Feeling Jewish
by Devorah Baum
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About This Book
In this sparkling debut, a young critic offers an original, passionate, and erudite account of what it means to feel Jewish—even when you’re not. Self-hatred. Guilt. Resentment. Paranoia. Hysteria. Overbearing Mother-Love. In this witty, insightful, and poignant book, Devorah Baum delves into fiction, film, memoir, and psychoanalysis to present a dazzlingly original exploration of a series of feelings famously associated with modern Jews. Reflecting on why Jews have so often been depicted, both
Our Review
This sharp, insightful exploration of Jewish emotional life examines the complex feelings that have become culturally associated with Jewish identity—from guilt and self-hatred to hysteria and overbearing mother-love. Through fiction, film, memoir, and psychoanalysis, the author presents a fresh perspective on what it means to feel Jewish, even for those who aren't Jewish by religion or heritage, offering an erudite yet accessible analysis of modern Jewish consciousness.
What makes this debut particularly compelling is how it moves beyond academic theory to connect with universal human experiences while remaining grounded in specific cultural contexts. The book's brilliance lies in its ability to make readers recognize these emotional patterns in themselves and their communities, regardless of background. Anyone interested in identity, cultural psychology, or the intersection of personal feeling and collective experience will find this work both intellectually stimulating and deeply resonant long after the final page.
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