American Jewish Fiction: A JPS Guide

Jewish Publication Society. 2009. $20.

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Description: 

This new volume in the JPS Guides series is a fiction reader’s dream: a guide to 125 remarkable works of fiction. The selection includes a wide range of classic American Jewish novels and story collections, from 1867 to the present, selected by the author in consultation with a panel of literary scholars and book industry professionals. Roth, Mailer, Kellerman, Chabon, Ozick, Heller, and dozens of other celebrated writers are here, with their most notable works. Each entry includes a book summary, with historical context and background on the author. Suggestions for further reading point to other books that match readers’ interests and favorite writers. And the introduction is a fascinating exploration of the history of and important themes in American Jewish Fiction, illustrating how Jewish writing in the U.S. has been in constant dialogue with popular entertainment and intellectual life. Included in this guide are lists of book award winners; recommended anthologies; title, author, and subject indexes; and more.

Reviews: 

“This guide is a pleasure to read, the result of Lambert’s wry and breezy style.” Jewish Book World

“The usual truth is that reference books belong in libraries, but Josh Lambert’s American Jewish Fiction is a notable exception. American readers—those Jewish, those not—should buy it and flip through the pages when looking for a good novel to buy.” JBooks.com

“As they say, you can’t tell the players without a scorecard. And this [American Jewish Fiction: A JPS Guide] is a fine way to keep the literary score.” Jewish Herald Voice