Masterpieces of Jewish American Literature

(Hardback)

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Jewish Americans have produced some of the most imaginative, provocative, and widely read literary works of the twentieth century. This book gives students and general readers an introduction to ten of the most significant works of Jewish American literarure. An introductory chapter discusses the historical, cultural, social, and political backgrounds of Jewish American literature. This is followed by chapters on ten major works by Abraham Cahan, Anzia Yezierska, Michael Gold, Henry Roth, Meyer Levin, Saul Bellow, Bernard Malamud, Chiam Potok, Philip Roth, and Cynthia Ozick. Each chapter provides a biography, a plot summary, a discussion of character development, an analysis of themes, an examination of narrative style, an exploration of historical context, and suggestions for further reading. The volume closes with a selected, general bibliography. These works reflect the hopes and dreams of Jewish Americans, as well as their challenges and troubles. These works help students understand the cultural and historical events central to Jewish Americans in the twentieth century. This book gives students and general readers an introduction to ten masterpieces of Jewish American literature.

Reviews

The titles are well chosen, making this a good starting point for young people (and their teachers) who are just beginning to read Jewish-American fiction. * Multicultural Review *
In this volume appropriate for advanced high school students and above, Sternlicht highlights ten major 20th-century novels from ten Jewish American authors. Discussion for each work covers biographical and historical contexts, plot and character development, themes, and narrative style. Introductory material addresses the history of Jewish American literature and the mass experiences that unite each of the authors. The following titles are featured: Call it Sleep, Jews without Money, The Rise of David Lavinksy, Bread Givers, The Old Bunch, The Adventures of Augie March, The Assistant, The Chosen, Portnoy's Complaint, and The Messiah of Stockholm. * Reference & Research Book News *

Author Bio

Sanford Sternlicht is Professor of English at Syracuse University. He has published several books of poetry, and his scholarly studies include A Reader's Guide to Modern Irish Drama (1998), Chaim Potok: A Critical Companion (Greenwood, 2000), Student Companion to Elie Wiesel (Greenwood, 2003), and Masterpieces of Modern British and Irish Drama (Greenwood, 2005).