and well-written, though nothing new or startling in terms of craft and style. They're emotional and really capture those idiosyncrasies that make us human. Antopol's characters often react in ways that are shocking, yet understandable—even familiar.What attracted me to this collection was the title. I loved it. Ironically, the title ended up being the one thing I felt left this book disjointed. Other than largely focusing on a cast of non-Americans, there was nothing “UnAmerican” about this collection. I kept looking for that hint of dissent, for that rejection of “American values”—something that made this “Unamerican.” There are many other titles that would've been a better choice logically, but they wouldn't have caught my attention the same, so The UnAmericans it is.
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LibraryThing member nomadreader
The backstory: The UnAmericans, Molly Antopol's debut short story collection, was named one of the National Book Award's 5 Under 35 last year.
The basics: This collection of stories addresses themes of home, immigration, and history.
My thoughts: Longtime readers of this blog know that short stories
As my reading continued, I found the collection to somewhat uneven, except the highs were exceptional stories and the lows were still good stories. There was one story that I found relatively ordinary, but as a collection, it's impressive. I often struggle with assessing story collections as a whole because the order matters so much more to me as a reader. With only eight stories, of mostly equal lengths, there aren't places to hide. When the three stories I loved ended, I was sad. When the four good stories ended, it seemed appropriate. When the one story I didn't particularly enjoy ended, I was relieved. It's difficult for me as a reader to think about this collection as a whole because one story or another is always more present in my mind. What I loved most about my favorite stories were the characters. Antopol masterfully developed characters and worlds in the lifespan of a short story, and it made me long to read the novel she's currently writing, The After Party.
Favorite passage: "But she had always presented herself to the world in too apologetic a manner for me to take her ambitions seriously--because it hadn't yet occurred to me that it was different to be an artist or writer or thinker here in America. That one didn't need to be a persuasive speaker or have a charismatic presence, as every one of my colleagues had back in Prague. Daniela simply needed to live as an observer, sitting discreetly in a corner, quietly cataloging the foibles of those around her."
The verdict: There are three superb stories in this collection, and it made me a fan of Molly Antopol, even though I didn't love each of the collection's eight stories. Unsurprisingly, I'm eagerly awaiting her first novel because it's a form I adore, and with her stories, she's already established herself as an author I adore.
The basics: This collection of stories addresses themes of home, immigration, and history.
My thoughts: Longtime readers of this blog know that short stories
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are not my favorite medium, but the reviews were so universally glowing for Molly Antopol that I've been anticipating this collection since I first heard about it. The collection's first story, "The Old World," is among its best. It absolutely blew me away, and perhaps it set my expectations for the rest of the collection too high.As my reading continued, I found the collection to somewhat uneven, except the highs were exceptional stories and the lows were still good stories. There was one story that I found relatively ordinary, but as a collection, it's impressive. I often struggle with assessing story collections as a whole because the order matters so much more to me as a reader. With only eight stories, of mostly equal lengths, there aren't places to hide. When the three stories I loved ended, I was sad. When the four good stories ended, it seemed appropriate. When the one story I didn't particularly enjoy ended, I was relieved. It's difficult for me as a reader to think about this collection as a whole because one story or another is always more present in my mind. What I loved most about my favorite stories were the characters. Antopol masterfully developed characters and worlds in the lifespan of a short story, and it made me long to read the novel she's currently writing, The After Party.
Favorite passage: "But she had always presented herself to the world in too apologetic a manner for me to take her ambitions seriously--because it hadn't yet occurred to me that it was different to be an artist or writer or thinker here in America. That one didn't need to be a persuasive speaker or have a charismatic presence, as every one of my colleagues had back in Prague. Daniela simply needed to live as an observer, sitting discreetly in a corner, quietly cataloging the foibles of those around her."
The verdict: There are three superb stories in this collection, and it made me a fan of Molly Antopol, even though I didn't love each of the collection's eight stories. Unsurprisingly, I'm eagerly awaiting her first novel because it's a form I adore, and with her stories, she's already established herself as an author I adore.
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
3.5 The thread connecting all these stories is that of the immigrant, hence unamericans. They take place in different times and places. Ordinary people often caught up in matters beyond their control, how tenuous are the connections between people and how they react to these changed circumstances.
These stories are extremely well written, some seem to be so fully contained they seemed much longer than they appear, fully realized stories. I for some reason, found myself drawn to the story, "Minor Heroes, even though it was rather sad, based on a personal tragedy, I identified with Oren. Though really all the stories are very good and this is definitely a writer to watch.
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All looking for clues, their own road maps for the future.These stories are extremely well written, some seem to be so fully contained they seemed much longer than they appear, fully realized stories. I for some reason, found myself drawn to the story, "Minor Heroes, even though it was rather sad, based on a personal tragedy, I identified with Oren. Though really all the stories are very good and this is definitely a writer to watch.
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LibraryThing member nivramkoorb
I chose this book because it had received excellent reviews and the author was considered 5 under 35 to watch by the National Book Award foundation. The stories concerned people with an immigrant connection and took place both in the US and in places such as the Ukraine and Israel. It mainly
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focused on people with a Jewish heritage but the themes were universal. The more I read, the more I am beginning to enjoy short stories. The stories in this collection were fairly long and gave you a chance to really connect with the characters. She ended her stories with the usual good short story ambiguity. I strongly recommend this book and look forward to more books from Molly Antopol(hopefully a novel). Show Less
LibraryThing member rondoctor
Excellent collection of short stories. Wonderful character portrayal. I felt like I actually was the character in each story.
LibraryThing member lisapeet
Yep, everyone who recommended it to me was right—really good stuff, and totally my kind of thing on a bunch of levels. I know I spend most of my energies praising the Bloomers, but man—what a great, and really mature, showing from such a young author. I'm so impressed.
These are stories of the
These are stories of the
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Cold War, post-Cold War, Israelis, Israeli-Americans, immigrants, emigrants... permutations of a slice of the world that has a whole lot of stories to tell. Highly recommended all around. Show Less
LibraryThing member suesbooks
Antopol's writing made me feel very close to the characters, whether or not I cared for them. No one was able to find fulfillment, which was a little tiring, but every story interested and moved me.
LibraryThing member berthirsch
an interesting short story collection. the general themes explore the Jewish diaspora in America and Israel. a new fresh voice.
LibraryThing member klburnside
This collection of short stories was extremely well written. I loved how each story in the collection captured the characters and their relationships with each other so authentically. The stories never end perfectly, issues aren't always resolved, and characters often don't really fully discover
I really loved the first few stories in the collection, but my interest waned towards the end, I think mostly because I kept reading the stories too late at night.
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their motivations or emotions. Things remain complicated and muddled. It all just seems true to how life actually is, and something I have found the short story genre often does extremely well. I really loved the first few stories in the collection, but my interest waned towards the end, I think mostly because I kept reading the stories too late at night.
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LibraryThing member hemlokgang
A marvelous set of short stories, "The UnAmericans", is written in a new and confident voice. The stories encompass characters from Prague to Israel to New York and more, all of whom seem to be seeking some sort of peace in complex socio-political circumstances. There is an undercurrent of courage,
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determination, and desire for connection in the characters and each of the stories. I think Molly Antopol is an author to keep an eye on! Show Less
LibraryThing member gbelik
The characters in this book of short stories live in Israel, the Ukraine and the United States. None are really totally of their world, but are striving toward understanding of self and place. They are deftly written and a joy to read; she swiftly develops her characters and leaves them at just the
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right time for the story to finish. Show Less
LibraryThing member ohernaes
Short stories about Americans with Eastern European backgrounds. Did not do much for me.
LibraryThing member gayla.bassham
If you read a literary short story every day for a few weeks in a row, they all start to sound the same. So I haven't been excited about short stories for a while, and I put off reading this collection for a long time. But when I finally sat down with it, it turned out to be just brilliant --
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beautifully written stories with interesting characters. Several of the stories are set in Israel, and the milieu makes them feel fresher, and gives the collection different stakes than if it were another collection set in New York or middle America. Loved it -- easily one of the best books I read in 2014. Show Less
LibraryThing member Narshkite
I know my opinion is an unpopular one, but for me this was a really disappointing collection. I have been looking forward to reading The UnAmericans for quite some time. The reviews I read made it sound as if written specifically for me.
Antopol's writing skills are irreproachable. Each sentence is
I have some other beefs. Some of the stories felt derivative of things I had read before, and even of one another. Additionally the stories are really slow moving. I don't need car chases, but its nice when something happens in a story.
Antopol is a good writer, and I would be interested to see what she writes next. I hope by then she learns to be interesting, to be audacious. It would be nice if she took on some of the things that give people wings, or even the things they kick against that tether then spreadeagled to the ground. Meticulously chronicling bitter resignation and social obsolescence is not what lures me as a reader.
Antopol's writing skills are irreproachable. Each sentence is
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very well crafted, and I admire well-crafted prose. She also clearly benefited from what I assume was a Workman's Circle preschool and a nice Birthright trip. But the stories themselves seem clunky and old-fashioned (and not in a good way.) Everything is viewed from a very lefty lens. The book is populated with dissidents whose fervor is now out of style, gritty kibbutzim, and earnest best generation types struggling with evolving definitions of what it means to be a Jew. Even as I write this I am confused as to why I didn't like the book. Depressed Jews at a crossroads? That's my jam! Bring on your Chabon, your Franzen, your Safran-Foer, your Bellow and Roth. But Antopol's depressed Jews don't rail at the heavens or live in-your-face iconoclastic lives. These depressed Jews whine, abdicate responsibility for creating a worthwhile life, or resign themselves to "leave me alone to sit in the dark" martyrdom. I know plenty of real people like that, and they are no bargain. I read to escape them, not to analyze them.I have some other beefs. Some of the stories felt derivative of things I had read before, and even of one another. Additionally the stories are really slow moving. I don't need car chases, but its nice when something happens in a story.
Antopol is a good writer, and I would be interested to see what she writes next. I hope by then she learns to be interesting, to be audacious. It would be nice if she took on some of the things that give people wings, or even the things they kick against that tether then spreadeagled to the ground. Meticulously chronicling bitter resignation and social obsolescence is not what lures me as a reader.
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LibraryThing member asxz
Very Jewish, very Israeli but only mildly interesting collection of stories.
ISBN
0393349969 / 9780393349962