This is a slim book of just over a dozen short stories, all with the same theme: a satirical take on when religion becomes dogma, with Orthodox Judaism as the starting point. Some stories deal with the idiocy of religious practices, when taken literally and seriously. One shows two hamsters trying to understand why the gifts of food from their Joe are not as bountiful as they used to be, and attempting to regain Joe’s favour by applying themselves even more diligently on the exercise wheel. A few show what reality might look like from God’s point of view, if the world worked the way religious creed tells us.
The stories are funny and well-written. The thematic focus of the book gave it a strength it wouldn’t have otherwise, but at the same time I found it slightly repetitive. I enjoyed reading this, but wouldn’t have wanted any more of the same.
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