The first anthology of its kind in our century, 18 Jewish Stories, edited by Nora Gold, traces the borders of contemporary Jewish literature. The multilingualism at the root of this volume is evident not only in its eighteen different source languages, but in that many of these languages are themselves permeated by other languages (often Hebrew and Yiddish, but not only). Setting aside any presumption to define the elusive Jewish condition, one issue proves to thread through many of the storiesthat of belonging. However, given the scope of this anthology, the question of belonging is not limited to a place, a family, even a nation. It encompasses belonging in language, to language, and through language.
Lital Abazon, Journal of Modern Jewish Studies
Golds methodical approach in soliciting work is apparent both from the breadth of sources and from the caliber of work. The prose collected here is eminently worth spending time with. While undoubtedly fear and persecution have been a part of Jewish lives for centuries, and very much remain with us today, other storiesmost notably, penned by women in this bookhighlight resilience and strength of their characters, their hunger for knowledge, justice, and connection with others. Stepping away from this collection, I find myself deeply moved, edified by having learned of new writers to follow, and convinced by Gold that I need to pay more attention to Jewish fiction written around the globe.
Olga Zilberbourg, The Montréal Review, October 2024
Gold... collects a remarkably diverse array of translated Jewish stories and novel excerpts... This broad and wide-ranging anthology is a fitting ode to the nearly inexhaustible richness and strength of the Jewish multilingual tradition."
Publishers Weekly
The stories Gold has chosen are almost uniformly gripping. Not only do their plots compel and the skill of their respective translators astonish; they also move the reader to reflect on the multifarious moral dilemmas that have faced the Jewish people, both as Jews and simply as human beings, in all the lands of their dispersion and at all phases of their history. There is variety and delight in these stories, whose provenance circles the globe. Deeper still is their reflection on the soul of an ancient people spinning dizzily in a modern world.
Rabbi David Wolpe, Los Angeles Review of Books
Edited by Nora Gold, the book delivers on its promise to share beautifully crafted fiction that transports readers across the globe in fifteen minutes or fewer. This book serves as a testament to the power of translation.
Deborah Miller, Jewish Book Council
What a treasure!
Alberto Manguel, Director of the National Library of the Argentine Republic
[ F]iction, particularly when it reflects the diverse experience of Jewish life throughout the world, gives readers the power to know more and expand the perspectives of the Jewish world we thought we knew. Buy this anthology particularly if you consider yourself a lover of Jewish literature. Its an outstanding introduction to the rich diversity that exists in Jewish writing around the world these days.
Aaron Howard, Jewish Herald-Voice
What the translations of these pieces show is that there is spiritual unity among the themes expressed in these stories that identify them with the bitter-sweet and tragic history of the Jewish people. Five stars.
Chicago Book Review
"Through its transcendent, rangy, and unforgettable stories, Golds inclusion of a chorus of different voices and perspectives challenges the monolithic way people think about not just Jewish literature but Jewish people."
Niv Magazine
This is a landmark anthology. Nora Gold is a remarkable pioneer who has my heartfelt admiration.
Cynthia Ozick
This book by Nora Gold is like a treasure chest of marvels, each story a gem from a different time and place. There are living marvels here from so many times and places and voices and experiences that every readers idea of Jewish literature will have to be fargresert un farbesertenlarged and improved.
Dara Horn, award-winning author of People Love Dead Jews and Eternal Life
Rich and varied, 18: Jewish Stories Translated from 18 Languages reminds us how diverse the Jewish experience is. For anyone interested in Jewish literature, it's a must-read book and an important addition to the Jewish literary canon.
Joshua Henkin, Winner of the Edward Lewis Wallant Award for American Jewish Fiction
With this remarkable book, Dr. Gold makes a signal contribution to the current state and study of contemporary Jewish literature. Her anthology offers readers a world tour of Jewish literatures in one volume: 18 works that are of consistently high quality and represent numerous linguistic traditions. I know of no other anthology like this. It deserves significant critical attention and certainly will be of interest to teachers, students, and readers of Jewish literature, comparative literature, and world literature.
Adam Rovner, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English & Jewish Literature, and Director, Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver
One thing is for certain: whether winners of the Nobel Prize or secret scribblers in remote Eastern European shtetls (or both), these writers have clung to their Judaism as if to their very being. Yet, ironically, it is this clinging to identity which makes this collection so universal. They are saying that, in all of the best and worst circumstances, this is who we are and who we shall remain. Nothing can change that. What a treat it is to hear the voices from far and wide affirming our humanity.
Joseph Kertes, Winner of a Canadian National Jewish Book Award and the U.S. National Jewish Book Award for Fiction
18: Jewish Stories Translated from 18 Languages explores the modern Jewish identity through the lenses of brutally honest writers. This luminous collection brims with unsettling glimpses of relatable moments, with evocative characters struggling to make sense of a mutable world. A crucial addition to Jewish fiction and an ideal book club choice, with countless themes for discussion.
Shelly Sanders, Bestselling author of Daughters Of The Occupation (Harper Collins, 2022)
With editorial aplomb and resourcefulness, Gold has selected a wide variety of stories culled from the Jewish Diaspora. To shift the Biblical paradigm, one could also imagine the multicoloured mosaic on the cover as a Josephs coat of many colours whose fabric is on display in each of these stories. That garment may be torn or mended stitched together and stretched across the linguistic spectrum of the Diaspora. From the Tower of Babel to Isaac Babel, Nora Golds 18 is a treasure-trove of translated stories.
Michael Greenstein, The Miramichi Reader
Nora Golds 18: Jewish Stories Translated from 18 Languages is a multilingual journey through Jewish culture. Golds curation allows readers to explore the vastness of Jewish culture through the eyes of renowned authors, offering a collection that is not only culturally enriching but also universally resonant. And it is not just for Jewish readers; it is a must-read for all lovers of stories illuminating the human experience in all its complexity. Nora Golds meticulous curation and the anthologys unique features make it a standout contribution to the world of literary collections, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Jewish literature.
Norm Goldman, BookPleasures
Readers interested in Jewish literature will find much to enjoy in 18. The anthology definitely shows the richness of Jewish fiction across the world.
Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamtons The Reporter
The stories reflect a wide range of styles and themes, from a diversity of modern and contemporary authors. The book includes a helpful introduction, a listing of copyright credits, and brief biographical sketches of the authors and translators. The stories reflect the Jewish experience in different times, places, and settings. The anthology is an interesting, useful addition to Jewish fiction collections in academic, public, and synagogue libraries.
Susan Freiband, AJL News & Reviews
