Winner of the 2017 Man Booker International Prize, Israeli author David Grossman has written an intriguing novel.  Dov Greenstein, a 57 year old stand-up comic, has invited a childhood acquaintance who happens to be a retired judge to view his performance that takes place in a small town in Israel.  His routine is part jokes, part memoir and part philosophical digressions.  Throughout Dov’s performance, the reader gains insight into his life as well as the judge’s.

A Horse Walks into a Bar is not an easy read.  Greenstein’s monologue takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster.  It is the type of book I don’t enjoy reading, but when I have finished, I am happy I have read it!