Five Thoughts On Sam Apple’s TABLET Story

red-31980_640“The Butcher of Desire; or Imagining Philip Roth” is a “longform” piece by Sam Apple, recently published in Tablet magazine as part of Tablet‘s “original fiction” series. It is a brilliant piece of writing. I read it days ago, and I am still thinking about it.

Which made me wonder: What is it about this piece that I find so striking? How and why is this work so significant to me?

I’ve come up with five possible answers. (more…)

Pre-Shabbat Jewish Literary Links

Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
Every Friday My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • “It is my deepest wish that I have honoured those who were lost – including my grandfather – with this novel.” Suzanne Reisman explains what having her novel manuscript longlisted for the Bath Novel Award means to her.
  • This week brought the June Jewish Book Carnival, hosted by Life Is Like a Library.
  • Israeli author Etgar Keret is making the rounds promoting his new book, a memoir. Listen to his interview with Terry Gross.
  • Over on the Fig Tree Books blog, I introduce a new review of work by author Gerald Green (1922-2006).
  • And also Fig Tree-related: Enter this Goodreads giveaway for the next FTB title, Ben Nadler’s The Sea Beach Line.
  • Shabbat Shalom.

    Pre-Shabbat Jewish Literary Links

    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Every Friday My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • Steve Stern, on being “in search of the lost Jews of Memphis, Tennessee.” (h/t @AngloJewishLit) See also Alan Cheuse’s review of Stern’s newest novel.
  • Ongoing (until July 21): a Goodreads giveaway for Linda K. Wertheimer’s forthcoming book Faith Ed: Teaching About Religion in an Age of Intolerance.
  • Catch up with Fig Tree Books–now publishing fiction and memoir on American Jewish Experience–in the latest newsletter, which went out to subscribers yesterday.
  • Very much worth viewing: this week’s Jewish Women’s Archive book club session with Tova Mirvis.
  • And my weekend tbr list: new fiction by Sam Apple, courtesy of Tablet (apparently, it involves Philip Roth).
  • Shabbat shalom!

    Pre-Shabbat Jewish Literary Links

    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Every Friday My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • If Saul Bellow were still alive, he’d be about to turn 100. The Fig Tree Books blog takes note, with some fresh considerations of some of Bellow’s novels.
  • Herman Wouk, on the other hand, has just celebrated his 100th birthday. In a lovely essay for The Forward, Judy Bolton-Fasman recalls why her father wouldn’t let her read Wouk’s Marjorie Morningstar.
  • Another excellent essay that caught my attention this week: Maxim D. Shrayer’s reflections on Arthur Miller’s Incident at Vichy, over on Tablet.
  • A hearty, collective Mazal Tov to all of the publications and writers honored by this year’s Simon Rockower Awards from the American Jewish Press Association.
  • Last, but perhaps not least: I’m extremely proud of this new review of Léon Blum: Prime Minister, Socialist, Zionist, over on The Barnes & Noble Review.
  • Shabbat shalom.

    Pre-Shabbat Jewish Literary Links

    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen

    Every Friday My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • The May Jewish Book Carnival went live this week. It’s a great one.
  • Over on the Fig Tree Books blog, we took note of Herman Wouk’s approaching 100th birthday.
  • Congregation B’nai Israel in Rumson, N.J., is looking for a part-time librarian/library coordinator.
  • The American Jewish Congress is advertising for a Social Media Coordinator to work from its New York City offices.
  • New Jersey Jewish News features a Q&A with Letty Cottin Pogrebin on the occasion of her new novel’s publication.
  • Shabbat shalom, and have a joyous Shavuot.