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 classics revisited
Author: Mark Zanger 
Date:   02-01-04 23:53

What are some older Jewish books, even out of print, that are moving and important still?

I think of Aryeh Kaplan's books on meditation, Philip Roth's critique of Harry Golden that I read 30 years ago, Bellow's _Henderson the Rain King_, Pines' translation of Maimonides _Guide for the Perplexed_, the late Richard Israel's _A Kosher Pig_, the wonderful memoir of Simon Nunes Carvalho, the early photographer who was on one of Fremont's explorations of the American west and spent some time with the early Mormons... so many books by IB Singer -- well that's off the top of my head. What are some oldies but goodies that others still treasure?
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 Re: classics revisited
Author: Jill 
Date:   02-05-04 12:14

So many people have been talking to me about Philip Roth lately. What's the deal? Is he really as good as everyone says? What is his best book?
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 Re: classics revisited
Author: Leah H. 
Date:   02-06-04 10:08

Roth has had an incredible career; I think most readers will find it easiest to read "American Pastoral" and "The Human Stain," which focus on life in post-war America. "The Counterlife" and "Operation Shylock" are somewhat gimmicky explorations of the relationship betwen American Jews and Israel--those are two of my favorites. And then there are the ribald comedies, like "Sabbath's theater" and, of course, "Portnoy's Complaint." What's most impressive about Roth is that he's so prolific and has been able to do so many different things so well during his career.
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 Re: classics revisited
Author: Leah H. 
Date:   02-06-04 10:12

In terms of classics, I love "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" by Mordecai Richler, and the books of the '30s and '40s that inspired it. Bud Shulberg's "What Makes Sammy Run?" is a great classic Hollywood novel, also, and Daniel Fuchs' williamsburg" books are also fantastic. And, definitely, I.J. Singer (who was I.B.Singer's brother).
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 Re: classics revisited
Author: Jenny 
Date:   02-23-04 14:37

In terms of classic kids books, I remember reading Sydney Taylor's All of A Kind Family series. They were great for kids. And still are a great read for kids. In fact, there is a children's book award named for the author Sydney Taylor.
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 Re: classics revisited -- exact title
Author: Mark Zanger 
Date:   03-06-04 19:22

It's _Incidents of Travel and Adventure in the Far West with Col. Fremont's Last Expedition_ by Solomon Nunes Carvalho, first published 1857, JPS reprint 1954 (but I think reissued at least once since), edited with an introduction by Bertram Wallace Korn.

A great adventure!
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 Re: classics revisited
Author: Ari Davidow 
Date:   05-02-04 22:45

Speaking of golden oldies, I recent purchased a new (to me - this is really the 1888 translation by J. Clark Murray, newly introduced by Michael Shapiro) translation of the autobiography of Solomon Maimon. I haven't read it yet, but I did enjoy the edition I purchased, and must have passed on, decades ago--it's not on the shelf as I look for it now.

Maimon was an early "maskil", a follower of the Haskalah, or Enlightenment. He was also a thorough rogue. Perhaps it would help to see him as the Abby Hoffman of the eighteenth century.

This new edition claims that he was was one of the great thinkers of his time and the author of a major critique of Kant. Perhaps I should take back the comparison to Abby Hoffman. The '60s icon never had to live with a poor farmer and eke out a living as a tutor, nor will he be remembered as a philosopher. But as your read Maimon's adventures and misadventures you will see a connection.

We know the results of the Haskalah - everything from Zionism to secularism to dozens of different approaches to Jewish life - but we forget, sometimes, what a strange and difficult time it was to be at the cutting edge as Jews began to explore the world outside of Judaism.
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 Re: classics revisited
Author: Joanna 
Date:   07-13-04 15:05

I recommend Henry Roth's "Call It Sleep." In this novel, Roth tells the story of an Eastern European Jewish immigrant family in New York City. The story centers on David Schearl, a young boy who struggles to come to terms with his family, his religion, and his place in American society. A similar novel that I also recommend is Anzia Yezierska's "Breadgivers," which tells the story of Sara Smolinsky, a young woman, and her fight for independence from her Eastern European Jewish immigrant family. Both novels touch on themes such as the Old World of Eastern Europe vs. the New World of American society and the oppressive nature of patriarchy. These two novels are definitely still moving and important to Jewish American literature.
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