Drop-In Book Discussion: Fagin the Thief, by Allison Epstein
Join us for an in-person discussion at the Jewish Community Library of this year’s One Bay One Book selection, facilitated by Jim Van Buskirk. The Library is located at 1835 Ellis Street in San Francisco, with free garage parking on Pierce between Ellis and Eddy.
To register, click here. You may borrow a copy of Fagin the Thief at no charge. Contact us at info@jewishcommunitylibrary.org.
About the book:
In her novel reexamining Charles Dickens’s hateful portrayal of Fagin in Oliver Twist, Allison Epstein fashions a compassionate Jewish origin story for the notorious pickpocket. The novel reveals the world of those struggling at the lowest rung of Victorian London society, including the perils of surviving a life of crime, forging brave but problematic relationships, and enduring the evils of systemic prejudice.
About the facilitator:
Jim Van Buskirk is a retired librarian (San Francisco Public Library, Jewish Community Library) who currently works as a book group facilitator, writer, editor, public speaker, exhibit curator, and collections manager. He frequently writes articles and/or presents programs related to Jewish, literary, film, and/or queer history. He also leads Death Cafes and other programs encouraging participants to speak openly about death.