DeborahThe lost world of early 20th century Jewish life in Eastern Europe-of lively shtetls and ghetto streets-is known by many through the books of I. B. and I. J. Singer. But few know the Singers had a sister who was also a gifted writer and who saw this same world through a woman's eyes. Originally published in Yiddish in 1936, Esther Kreitman's vivid and poignant autobiographical novel follows the life of Deborah, a rabbi's daughter, from the ages of 14 to 18. Because she is a girl, Deborah is condemned to household chores, barred from the books she yearns for and destined for an arranged marriage. I. B. Singer has said that his sister Esther and her thwarted hunger for learning and experience inspired his story "Yentl." Wrtten with grace and passion, "Deborah" is a rare gem by a writer undervalued in her own time and too long forgotten in ours. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - BeyondEdenRock - LibraryThingWhen I picked this book up I knew nothing of the title or the author; I took it on trust, to add to my collection, because it was a green Virago Modern Classic. “All the world has heard of the great ... Read full review
Deborah (The Feminist Press at the City University of New York Series)
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictKreitman, sister of notable Yiddish scribes I.B. Singer and I.J. Singer, was also an established writer but was not well known. Originally published in Yiddish in 1936, her autobiographical novel ... Read full review