Lost Shtetl: A Novel

A remarkable debut novel about a small Jewish village in the Polish forest that is so secluded that no one knows it exists until now. When a marriage dispute spins out of control, the whole town comes crashing into the twenty-first century.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 416 pages
\n Publication date: 28 October 2021
\n Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
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Winner of the National Jewish Book Award and the Jewish Fiction Award from the Association of Jewish Libraries, this remarkable debut novel is written with the fearless imagination of Michael Chabon and the piercing humor of Gary Shteyngart. Set in a secluded Jewish village in the Polish forest, the story revolves around a small community that has managed to exist in isolation for decades, untouched by the Holocaust and the Cold War. However, when a marriage dispute spirals out of control, the whole town is thrust into the twenty-first century, facing a world that has completely changed.

Pesha Lindauer, who has just gone through an ugly and acrimonious divorce, suddenly disappears, setting off a panic among the town elders. They send an unprepared outcast named Yankel Lewinkopf out into the wider world to alert the Polish authorities. As Yankel ventures beyond the safety of Kreskol, he is confronted with the beauty and the ravages of the modern-day outside world, receiving a confusing mix of disbelief, condescension, and unexpected kindness. When the truth finally surfaces, his story and the existence of Kreskol make headlines nationwide.

Returning Yankel to Kreskol, the Polish government plans to reintegrate the town that time forgot. However, as they delve into the devious origins of its disappearance, they uncover a dark secret that threatens to unravel the town's peaceful existence. The mystery of Pesha and her former husband remains unsolved, dividing the community between those who embrace change and those who cling to the past.

This novel is a captivating exploration of identity, isolation, and the complexities of transitioning from a secluded world to the modern world. With its witty dialogue, vivid characters, and thought-provoking themes, it is a must-read for anyone who loves literary fiction and is interested in exploring the hidden corners of history.

\n Weight: 306g\n
Dimension: 134 x 201 x 28 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780062991133\n \n