Joshua Then and Now [Paperback]

Mordecai Richler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1981 | ISBN-10: 0553145835 | ISBN-13: 978-0553145830

Joshua Then and Now is about Joshua Shapiro today, and the Joshua he was. His father a boxer turned honest crook, his mother an erotic dancer whose greatest performance was at Joshua’s bar mitzvah, Joshua has overcome his inauspicious beginnings in the Jewish ghetto of Montreal to become a celebrated television writer and a successful journalist. But Joshua, now middle-aged, is not a happy man. Incapacitated by a freak accident, anguished by the disappearance of his WASP wife, and caught up in a sex scandal, Joshua is besieged by the press and tormented by the ghosts of his youth. Set in Montreal, the novel chronicles the rocky journey we all make between the countries of the past and the present. Raucous, opinionated, tender, Joshua Then and Now is a memorable excursion into Mordecai Richler's comic universe.


From the Hardcover edition.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A richly comic satire in the best uninhibited Richler tradition, full of sharp jabs and ticking bombs.…”
–Globe and Mail

“A superb work, a rowdy, roistering tour de force.…It’s Richler the Irreverent at the height of his powers.”
–Calgary Herald

"Full of splendid writing.…Funny, compassionate, ambitious, perceptive and rich in character.…Richler has unflagging comic energy.”
–Chicago Tribune

"Wildly funny.”
–Joseph Heller, author of Catch-22

"A thoroughly enjoyable, exhilarating read.”
–Times Literary Supplement


From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Bantam Books (April 1981)
• ISBN-10: 0553145835
• ISBN-13: 978-0553145830
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,858,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Joshua Then And Now is hilarious, April 3, 2000

By 

Ola Tola (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joshua Then and Now (Paperback)

I am currently reading this novel, and so far, I find it interesting. Joshua is a complex character. He achieved his ambition, and at the same time, he is dwelling on the past. It is quite unfortunate to see a character who has achieved what can be called "success" and at the same time not happy with himself. I think Joshua Then And Now is a funny book, and I highly recommend it for anybody who wants to learn more about the comic world of Mordecai Richler.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will please any Richler fan, February 7, 2003

By 

R. Nicholson - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Joshua Then and Now (Paperback)

This book is classic Mordecai Richler:

His main character, Joshua, is a Montreal Jew who is opinionated, cynical and comes from a seedy background: and yet, is able to survive, become successful and marries into a well-off family that have their own set of closet skeletons. The story has many interesting twists and emotions vary from the serious, sad or sometimes, to the very funny. Like many of Richler's characters, there is a gutsy determination, a sense of purposeful indignation about Joshua that you can admire and identify with.

The novel is well written and easy to read and uses sporadic explicit language.This is sure to please anyone who has enjoyed other Richler books such as "Barney's Version" or "St. Urbain's Horseman". A recommended read!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comic, Crude, and Didactic, February 24, 2002

By 

Yatin Chadha (Kingston, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joshua Then and Now (Hardcover)

Mordecai Richler definitely came out of hiding with the release of Joshua Then and Now, a literary marvel that made me roll in my chair with uncontrollable laughter. This novel has many features worthy of praise. First, Joshua's character can go both ways in terms of admiration: some readers admire this crude character while othere despise the man who is a mere image of Richler. Second, continual flashbacks to different periods and settings make Joshua Then and Now a page-turner. The novel also had its lows. It was evident that Richler took a shortcut in producing this novel as Joshua Shapiro's character was a reflection of his own. Also, the novel could have done without scenes dealing with the William Lyon Mackenzie King Memorial Society as this did little to advance the novel. All in all, Joshua Then and Now was a success, preaching audiences about the importance of moral and sound family values. Mr. Richler, your comic energy and satires will be missed forever.