Review: The Jew Store
Editorial Review - Kirkus ReviewsIn this first book by a retired book reviewer for the Miami Herald, Suberman recounts the story of her family's sojourn as the only Jews in a rural Tennessee town in the 1920s. When Aaron and Reba Bronson arrived in Concordia, Tenn., (Suberman changed the town's name for the book) in 1920 to establish a dry-goods store, the hamlet had a population of 5,318 and the expectations of more to come when a new shoe factory was slated to open shortly after. Of those 5,318, almost all were God-fearing Christians of one denomination or another. The vast majority had never seen a Jew but ""knew"" that the Jews had horns and had killed Jesus. Yet the response of the town to the presence of the Bronsons turns out to be, for the vast majority, a bemused tolerance growing in many cases into outright love. When the Depression threatens the town, it is Aaron who proves to be the best ""Christian"" of them all, simply by being the most resourceful and caring of men. The Jew Store is as much a book about Jewish fear of Christian hostility as a story of overcoming anti-Semitism; Suberman is admirably frank about her mother's fears of the townspeople, which are no less destructive than the few manifestations of genuine hostility. The town is populated with the sort of colorful characters that a novelist dreams of creating, from the Northern-educated wealthy spinster agnostic who befriends the Bronsons to her overbearing, overweight, Klan-loving cousin, who is the local real estate magnate. The book is by turns charming, funny, and moving, artfully but simply written and invested with a warm glow of family love. An admirable debut by Suberman, vividly told and captivating in its humanity.
Review: The Jew Store
User Review - Ashley - GoodreadsThe Jew Store by Stella Suberman was a recommendation I came across on GoodReads. After about 50 pages I wasn't loving this book. The story was interesting enough, but the writing wasn't too stellar ... Read full review
Review: The Jew Store
User Review - Ann - GoodreadsThis was a great book. A look at life in Tennessee, in the early 1900s from one of the family members and their story. It is always sad to hear of the mistreatment of other human beings, even if was in a different time. Very well presented. Read full review
Review: The Jew Store
User Review - Leslie - GoodreadsThis memoir was interesting, but was really hard to get through for some reason. Could probably have been 25% shorter and told the same story. I did enjoy learning about the life of a Jewish family in the South during that time period. Read full review
Review: The Jew Store
User Review - Randi - GoodreadsThis is the second time I read this book, in order to review it for a group at our synagogue. I found it engaging, and touching. It feels like the story of most immigrants. Read full review
Review: The Jew Store
User Review - Liz - GoodreadsI enjoy reading about the south and about Jewish families, making this book interesting to read. However, I probably wouldn't read it again, and it did not leave me with any strong emotional feelings or inspiration. Definitely worth one read though. Read full review
Review: The Jew Store
User Review - Cheri - GoodreadsDownloaded this book to my IPad. Grabbed me right away...always nice after finishing a fantastic book. Usually it's too hard for me to find a good book after finishing a fantastic book. Read full review
Review: The Jew Store
User Review - Melissa - GoodreadsA nice memoir with plenty to talk about in it. Read full review
Review: The Jew Store
User Review - Darlene - GoodreadsI enjoyed this book. I would probably give it 3 1/2 stars. It was a sweet family story which I enjoy. The Mother in the story sort of drove me crazy and I wanted her to be more positive but overall I enjoyed the book! Read full review
Review: The Jew Store
User Review - Rachel Nislick - GoodreadsMeh. It was good but could have been deeper with more to it. It almost feels like there was some stuff omitted like more southern conflict, anti-Jewish sentiment but none of that was there. I did very ... Read full review
