Foreskin's Lament
A Memoir
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4.3 • 68 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
A New York Times Notable Book, and a “chaotic, laugh riot” (San Francisco Chronicle) of a memoir.
Shalom Auslander was raised with a terrified respect for God. Even as he grew up and was estranged from his community, his religion and its traditions, he could not find the path to a life where he didn’t struggle daily with the fear of God’s formidable wrath. Foreskin’s Lament reveals Auslander’s “painfully, cripplingly, incurably, miserably religious” youth in a strict, socially isolated Orthodox Jewish community, and recounts his rebellion and efforts to make a new life apart from it. His combination of unrelenting humor and anger renders a rich and fascinating portrait of a man grappling with his faith and family.
Customer Reviews
Sad Dude
Actually enjoyed the book and related to it quite a bit. Like the author, I grew up in Monsey NY as an orthodox Jew and attended the same synagogue and day school. I too have issues with god, not sure he exists actually and if he does i don't think he gives a crap what a person eats. Difference is that the author seems to have had a horrible upbringing which is why he is so bitter.
I am no longer observant but have a great relationship with my family despite the fact that I feel that they are a bit fanatic. The author really points out the problems with how judaism is taught in day schools and is a prime- example of what can happen when the methods backfire ...
To the author, chill out, life is too short to be so obsessive over something that is truly unknown.
FANTASTIC!!
Shalom is a modern satirist that reminds me of Vonnegut. I’m a 54 year old recovering catholic who is on a similar journey. May Shalom not be killed by God!!
A good memoir
It’s definitely a good memoir but you need to read the story and not get hung up on the vulgar language.