Picture this: a world where political intrigue simmers beneath the surface, family dynamics are as complex as global diplomacy, and one man's ambition threatens to upend it all.

In Joshua Cohen's novel The Netanyahus. The novel is about a fictionalized visit to an American campus by Benzion Netanyahu, his wife, and their three rambunctious, bawdy sons tromping through the snow of upstate New York. The novel's main character, Ruben Blum, is a historian at Corbin College, the fictional town's college, in the late 1950s.

Ruben Blume's voice in The Netanyahus is genuinely something special. He's witty and utterly self-aware, which is refreshing. His ability to maintain authenticity without descending into whining or complaint is particularly impressive—a pitfall that could have easily ensnared lesser characters—a perfect companion to take us along on our journey of polemic intrigue.

Much of the novel's hilarity is driven by the conflict of identity and ideals masterfully laid bare by Cohen. Uncomfortable exchanges abound on the page, academic rigmarole, and a bloody conclusion to a debate of fairness.

Meanwhile, this novel is filled with so much information, which can sometimes be dizzying. (I found myself with several tabs open on my browser for research) But Cohen again comes in with great structure with the novel and provides the essential context within the story to understand the point, joke, or reference he is making.

It is a delightful work of fiction, worth every word on the page —allowing us to enjoy the comedy and explore the more profound questions that plague our current political climate.