News and commentary posted in the Book Reviews section of Jewish Literary Review.
October 10, 2011
Author Babette Hughes set her new novel in Jewish Cleveland at the start of the Great Depression. The Hat is a pretty good yarn that centers on Kate Brady, a young lady who’s looking for some stability after losing her … Continue reading
December 6, 2010
Geraldine Brooks‘ latest novel, People of the Book, is a fictional account of the history of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah. The haggadah has become something of a symbol for pluralism and religious tolerance because of its unique history. Brooks, who … Continue reading
November 17, 2010
The reviews of Adam Levin‘s new book, The Instructions, tend to let you know two things up front: first, it’s pretty good for a debut novel. Second, it’s very long (1,030 pages). Don’t let that scare you though. Book blogger … Continue reading
October 21, 2010
About midway through Joan Leegant‘s new novel, Wherever You Go, the plot starts to look predictable. But, let me reassure you, gentle reader: the book ends in a way you would not have guessed. It’s a wonderful narrative that explores … Continue reading
August 22, 2010
I have never gone to a church service in my life. To be honest, I can’t even say I’ve been curious. If anything, I don’t even like the fact that I have to go into a church to vote on … Continue reading
April 3, 2009
Aharon Appelfeld's new novel, “Laish,” was reviewed last week in the New York Times by novelist Barry Unsworth. He apparently like the book, calling it “strikingly original,” and comparing it to some of the early work of Ernest Hemingway. Here's … Continue reading
January 19, 2009
Portnoy’s Complaint is a book by Philip Roth that helped bring its author widespread critical and commercial success. Published in 1969, the book tells the story of Alexander Portnoy, a 33-year-old Jewish bachelor, civil rights lawyer and New Jersey native. … Continue reading
June 19, 2008
The Vel d’Hiv had been an indoor cycling track located near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Built in the early part of the last century, it was used over the years for everything from six-day bicycle races to ice hockey, … Continue reading
June 16, 2008
The Yishuv suffered about 6,000 dead in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and historian Benny Morris appears to have attempted to account for every last one of them in his new book, 1948: The First Arab-Israeli War. Arab casualty figures are … Continue reading
May 15, 2008
Whenever I write a book review, I try to come up with a catchy lede. The idea is to lure you in so that you'll read all the way to the end and I will have communicated my point about … Continue reading
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Jewish Literary Review.com is a blog that covers Jewish writing, philosophy, history and law. The site publishes book reviews, snippets of news about Jewish literature and the occasional author interview.
My name is Steven H. Pollak and I have written for the Baltimore Jewish Times, the Atlanta Jewish Times, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and American Jewish Life magazine.
In addition, I've written for several legal and business publications. At the moment, I work as SEO editor for an environmental news Web site.
Please send me an email if you'd like to pitch a book for review or if you want to send a review copy. ...Continue reading about this site.
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