25 Questions for a Jewish Mother (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Kate Moira Ryan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stand-up comic Gold won two Emmy Awards for writing and producing The Rosie O'Donnell Show. Teaming with playwright Ryan, Gold developed a one-woman show based on interviews conducted across America with more than 50 Jewish women of different ages and occupations. When Gold's 70-minute monologue became a sold-out hit at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival, it was promoted as "a comic's personal journey to find love, laughter and acceptance as a Jewish mother with two kids and a nagging Jewish mother of her own." On stage, she created characters inspired by the interviews and wove in her own experiences, now expanded into this anecdotal autobiography. For Gold, there are no taboo topics. The 25 chapters range from "Have you ever experienced anti-Semitism?" and "Were you or any of your relatives affected by the Holocaust?" to "How many times a day do you call your children?" and "Why do you think Jewish mothers are the butt of so many jokes?" The q&a serves as a springboard for essays exploring her past, reflecting on everything from growing up in New Jersey to performing before hecklers. Her fluid writing, engaging and entertaining, balances between poignant and humorous memories. 25 cartoon illus. (May 1)
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Review

"Fiercely funny, honest, and moving." -- New York Times

"Her mother must be so proud." -- Village Voice

"Nimble and often deeply affecting . . . A genuine mitzvah." -- Time Out New York

"This book is the greatest, even the goyim agree!" -- Joy Behar

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Voice (April 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401303110
• ISBN-13: 978-1401303112
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #732,957 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A laugh on every page, June 11, 2007

By	Donna C. West "donnawest" (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am not even Jewish and I loved it. Everyone can appreciate this funny and heartwarming books about moms.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining read for mothers of all faiths, May 20, 2007

By	pnina (Arizona) - See all my reviews

From the minute I received this book in the mail, I could not put it down until I finished reading every hilarious chapter. Being a Jewish mother I did feel some guilt that I put my family on hold till I read the entire book. The anecdotes are poignant, touching and very entertaning all at the same time. I highly recommend this easy read to Jewish mothers and non Jewish mothers alike. In fact what a great Mothers Day gift, or Bat Mitzvah gift this would make!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, June 14, 2007

By	Holly Poindexter (Brooklyn, New York USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a funny, big hearted, sensitive, intelligent, straightforward look at so much more than you might guess from the title. I think I just ran out of superlatives, so read the book and enjoy!