(Fiction, 275 pp. 2000)
In this absorbing debut novel, an eccentric Jewish family is shaken apart by a small but unexpected shift in the prospects of one of its members, while recognizing congruencies between the elementary school spelling-bee circuit, Jewish mysticism, Eastern religious cults and compulsive behavior.
- Discussion questions
- Review by Dwight Garner, New York Times, June 18, 2000
- Review by Michael Lehmann-Haupt, New York Times, June 12, 2000
- Review by Gavin McNett, Salon, July 5, 2000
- Video lecture (25 min.) (Part 1 of 2)
