In Every Laugh A Tear [Paperback]

Lesléa Newman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

Shayna Steinblatt, a nice Jewish dyke, is falling in love with Liz, a Puerto Rican butch with bedroom eyes. But her main concern is her beloved bubbe (grandmother) who has been trundled off to a nursing home. The lessons Shayna learns about aging and the process of letting go of life, are a gentle, tissue-sopping and humorous education for us all.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In Every Laugh A Tear is a very special book. Make space in your life to read it and give it to all your friends, gay or not, goy or not. An irresistible, quintessential, Big lesbian novel. --Lee Lynch

In Every Laugh A Tear is a superb novel. Leslea Newman's writing is gift to everyone who loves to read. --Bay Area Reporter

About the Author

Leslea Newman is the author of over twenty-five books, including novels, short story collections, poetry collections, humor and children's books. Her literary awards include a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. She lives in western Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: New Victoria Publishers (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0934678928
• ISBN-13: 978-0934678926
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,721,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lesléa Newman is the author of 64 books for readers of all ages including the middle grade novel, HACHIKO WAITS, the poetry collection, STILL LIFE WITH BUDDY, the short story collection, A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK, and the children's books A SWEET PASSOVER, THE BOY WHO CRIED FABULOUS, THE BEST CAT IN THE WORLD, DONOVAN'S BIG DAY, and HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES. Her literary awards include poetry fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation. Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists. A past poet laureate of Northampton, Massachusetts, she is a faculty member of Spalding University's brief-residency MFA in Writing program.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Touching and True to Life, August 1, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Every Laugh A Tear (Paperback)

With dialogue that was, at times, less than smooth, and carrying perhaps a bit too much detail, still, Leslea Newman's In Every Laugh A Tear is a wonderful book. It is a believable and touching story of one woman's experience with having a loved one placed in a nursing home. Shayna Steinblatt and her beloved Bubbe, Tzeidl are so real I found I was immediately connected to their lives. The loving granddaughter, Shayna Steinblatt isn't part of the decision to place her grandmother in a home, and as this story unfolds, the reader will share her concern and anger over the situation. I also sympathized with Bubbe and her loss of freedom. Told from the daughter's perspective, the woman who'd made the "nursing home decision" (Shayna's mother) is painted in villainous colors. The reader will admit however that such a decision never sets well, even when it is "for the best." Leslea Newman did an excellent job of addressing an issue not many books address, and she did it with heart, humor, and realism. I would have liked more details on the grandmother's life as a girl growing up in the old country, but loved the snippets that WERE included. I also appreciated the veracity of "community" as it was depicted in the nursing home setting. It's amazing how quickly friendships and a sort of family develop in this setting. It is clear in this book, that this community is vital for the resident's survival. The only character that wasn't fully drawn was Shayna's own mother. This may very well reflect the fact that Shayna herself does not have a full picture of her mother. It's unfortunately true that we don't always see clearly those we are closest to... Through conversations with her grandmother, Shayna catches a glimpse of what the relationship between a mother and daughter could be. The lesbian angle of this book was a joy and added additional truth to the story for me. True romance, a true sense of family, humor, sorrow, this one has it all.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars true to it's title....., October 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: In Every Laugh A Tear (Paperback)

What caught my eye about this book was it's title. The relationships in this book are what alot of people wish they had in their lives. Shayna has many best friends, her Bubbe, her friend, Pearl, and her lover, Luz. The relationship she has with her mother is something I think alot of people can relate to, and understand. the conflicts that arise, and the love that is shown when they do, shows alot humaness. We should all be this lucky in our own lives as to have such meaningful and wonderful friendships, whether it is with our mother, grandmother, friend, or lover. This book is a must read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars loved it, June 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: In Every Laugh a Tear (Paperback)

not many books tuched me the way this book has, and i am forever faithful to Leslea Newman. She is a combination i love: Agreat and talented writer, a woman, a jewess and a proud lesbian.I am looking forward a new book of hers.