As might be expected from this fiercely provocative writer, David
Mamet’s interest in anti-Semitism is not limited to the modern face of
an ancient hatred but encompasses as well the ways in which many Jews
have themselves internalized that hatred. Using the metaphor of the
Wicked Son at the Passover Seder–the child who asks, “What does this
story mean to you?”–Mamet confronts what he sees as an insidious
predilection among some Jews to seek truth and meaning anywhere–in other
religions, in political movements, in mindless entertainment–but in
Judaism itself. At the same time, he explores the ways in which the
Jewish tradition has long been and still remains the Wicked Son in the
eyes of the world. Written with the searing honesty and verbal brilliance that is the hallmark of Mamet’s work, The Wicked Son is a scathing look at one of the most destructive and tenacious forces in contemporary life, a powerfully thought-provoking and important book.
Many people know Shalom Auslander from his appearance on This American Life. Many have waited for this memoir to be published ever since. A hysterically funny and heartbreakingly honest journey through his childhood and his struggles with his family, his community, and God. For anyone who's ever felt like you were born on the wrong planet, this is a book you'll treasure.
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