Depictions of Jewish women in fiction or memoir by Jewish female writers prior to the late 19th century and the first decades of the 20th were rare, whether in English or translation were rare gems.

Even if the works discussed ahead weren’t the most brilliant by the highest of  literary standards, all are eminently readable, and completely fascinating —that is, if you’re lucky enough to find them.

Working back from Vera Caspary’s Thicker Than Water (1932) to Amy Levy’s controversial Reuben Sachs (1888), these often autobiographical  novels  offer gritty, realistic portraits of Jewish family and romantic life of their times. Read More→