The Yiddish Policemen's UnionThe Yiddish Policemen's Union
Score Modern
What it's about
In an alternate history, after the Second World War, Jewish refugees were given a temporary homeland in Sitka, Alaska, instead of Israel, and now, sixty years later, the territory is about to be handed back to the United States. Meyer Landsman, a burned-out, hard-drinking homicide detective, investigates the murder of a heroin addict and chess genius in his flophouse, who may have been the Messiah.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Hugo and the Nebula and was an Edgar finalist. It's a brilliant, funny, melancholy detective novel in a world that never was.
You'll love it if you liked
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
The Plot Against America
The Big SleepGood to know
It's full of Yiddish slang, mostly explained by context. The plot is complex.
By the numbers
- Readers2 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics84 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller52 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #162 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #266 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #896 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1659 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Michael Chabon
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
MoonglowIf you like this, read next
Servant of the Bones
The Mountain in the Sea
The Martian
Gideon the Ninth
All Systems Red
Infinite JestExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Yiddish Policemen's Union worth reading?
Yes. It won the Hugo and the Nebula and was an Edgar finalist. It ranks #1,659 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 67.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Yiddish Policemen's Union about?
In an alternate history, after the Second World War, Jewish refugees were given a temporary homeland in Sitka, Alaska, instead of Israel, and now, sixty years later, the territory is about to be handed back to the United States. Meyer Landsman, a burned-out, hard-drinking homicide detective, investigates the murder of a heroin addict and chess genius in his flophouse, who may have been the Messiah.
How long does it take to read The Yiddish Policemen's Union?
About 10 hours (414 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has The Yiddish Policemen's Union won?
Hugo Award winner (2008); Nebula Award winner (2007).
What should I read after The Yiddish Policemen's Union?
If you liked it, try The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon, The Plot Against America by Philip Roth or The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler.