Tenement Saga: The Lower East Side and Early Jewish American Writers » (1st Edition)

Sanford Sternlicht, author of many books, including Student Companion to Elie Wiesel and Chaim Potok: A Critical Companion, is professor of English at Syracuse University. This book draws upon Sternlicht’s popular talks and lessons to students on field trips to the Lower East Side, where they experience its sights, sounds, history, and monuments (such as the famous Katz’s Deli).

Based on a course that includes a field trip to Manhattan's Lower East Side, Sternlight (English, Syracuse U.) traces the roots of modern Jewish American literature to this former Jewish ghetto. Mixing childhood memories with a social history of the 1882-1924 immigration period, the author describes many aspects of tenement life that inspired writers including Abraham Cahan, Anzia Yezierska, and Henry Roth. He presents synopses of the lives and major works of 14 writers, and notes their cultural/literary legacy. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR