Let's talk about 'Aquarium: A Novel'. This book has sparked some strong reactions, and after reading it myself, I can see why. The premise is intriguing - a story about two deaf sisters, Lili and Dori, raised by their deaf parents in a secluded world. It's a modern fable that promises depth and emotional resonance.

On the positive side, the novel shines in its unique perspective. The portrayal of a deaf family's dynamics is rare in literature, and the author does a commendable job of immersing readers in their silent world. The bond between the sisters, especially when they're separated by an ocean, is heartwarming and well-explored.

However, the execution falls short for many readers, including myself at times. The translation from Hebrew feels choppy, with awkward sentence structures that disrupt the flow. Some passages are so overly descriptive that they lose clarity, making it hard to follow the storyline.

The pacing is another issue. While some chapters beautifully build tension, others drag unnecessarily, testing my patience. This inconsistent rhythm made it challenging to stay engaged, and I found myself skimming through certain sections.

What's fascinating is how divisive this book is. In my book club, reactions ranged from 'couldn't finish' to 'absolutely loved.' Personally, I appreciated the novel's ambition and emotional core, but the technical flaws in translation and pacing prevented it from being a truly great read.

Final verdict? If you're interested in unique family dynamics and don't mind working through some literary roughness, give it a try. But if you prefer smooth, polished narratives, this might not be the book for you.