Jewish literature takes a turn toward adventure in two recent novels
One does not conventionally turn first to Jewish literature to satisfy a thirst for adventure stories. Nevertheless, the past few weeks have seen the publication of two notable picaresque novels,…
Family histories open new windows on historical events
What makes books on family history so compelling for me is that they offer a fresh and personal lens on historical events while simultaneously illustrating how historical circumstances have a…
‘The Lost Shtetl’ and ‘The Orchard’: 2 new novels of Jewish culture shock
‘The Lost Shtetl’ and ‘The Orchard’: 2 new novels of Jewish culture shock Books coverage is supported by a generous grant from The Milton and Sophie Meyer Fund. For those…
Gripping memoirs by writers who aren’t exactly famous
Gripping memoirs by writers who aren’t exactly famous – J. Books coverage is supported by a generous grant from The Milton and Sophie Meyer Fund. We tend to gravitate toward…
What became of Queen Vashti? One Bay One Book program tackles ‘The Book of V.’
Whither Vashti? One Bay One Book program tackles ‘The Book of V.’ The Jewish Community Library has chosen Anna Solomon’s new novel “The Book of V.” for its next One…
New Israeli novels explore the weight of memory
New Israeli novels explore the weight of memory – J. Memory informs every aspect of Jewish existence. The late historian Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi, who argued that Jews have always privileged…
On the Riviera, in Bolivia … Jewish historical fiction that travels
On the Riviera, in Bolivia … Jewish historical fiction that travels – J. Two new coming-of-age novels set against memorable geographical and historical backdrops remind me of what I especially…
Secrets kept, secrets revealed as the main character dies in two debut novels
Secrets kept, secrets revealed in two debut novels Books coverage is supported by a generous grant from The Milton and Sophie Meyer Fund. When somebody close to us dies, we…
