Foreskin's Lament - Shalom Auslander

Foreskin's Lament

By Shalom Auslander

  • Release Date: 2007-10-04
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 66 Ratings

Description

A New York Times Notable Book, and a “chaotic, laugh riot” (San Francisco Chronicle) of a memoir.

Shalom Auslander was raised with a terrified respect for God. Even as he grew up and was estranged from his community, his religion and its traditions, he could not find the path to a life where he didn’t struggle daily with the fear of God’s formidable wrath. Foreskin’s Lament reveals Auslander’s “painfully, cripplingly, incurably, miserably religious” youth in a strict, socially isolated Orthodox Jewish community, and recounts his rebellion and efforts to make a new life apart from it. His combination of unrelenting humor and anger renders a rich and fascinating portrait of a man grappling with his faith and family.

Reviews

  • Sad Dude

    4
    By steirve
    Actually enjoyed the book and related to it quite a bit. Like the author, I grew up in Monsey NY as an orthodox Jew and attended the same synagogue and day school. I too have issues with god, not sure he exists actually and if he does i don't think he gives a crap what a person eats. Difference is that the author seems to have had a horrible upbringing which is why he is so bitter. I am no longer observant but have a great relationship with my family despite the fact that I feel that they are a bit fanatic. The author really points out the problems with how judaism is taught in day schools and is a prime- example of what can happen when the methods backfire ... To the author, chill out, life is too short to be so obsessive over something that is truly unknown.
  • Good one, foreskin Autch!land

    5
    By bennycs
    Easy to read, conveying feelings and emotions directly, as well as Jewish ways of life, thanks God!? that are valid for only a very small part of Jewish population. Although, very few would challenge it as the author does. I enjoyed it very much. A good one!