BOOK REVIEW: the wolf hunt...
Author: Ayelet Gunder-Goshen
Length: 288 pages
Genre: Contemporary
Publication: August 15th, 2023
I received an advanced copy of this book (ARC) from Netgalley and Little, Brown & Company (my thanks!) in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
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.
Happy reading!
Bobbi