Days of Awe Book

I often times wonder what motivated me to put certain books on my to read list. Since this book is definetly outside of my normal sphere, I'm having a hard time pinning down what it was that intrigued me. The family cohesion/dissillusion? The search for religious meaning in life? The NYC setting? Or 9/11 trauma? All this is covered from the perspective of a religious/nonreligious Jewish family. I certainly learned more than I could ever otherwise know about Jewish religious traditions, ceremonies and holidays. The title itself refers to period of the year when Jews believe God decides the fate of Jews in the coming year. There is also ample Gentile representation.
I had problems with the style..a sort of stream of conscience that never truly let me konw which conscience was speaking (or thoughting?) at what time without scatching my head to figure it out. It seemed as if a whole Jewish congregation was introduced thoughout the book. Half of the character could have been excised.
I happen to spend a lot of time in Manhattan and just as in TV sitcoms there never seem to be any Black people there. Contrary to the multitudes I observe. Except for the "handsome Black doorman" and cartoonish maid, the book was also dereft of any Black people. Perhaps to Jewish writers and TV sitcoms we really are invisible.

I do give the book kudos for exploring grief and legitimate victimhood and its ramifications. And how it can force different individuals to either embrace religion and cast it aside.