JL;DR

Sam Sussman's debut novel, "Boy from the North Country," explores themes of identity, art, and Jewish heritage under the enigmatic shadow of Bob Dylan potent...

The Guide to Jewish Literature for September/October 2025, as presented by Hadassah Magazine and authored by Randi O'Connor, offers an insightful overview of...

Jason Diamond, a journalist and author, brings his wit and cultural insights into his debut novel, "Kaplan's Plot." Set between present-day Chicago and early...

Liana Finck's graphic memoir "Passing for Human" is a profound exploration of self-discovery and acceptance, framed within a Jewish context of teshuvah, or r...

Agnieszka Holland's biopic "Franz," premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, explores the life and legacy of Franz Kafka. The film employs styl...

Maya Arad's novel "Happy New Years" explores the life and growth of Leah Moskovich Zuckerman through an engaging epistolary format. As Leah writes annual Ros...

Jonah Raskin reflects on the enduring allure of Thomas Mann's novel "The Magic Mountain," coinciding with its recent translation for its upcoming centennial ...

Lilith magazine is calling for entries in its Annual Fiction Contest, inviting short stories up to 3,000 words from Jewish feminist writers. The contest seek...

Karen Bermann's book, "The Art of Being a Stranger," offers a unique fusion of memoir, art, and poetic reflection on her family history, focusing on her fath...

Franz Kafka's works resonate deeply with Jewish readers by reflecting the perpetual challenges and uncertainties of Jewish identity, exile, and faith. Kafka'...

Israeli-born author and playwright Maya Arad, acclaimed for her contributions to Hebrew literature, will discuss her latest book, "Happy New Years," during a...

Geraldine Brooks, renowned for her novels inspired by Jewish history, has been honored with the Library of Congress' 2025 Prize for American Fiction. Brooks,...

Yasmina Reza's novel "Serge," newly translated into English, delves into the complexities of family dynamics through the lens of a Holocaust memorial trip. T...

Eileen H. Watts explores George Eliot's novel "Daniel Deronda" as a reimagined Book of Exodus, emphasizing the novel's Zionist and philo-Semitic themes. The ...

Sasha Vasilyuk's debut novel, "Your Presence Is Mandatory," won the 2025 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature, drawing from the hidden Jewish identity and w...

Allegra Goodman reflects on the evolution of Jewish-American literature beyond the prominent figures of Saul Bellow and Philip Roth. Despite the assertion by...

This month's reading list from the 18Forty team showcases a diverse array of literary works across different genres and themes, reflecting the varied interes...

Aviya Kushner reviews Gabor T. Szanto's collection, "1945 and Other Stories," which explores life in post-Holocaust Hungary through deeply moving narratives....

Emily Tamkin reflects on her personal journey of reading the works of Italian Jewish writer Primo Levi as she prepares for motherhood. Enamored by Levi's exp...

Zelda Schneersohn Mishkovsky, a highly regarded Hebrew poet, is the subject of an insightful discussion between Tzipora and Baila Olidort. Although celebrate...

Francisco J. Bernal's essay "The Thing That Broke the Sabbath" creatively explores the tragic events of October 7, 2023, through a literary style inspired by...

Saul Bellow's reflection on the role of Jewish writers evokes the ancient tradition of Jewish prophecy as a means of grappling with societal decline and mora...

Chaim Potok's "The Chosen" is a seminal Jewish novel that explores the complexities of friendship across religious divides, set in 1940s Williamsburg. The st...

Sam Wachman's debut novel, "The Sunflower Boys," unfolds amidst the turmoil of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, offering a poignant narrative centered arou...

Toby Lloyd's novel 'Fervor' is a multifaceted exploration of a Jewish family's disintegration, blending elements of a coming-of-age story, mystery, and horro...

The legacy of Israeli poet Dahlia Ravikovitch is profoundly explored, emphasizing her wish that her life experiences be overshadowed by the enduring resonanc...

In an upcoming event by Hadassah Magazine, esteemed Israeli author Maya Arad will discuss her new book, "Happy New Years," in a conversation with Executive E...

Jacqueline Harpman, a Holocaust survivor and Belgian author, has gained posthumous fame as her novels garnered viral attention on TikTok. Born in 1929 and ha...

Acclaimed poet and professor Owen Lewis delves into the role of poetry in addressing trauma and grief following significant events such as the October 7th at...

During the Holocaust, Yiddish children's literature captured the spirit of resistance among young Jews facing Nazi oppression. A story from the anthology 'Ki...

Philip Roth is arguably one of the most controversial figures in modern Jewish literature, recognized for his provocative exploration of Jewish identity with...

August 12 marks the anniversary of the Night of the Murdered Poets, when in 1952, the Soviet regime executed 13 prominent Jewish intellectuals, including Yid...

18Forty's Rivka Bennun Kay curates a poignant list of books that explore the theme of grief and loss from various perspectives. This thoughtful selection fea...

In an era marked by xenophobia and distraction, re-engaging with Homer's 'Odyssey' through contemporary translations can offer fresh perspectives on timeless...

Emma Lazarus, born in 1849, is best known for her poem "The New Colossus," which redefined the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of hope for immigrants arriving ...

Sruli Fruchter discusses the challenge of understanding the complex, poetic narrative of Anne Michaels' 2023 novel, "Held," which explores love, memory, and ...

David G. Roskies explores the character of Tevye the Dairyman, as created by Sholem Aleichem, focusing on Tevye's unique approach to prayer or 'davening.' Te...

The summer 2025 letters section of the Jewish Review of Books features eclectic reader responses, including insights into Jewish themes in literature and phi...

The recently published collection of letters from Paul Celan to his wife, Gisèle Celan-Lestrange, and his son, Eric, illuminates the poet’s struggle to balan...

Stuart Nadler's novel "Rooms for Vanishing" intricately explores the impact of the Holocaust through the lens of a fragmented Viennese family, scattered acro...

In an insightful interview, Abraham Socher engages with renowned author Cynthia Ozick to explore her prolific writing career and her new collection, "In a Ye...

Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" is deeply intertwined with his Jewish heritage and personal experiences, particularly themes of fear, loss, surv...

Ruth Vanita's essay explores how Shakespeare, despite likely never having met a Jew, insightfully captured the roots of antisemitism through the character of...

Michael Kinnamon's novel "A Rooftop in Jerusalem" traces the longstanding love of its protagonist Daniel for the city of Jerusalem, despite its evolution ove...

Celebrating their lifelong friendship, Amy Gottlieb recounts her relationship with the celebrated playwright Richard Greenberg, offering glimpses into their ...

Carl Rollyson explores Sylvia Plath's complex and contradictory relationship with Judaism and Jewish identity. Despite Plath's occasional use of antisemitic ...

The Guide to Jewish Literature for July/August 2025 in Hadassah Magazine highlights notable Jewish books and authors, offering reviews and insights on recent...

Gary Shteyngart's newest novel, "Vera, or Faith," diverges from his earlier works by exploring a dystopian world through the eyes of a 10-year-old girl in Ne...

Misophonia by Dana Vowinckel, translated by Adrian Nathan West, is a compelling coming-of-age novel exploring the tumultuous journey of Margarita Fuchs, a te...

Esther Chehebar's debut novel "Sisters of Fortune" delves into the lives of three sisters in a Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn. Drawing parallels to Jane...