The Planet of the Jews [Paperback]

Philip Graubart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999

Planet of the Jews is a story within a story. After all, when Judah Loeb, a New York comic book editor, receives a manuscript from a strange Hasidic couple, he thinks nothing of it. Until he reads it. Then, suddenly, Judah is caught up in an enchanting sci-fi fable of the future, a time when Jews, once again, are persecuted and driven not only out of their lands, but off Earth and onto a strange new world. Not only do the characters in this story (and its sequels) mirror Judah’s life, but they provide him with material that becomes the best selling comic novels of all time.

What makes Planet of the Jews so fascinating is its unique format—not only do you read Judah’s story, but you read the story. And not only is Judah’s story interesting, but the plight of the thousands of Jews who must live and thrive so far away is unlike anything you’ve ever read.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In contemporary New York City, comic-book editor Judah Loeb gets a visit that turns out to be more like a visitation. A young Hasidic couple, Moishe and Esther Cassanofsky, present him with a story about Jews forced into a new diaspora in interstellar space, to escape Ukrainian neo-Nazis. The story becomes a hit, Loeb's editor clamors for more, and more appears--stories about the Jewish settlers failing to prevent the Holocaust through time travel, about their being visited by cheerfully larcenous aliens who take up Judaism with enthusiasm, about talking to the dead. By now the "Planet of the Jews" series is a Star Wars-size phenomenon, Loeb is a millionaire and massive conversions to Judaism are taking place. Then the Cassanofskys present a final story, with a strong note of "It was all a dream," leaving Loeb high and dry. This novel says a good deal about the Holocaust (through the ramblings of Loeb's Uncle Max), Jewish identity, anti-Semitism and religious observance, but in a scattershot fashion. And in spite of the occasional touches of humor, Graubart is unable to achieve much credibility with plot elements already tired out from equally didactic use in conventional SF. (June) FYI: Graubart is a rabbi in Massachusetts.

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"...very inventive and funny. A wonderfully creative look at Jewish life." -- Julius Lester,Author of And All our Wounds Forgiven

"Planet of the Jews is one of the most thoroughly original, provocative, and delightful novels I have read in years." -- Jay Neugeboren Author, The Stolen Jew and Imagining Robert

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 201 pages
• Publisher: Creative Arts Book Company (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887391869
• ISBN-13: 978-0887391866
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,406,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting marriage of theology and sci-fi, January 18, 2000

By 

David Mednicoff "mednic" (Amherst, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Planet of the Jews (Paperback)

Similar to C.S. Lewis, Rabbi Graubart situates a sci-fi story (stories, really) in a distinctly Jewish theological frame. The book's structure as story variations on a theme itself conforms to historical Jewish textual tradition, and the juxtaposition of science fiction and religious motifs works quite well. The book is easy to read, contains several imaginative premises and made me wish it were longer. An unpredictable, provocative ending adds interest, and even a little darkness, to the work. All in all, a very worthwhile read to anyone interested in Judaism or science fiction.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars L'Chaim, February 20, 2000

By 

stephen arons "professor emeritus of legal st... (Massachusetts, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Planet of the Jews (Paperback)

The story line and the writing are both outstanding; and Graubart's sense of humor adds something playful to a profound exploration of the human condition and the struggle to make the world (and oneself) a little better. I could not put the book down, and afterwards felt a keen desire to study with its author. Reading this book also energized my thinking about Torah study, though I believe that Planet of the Jews stands nicely on its own as an exciting and well-crafted science fiction story that changes the lense of our world view enough to make the reader think in a new way about some once and future issues.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Outrageous fun, August 2, 2001

By 

Travel Writer ""looking for the next grea... (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Planet of the Jews (Paperback)

This is such an exciting venture. I am actually only two-thirds of the way through, it is getting a little "out there" but I have the feeling that there is a reason for that. I normally am not a science fiction reader, but the comic book editor segments keep it grounded. Can't wait to find out what "the meaning" of all of this is!