chelseamartinez's review
3.0
This is a dense, idiosyncratic book that I didn't give myself enough time to sit with; I think it's the kind of book that's good to have around on your shelf and appreciate different parts of at different times (similar to how I sometimes feel like I'm racing through a book that I didn't realize was short stories and not a novel).
karenchase's review
4.0
I got this as a gift and it was a true gift, since it is a book I never would have thought to get for myself but it is nice to have it. The content (it's not exactly a story) encompasses the history of Yiddish writing in the 19th and 20th centuries. And it is careful to explain that the very fabric of Yiddish culture is found in the writing and language. The fact that this this
book is largely a graphic novel--or, in fact, a series of shorter strips that are somewhat interconnected-- makes the material much easier to follow and digest. I definitely found myself wishing I knew more Yiddish, while simultaneously understanding that I know more Yiddish than I thought!
book is largely a graphic novel--or, in fact, a series of shorter strips that are somewhat interconnected-- makes the material much easier to follow and digest. I definitely found myself wishing I knew more Yiddish, while simultaneously understanding that I know more Yiddish than I thought!
ursulamonarch's review
2.0
Fascinating topic, but I was surprised to find that the graphic novel format detracted rather than added to the information conveyed. The text was quite dense and the illustrations ended up obscuring all of the facts.
rickklaw's review
4.0
The last fully realized work by the late Pekar, this anthology unveils the lasting influence of Yiddish on American culture. The beautiful, original stories (which includes a play and numerous essays), crafted by a host of creators including co-editor Buhle, Barry Deustsch, Peter Kuper, Allen Lewis Rickman, Spain Rodriguez, Sharon Rudahl, Gary Dumm, David Lasky, Sam Marlow, Danny Fingeroth, Joe Zabel and Pekar himself, explore the history, origins, and the meaning of Yiddishkeit ("Jewishness" as in "a Jewish way of life") in an insightful, intelligent, and entertaining manner. Perhaps the most unusual and unexpected graphic work of the year, the impressive Yiddishkeit successfully peels back centuries of scholarship and dogma while revealing the nuances of the colorful language and its impact on contemporary society.
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