The Yiddish Policemen's Union

I just finished reading Michael Chabon's "The Yiddish Policemen's Union" which I picked up in Germany when I was there 2 weeks ago. I had read Chabon's "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" some years back and really liked it, so I was curious about his new novel, especially after finding out what it was about. I saw the novel nominated for one of the major science fiction book awards recently which peaked my interest and so I got it as soon as possible.
Usually I don't write review articles on my blog and just list the books I read in the lower right column that you find by scrolling down. But this time I had to make an exception as I truly loved the book. The reason the novel was nominated for a science fiction award is its unique premise. Chabon once found a language guide for tourists to learn basic Yiddish and he wondered where this "Yiddishland" might be. (Although Yiddish is spoken worldwide, it's not an officially recognized language in any country.) Chabon also stumbled upon a proposition by Franklin Roosevelt to grant part of Alaska to the Jewish refugees so they could form a Jewish state there. The novel expands on this premise and is set in the Federal District of Sitka, Alaska, inhabited by 3 million Jews. (In the book the state of Israel collapsed in its infancy.)
It's 2008 and the temporary Jewish safe haven is about to be dismantled after its 60 year lease expires and the district reverts back to Alaskan control.
Meyer Landsmann is an old fashioned detective who hit hard times recently. His wife left him, he lives in a small dirty room in a flop house, and he battles with his drinking problem. As if that's not enough, one of the other guests of his shabby hotel is found murdered. As he investigates the murder, he stirs up more trouble than what is good for him.
The unique setting, creative language, twisting plot and great characters all add up to a marvelous book that I can recommend wholeheartedly. Chabon takes a hard-boiled detective character, puts him into an imaginative alternate history setting, adds some chutzpeh and political mystery spice and comes up with a great book that is beyond all genre conventions. It might be too early to call, but this seems like my novel of the year.