This is a real thinky book, kind of like [b:Sophie's World|10959|Sophie's World (Paperback)|Jostein Gaarder|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21A6T5PH7YL._SL75_.jpg|4432325] but focusing on religion (and almost exclusively Judeo-Christian religion). The main character is a professor of psychology named Cass Seltzer. He's a nice guy who's just written a book called The Varieties of Religious Illusion (yes, there are a lot of William James references). Cass's book includes an appendix that lists out the 36 big arguments for the existence of God and then lists the flaws in each argument. Cass is now a famous atheist because of the success of the book, and we get to follow him around as he deals with his success, very often jumping way back in Cass's life to see how he got where he is. (Hint: he doesn't seem like a stereotypical atheist at all.)

In order to enjoy this book I had to learn to do one thing: every time Cass's mentor Jonas Elijah Klapper started talking I would skim. Yes, folks, that is the secret to enjoying this book. Cass may revere Klapper, but it's obvious that Klapper is an insane blowhard and his crazy complicated rants should not be read closely. If you try to understand what he's saying, you may end up throwing the book across the room. So don't. The book stands up without knowing what the hell Klapper is talking about, I think because he is not actually saying anything meaningful. And that may be the point.

Focus instead of some great characters: Azarya, Roz, and Cass himself. Azaraya is a mathematical genius who also happens to have the future of a rare Hasidic Jewish sect resting on this shoulders. Roz is a boisterous anthropologist who bounces in and out of Cass's life. Cass is so smart and yet really dumb about women. These three are the heart of the novel and you'll rush past the annoying characters (Klapper, Lucinda, Pascale) to read more about them.

This book is not for everyone, but if you like to laugh at academia and its ridiculousness, and are interested in the varieties of religious experience, then go for it. If you want to skip the novel and just read the appendix, do it. But I'd also find the chapters with the Harvard Agnostic Chaplaincy debate between Cass and Felix Findley and read it too. More than a debate about the existence of God, it's a defense of atheism, and even sort of makes you think that atheists like Cass can be filled with a sense of purpose, morality, and faith that is perhaps more meaningful than simply believing in God. ( )

Just got about 30 pages into it, it’s not the right kind of book for me, esp in the midst of a corona virus epidemic. I suppose I might try it again some day.

The books plot meanders. It jumps back without warning, switches perspectives jarringly, and in some spots (when the Yiddish and the Jewish mysticism get thrown at you) the tale gets downright confusing and the names nearly impossible to keep track of. However, the humor is pervasive and her ideas are big. One of the most interesting aspects is how Goldstein's characters are in no way trying to paint religion in a negative light - in fact, Cass goes to great pains to avoid doing so. Goldstein's argument is logical, not emotional.

The latter part of the book, an essay describing the 36 Arguments for God and the refutations are written concisely in stark contrast the novel before it. Every argument Goldstein presents is easily understood. An atheist would be hard pressed to find a better reference material if they're dragged into the age-old arguments: "Does God exist?" and "Can we be moral without God?" ( )

About page 50 I didn't think I could continue - of the five main characters, three were unbearable to me. Fortunately one improved on acquaintance and the other two barely made an appearance. As her critics say, this author has a great feel for weaving philosophy into her fiction without weighing down the story. In this case, the philosophy (and psychology) of religion. I read this book at the same time as Bill Bryson's 'History of Nearly Everything' and coincidentally it turns out that they are complementary. Both ask 'Why are we here?' and '36' adds 'And what are we supposed to do about it?'. I don't think this author ever puts characters in more than one book but I wish she would write another featuring Azarya Sheiner, one of the most interesting fictional characters I've ever encountered. ( )

Redeemed by the ending. Poorly organized and could have used some editing. Lots of loose ends. ( )