Sunday Jews
Sunday Jews
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1971
Book Brief
694
Novel • Fiction
New York • Mid-20th Century
1971
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Sunday Jews by Hortense Calisher follows matriarch Zipporah Duffy, née Zangwill, as she grieves her beloved husband, Peter, amid the complexities of upper-middle-class New York life, diverse beliefs, and family dynamics. Through nursing Peter and eventually coping with his loss, Zipporah reflects on faith, identity, and her family's multifaceted struggles, weaving their diverse stories together. The novel features issues like senile dementia and death.
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Emotional
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
73 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Sunday Jews by Hortense Calisher explores the nuanced lives of secular American Jews through a series of interconnected stories. Critics appreciate the rich character development and eloquent prose. However, some find the narrative structure disjointed and challenging to follow. Overall, the book is praised for its insightful examination of identity and tradition.
Who Should Read Sunday Jews?
Readers who enjoy intricate family sagas and explorations of cultural identity will appreciate Hortense Calisher's Sunday Jews. Comparable to Philip Roth's American Pastoral and Chaim Potok's The Chosen, this novel appeals to those intrigued by the complexities of Jewish-American life and intergenerational dynamics.
73 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
694
Novel • Fiction
New York • Mid-20th Century
1971
Adult
18+ years
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