r/gayjews • u/Remarkable_Safe_1427 • 26d ago
Pop Culture Have any of you sapphics read this?
Hey...!! So I listen to a bunch of books. And in the past few years, I have been trying to listen and get books about israel and judaism (our history, our politics, and so on) but also this year I decided to read more stories written by jewish identifying authors. Stories that should have at least a bit of a jewish feel to them in their storytelling or whatever. Anyway... ive been getting into sapphic/lesbian romance books, and I cam across one recently about two young jewish women in DC during christmas time... and Im really sad about the way jewish identity is so ill explored in the book... the author keeps referring to the characters as "WASPS" (as if Jewish peopel can be WASP lmfao) and the only reason jewish identity comes up is in refernece to christmas ( "i hate hannukah because its all about capitalism because jews were sad to not get presents (meanwhile, doesnt mention the latkes or the lights or dreidl because who would mention those things when talking about hannukah?) and the mothers in it are just guilt tripping with new york accents) and its just.... antisemitic? Like im trying to be open minded... but this jewish author literally just wrote jewish characters who hate themselves and make themselves a joke. Thw worst prt is that the author is jewish and queer and should be able to recognize these things within their writing... needless to say.... i will not be reading anymore more Jake Maia Arlow. And will probably not finish "how to excavate a heart" rating of 0 out of 5. (Anyone want to start a jewish and gay reading book club? Lol)
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u/aliziafinola 25d ago
I would love a list of books you've enjoyed about Judaism, Israel, by Jewish authors, etc! That's such a disappointment about the book you were reading, it definitely sounds antisemitic :(
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u/Remarkable_Safe_1427 25d ago
I read sister of the winter wood by rena rossner, and really enjoyed the magical realism and play with fairy tales and shtetl life and coming of age. I also loved the mathematicians shiva by stuart rojstaczer which was a historical fiction with roots of soviet jewry and life. And then I read a letter to my plestinian neighbors by yossi klein halevi which was really beautiful, and ive read the other political books too- david badiels "Jews Dont Count" and Dara Horns "everybody loves dead jews", Einat Wilfs "we should all be zionists", and im trying to find more mizrahi and sphardi or jewish folklore influenced books. These are just a handful. Also-- I used that "blacklisted zionist authors list" as a place to find some authors i could feel good about getting into (know, i read all the ones the makers of that list say not to read)
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u/aliziafinola 24d ago
Thank you for sharing!! I've read the Rena Rossner one and I love pretty much everything by Dara Horn :)
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u/Remarkable_Safe_1427 24d ago
Ive been trying to get my hands on her novels, but the library where I am doesn't have them. But I'll find them soon, Im sure. That Rena Rossner book was great!! I loved the world she created.
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u/aliziafinola 24d ago
I tend to get them free off of bootleg sites like Libgen (Library Genesis), there are lots of really good books on there! I save up my money periodically and buy used copies of things but I just can't afford it all the time so this site has been a lifesaver, especially for books I had to read for university
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u/Well-Fed-Head 25d ago
That is super depressing! Finding queer Jewish authors should not be this difficult. Reminds me of the issues I have with "Nobody wants this" and their portrayal of Jewish women.
I would love a queer jewish book club!
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u/Remarkable_Safe_1427 21d ago
I just read "when the angels left the old country" per suggestions and holy shit was that a great read!! Def recommend
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u/Prior-Primary3830 11d ago edited 11d ago
I used to facilitate a queer Jewish book club at a Jewish library. But I haven’t been reading very much recently. Would definitely be interested in reading more in the area. Lots of material to choose from. More than you’d think.
Edit: although… it wasn’t all sapphic material we read. That would have been even better. If a book club comes out of this sign me up please.
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u/hotsauceandburrito 26d ago
good to know, i’ll avoid that author!
if you want other queer & jewish books, I just made a post yesterday about When The Angels Left The Old Country by Sacha Lamb and there were a ton of book recs in the comments there!!