Ms. Miller has control of the written word. Thoroughly enjoyed it! ( )

There is no earthly reason why this novel works as well as it does, except for the fact that Rebecca Miller is a great writer and really knows how to tell a tale. A Jewish peddler in 18th Paris who, under unusual circumstances, comes to 21st century New York and encounters a volunteer fireman and an ultra-Orthodox wouman with dreams of becoming an actress, thinking he can determine their fate. Marvelous book.

If I could, I would give it another half star. ( )

This is one of those books whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The author has taken the "a fly on the wall" POV to a new level by making the narrator of the story literally into a fly. But not just an ordinary fly - one who was once a man 300 years before! As ridiculous as this may sound, it is a conceit that actually works.

You can read my full review here...

(My thanks to the Cannongate Books for sending a review copy via Curious Book Fans.) ( )

I adored this creative, page-turning and moving story of a dead French Jewish peddler come back to life as a fly in modern day Long Island and the influence he has on inveterate goody-two-shoes Les and struggling Orthodox Jew Masha. This book deserves to be a big hit with lots of readers.
http://www.bostonbibliophile.com/2013/02/review-jacobs-folly-by-rebecca-miller.h... ( )