Customer Reviews

Schmelvis: In Search of Elvis Presley's Jewish Roots

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I just finished reading Schmelvis, and, it really is a funny, clever little book. It's totally not your run-in-the-mill novel-- it reads like a travel log, with little tidbits from all the characters, and you really get to know them. It's sort of an anti-novel-- a story in search of a story. The characters are so hilariously believable, that you totally believe they have no idea what they're doing or thinking. It's got dialogues from the film, and the director's notes, and random other stuff, like an appendix called "who's who of famous jews." The book totally takes on this distinct personality-- like it's not about elvis presley at all, and not about a static answer, but more about the journey, the getting there. most of all, it made me laugh. i didn't really know what to expect when i picked it up, but this book is totally cool. haven't seen the film yet, but i totally want to now.

This books is really, really funny. Not really about Elvis' Jewish roots but more of a quest for identity. Composed of script bits from the film's (of the same name) production, entries in journals, and little anecdotes about the cast and crew, this book is really the funniest book I've ever read. I highly recommend it.

I expected more from the author, as he has proven himself to be an excellent essayist on This American Life. Maybe I would have liked it more if I hadn't already heard some of his better material.

To be Jewish one most either convert or, at a minimum, have a Jewish mother. Elvis did not have a jewish mother. Elvis was not a convert. Elvis was a Christian. He may have had a great-great-grandmother who was Jewish but that does not make one a Jew. The authors obviously had far too much free time on their hands.