The Yiddish Policemen's Union

Michael Chabon
The Yiddish Policemen's Union Cover

The Yiddish Policemen's Union--Don't think SF

Tar Daddoo
2/22/2015
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What is the Science Fiction Premise?

The Yiddish Policemen's Union is an alternate history in which some of the events following World War II are different from what we know. In particular, the state of Israel fails to get started and the Jewish refugees of Europe are scattered about the world. In the United States a Jewish refugee camp is established in Sitka off the coast of Alaska. It has been there for fifty years and Jews now completely dominate the town of Sitka.

Is the science of the premise explored?

Like many alternate histories, this book simply asserts that history is different. It does not try to explain why. The characters live in the history they are born into. There is no sense that any different history could have existed. As readers, we know it is a different history, but that is not essential to the story.

Is the impact of the premise on an individual explored?

Since the characters do not believe any different history was possible, it is hard to argue that they are affected by the premise. As readers, we can compare the life they are living to one we might imagine they would have lived in our history, but the book does not aid this speculation. For all we know, these characters would have endured similar events in a small town in Israel had they lived in our timeline.

Is the impact of the premise on society explored?

Since history is more a societal than an individual construct, alternate histories are usually about exploring how society might be different. The society in The Yiddish Policemen's Union is definitely different from anything I know about, but I am not always certain that is due to the premise that history is different.

As a non-Jew it was difficult for me to tease apart how much of what I was observing was due to Jewish domination of the society and how much was due to the alternate historical events. Frankly, a major strength of the book is that it does not try to factor this out. The characters are living in extreme circumstances: long-term refugee status, Alaskan cold and isolation, federal jurisdiction, native animosity, and Jewish predominance within a limited area. The society that emerges under these circumstances is influenced by all of these factors in complex and interacting ways. There is no attempt to attribute outcomes to causes.

How well written is the story?

I found the book quite engaging. The pervasive use of Yiddish expressions was a bit off-putting, but not a serious problem. There is a glossary for those who care to use it, but I just pressed ahead without it. Most terms could be understood by context or were not essential.

Can I recommend the book?

To appreciate The Yiddish Policemen's Union you should begin by putting aside your Science Fiction/Fantasy expectations. It is not that type of a book. It does not require much suspension of disbelief. It does not offer flights of fancy. It does not require you to think about the world in a completely new light. Instead, it is a very well-written Mystery/Adventure in which the characters behave in interesting and surprising ways that follow from their circumstances. I am happy to recommend the book, but only if you will begin by reading it as simply a novel about interesting times.

Tar Daddoo

http://TarDaddoo.com