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Goyhood
Funny, poignant, and revelatory while plumbing the emotional depths of the relationship between estranged brothers, Goyhood examines what happens when one becomes unmoored from a comfortable, spiritual existence and must decide whether coincidence is in fact destiny.
When Mayer (nÉe Marty) Belkin fled small town Georgia for Brooklyn nearly thirty years ago, he thought he'd left his wasted youth behind. Now he's a Talmud scholar married into one of the greatest rabbinical families in the world - a dirt poor country boy reinvented in the image of God.
But his mother's untimely death brings a shocking Mayer and his ne'er-do-well twin brother David aren't, in fact, Jewish. Traumatized and spiritually bereft, Mayer's only recourse is to convert to Judaism. But the earliest date he can get is a week from now. What are two estranged brothers to do in the interim?
So begins the Belkins' Rumspringa through America's Deep South with Mom's ashes in tow, plus two an insightful Instagram influencer named Charlayne Valentine and Popeye, a one-eyed dog. As the crew gets tangled up in a series of increasingly surreal adventures, Mayer grapples with a God who betrayed him and an emotionally withdrawn wife in Brooklyn who has yet to learn her husband is a counterfeit Jew.
When Mayer (nÉe Marty) Belkin fled small town Georgia for Brooklyn nearly thirty years ago, he thought he'd left his wasted youth behind. Now he's a Talmud scholar married into one of the greatest rabbinical families in the world - a dirt poor country boy reinvented in the image of God.
But his mother's untimely death brings a shocking Mayer and his ne'er-do-well twin brother David aren't, in fact, Jewish. Traumatized and spiritually bereft, Mayer's only recourse is to convert to Judaism. But the earliest date he can get is a week from now. What are two estranged brothers to do in the interim?
So begins the Belkins' Rumspringa through America's Deep South with Mom's ashes in tow, plus two an insightful Instagram influencer named Charlayne Valentine and Popeye, a one-eyed dog. As the crew gets tangled up in a series of increasingly surreal adventures, Mayer grapples with a God who betrayed him and an emotionally withdrawn wife in Brooklyn who has yet to learn her husband is a counterfeit Jew.
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First published May 28, 2024
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About the author
Reuven Fenton
2 books26 followersReuven Fenton has been covering murder and scandal for the New York Post since 2007, and has earned national recognition for his exclusive reporting on a myriad of national stories. Mr. Fenton was inspired to write "Stolen Years" after covering an unforgettable court hearing in 2013, in which a Brooklyn judge freed David Ranta, who had been wrongfully convicted for murdering a rabbi twenty-two years earlier. The sensational story sparked an investigation into misconduct by both the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office and the lead detective in the case. Mr. Fenton is a graduate of Columbia University School of Journalism, and lives in New York City with his wife and two sons. Follow @reuvenfen on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
May 23, 2024
In a Nutshell: A contemporary coming-of-age novel, though the main characters are middle-aged. A good debut work, but somewhat uneven in execution. This book didn’t gel with me for various reasons, but it does have its merits and ought to work better for the right reader, preferably a Jewish one.
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Plot Preview:
When I read the blurb of this book, I was quite intrigued by the concept of a faith crisis. Who are we after we are stripped of the religious identity given to us in childhood? Food for introspection! But somehow, the execution of the plot and the character development didn’t click well for me. I have read a few Jewish fiction books, and enjoyed them all. This one is going to be the first exception, to my utter regret.
Bookish Yays:
😍 The initial chapters, until just before the road trip begins – quite interesting.
😍 Plenty of pop culture references appropriate to the era.
😍 The writing flow and grasp of the language – quite strong for a debut novelist, and not surprising, considering the author’s background as a journalist.
😍 The exploration of the connection of faith and identity – so thought-provoking! Also loved how some of the characters explained why God works the way he does. Very interesting!
😍 Popeye the one-eyed dog. Need I explain why!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 The contrary personalities of the siblings – one cool, one geeky – makes for an intriguing experience. The bond between the brothers also comes out well. However, I find it tough to connect with characters who are written as cool through their materialistic tendencies.
😐 The road trip was great and gives ample opportunity to get to know the twins. However, the writing makes the trip appear episodic, with disconnected jumps across events through the journey.
😐 The book has plenty of humour, some sardonic and situational, which works for me and some crass and/or somewhat sexist, which is never to my taste.
😐 While the characters – both lead and supporting – are atypical to a great extent, I couldn’t really get a hang of many of their personalities. I could see what they do, but couldn’t figure out the whys. They all seemed to be ‘in the moment’ decision-makers, which made them appear rather capricious. I especially wish that Mayer’s wife had been better fleshed out. Her character had so much potential, but we barely got to understand her.
😐 The story focusses much on Orthodox Jewish beliefs. This was a learning experience, as well as a befuddling one. Some part went above my head. For instance, I did not know that “goy” meant “non-Jew”. After I Googled this, the title makes sense. There are many such instances in the book where I felt like I missed out on the essence of something because I didn’t get the exact nuance of the word used, though there is some contextual elaboration in many cases. I didn’t want to keep on searching online because there were too many such words and looking them up was breaking my reading flow. I’d have appreciated a glossary at the start of the book for all non-English words.
😐 The pace is fairly steady, but the middle section drags a bit.
Bookish Nays:
☹️ Somehow, the book feels more slapstick than realistic, even though the story has serious moments. There are many exaggerations of ordinary situations. These might lead to a great movie adaptation, but as a reader, this type of OTT content doesn’t work for me.
☹️ For some reason, I couldn’t connect with the character of Charlayne, the Black influencer. She was too perfect to feel authentic, so she felt like an anomaly in this book. (This could also be chalked down to my bias against influencers.) Those long conversations with her spouting the truths of life didn’t work for me.
☹️ The ending was quite disappointing to me. Without going into spoilers, all I can say is that it came out of nowhere and didn’t fit the original character trajectory.
All in all, many of my issues stem from the lack of connect with the Jewish terms and the character choices. At the same time, I feel like this will work better for the right reader. Mine is an outlier review, so feel free to take the above with a pinch of salt.
Such books make me feel like there should be a genre called “Men’s Fiction”. It is unfair that there is Women’s Fiction and not Men’s Fiction, right? And this book would be perfect for such a label: male characters, male sentiments, coming of age even when you are middle-aged,… almost every bit of this novel is geared towards the male reader. That doesn’t mean women won’t enjoy it. But I think men will be able to connect better with it.
Recommended to those readers who are more familiar than I am with Jewish terms, and enjoy male-centric road trip books.
2.75 stars. (3 stars means “I liked it”. So this rating means that I came close to liking it.)
My thanks to the author, Central Avenue Publishing, and NetGalley for the DRC of “Goyhood”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Twins David and Marty were pretty close in childhood, but have been estranged since many years. They live almost contrasting lives. Marty, who now goes by Mayer, is a Talmud scholar married into a rich rabbinic family from Brooklyn. David lives a hedonistic life, focussed more on material enhancement than on spiritual development.
When their mother dies and the brothers come together to plan a funeral, they are totally unprepared for the shell-shocking revelation in her final missive: she was not Jewish. And as per Jewish law, if your mother isn’t Jewish, neither are you. This obviously impacts Mayer much more than David. Mayer’s only solution is to convert to Judaism before his wife finds out, and hopefully convince her to marry him again as their marriage is no longer valid. With the earliest date he can get for the conversion being a week away, David suggests a road trip n the interim, with their mom’s ashes in tow.
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of the twins.
When I read the blurb of this book, I was quite intrigued by the concept of a faith crisis. Who are we after we are stripped of the religious identity given to us in childhood? Food for introspection! But somehow, the execution of the plot and the character development didn’t click well for me. I have read a few Jewish fiction books, and enjoyed them all. This one is going to be the first exception, to my utter regret.
Bookish Yays:
😍 The initial chapters, until just before the road trip begins – quite interesting.
😍 Plenty of pop culture references appropriate to the era.
😍 The writing flow and grasp of the language – quite strong for a debut novelist, and not surprising, considering the author’s background as a journalist.
😍 The exploration of the connection of faith and identity – so thought-provoking! Also loved how some of the characters explained why God works the way he does. Very interesting!
😍 Popeye the one-eyed dog. Need I explain why!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 The contrary personalities of the siblings – one cool, one geeky – makes for an intriguing experience. The bond between the brothers also comes out well. However, I find it tough to connect with characters who are written as cool through their materialistic tendencies.
😐 The road trip was great and gives ample opportunity to get to know the twins. However, the writing makes the trip appear episodic, with disconnected jumps across events through the journey.
😐 The book has plenty of humour, some sardonic and situational, which works for me and some crass and/or somewhat sexist, which is never to my taste.
😐 While the characters – both lead and supporting – are atypical to a great extent, I couldn’t really get a hang of many of their personalities. I could see what they do, but couldn’t figure out the whys. They all seemed to be ‘in the moment’ decision-makers, which made them appear rather capricious. I especially wish that Mayer’s wife had been better fleshed out. Her character had so much potential, but we barely got to understand her.
😐 The story focusses much on Orthodox Jewish beliefs. This was a learning experience, as well as a befuddling one. Some part went above my head. For instance, I did not know that “goy” meant “non-Jew”. After I Googled this, the title makes sense. There are many such instances in the book where I felt like I missed out on the essence of something because I didn’t get the exact nuance of the word used, though there is some contextual elaboration in many cases. I didn’t want to keep on searching online because there were too many such words and looking them up was breaking my reading flow. I’d have appreciated a glossary at the start of the book for all non-English words.
😐 The pace is fairly steady, but the middle section drags a bit.
Bookish Nays:
☹️ Somehow, the book feels more slapstick than realistic, even though the story has serious moments. There are many exaggerations of ordinary situations. These might lead to a great movie adaptation, but as a reader, this type of OTT content doesn’t work for me.
☹️ For some reason, I couldn’t connect with the character of Charlayne, the Black influencer. She was too perfect to feel authentic, so she felt like an anomaly in this book. (This could also be chalked down to my bias against influencers.) Those long conversations with her spouting the truths of life didn’t work for me.
☹️ The ending was quite disappointing to me. Without going into spoilers, all I can say is that it came out of nowhere and didn’t fit the original character trajectory.
All in all, many of my issues stem from the lack of connect with the Jewish terms and the character choices. At the same time, I feel like this will work better for the right reader. Mine is an outlier review, so feel free to take the above with a pinch of salt.
Such books make me feel like there should be a genre called “Men’s Fiction”. It is unfair that there is Women’s Fiction and not Men’s Fiction, right? And this book would be perfect for such a label: male characters, male sentiments, coming of age even when you are middle-aged,… almost every bit of this novel is geared towards the male reader. That doesn’t mean women won’t enjoy it. But I think men will be able to connect better with it.
Recommended to those readers who are more familiar than I am with Jewish terms, and enjoy male-centric road trip books.
2.75 stars. (3 stars means “I liked it”. So this rating means that I came close to liking it.)
My thanks to the author, Central Avenue Publishing, and NetGalley for the DRC of “Goyhood”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
December 20, 2025
In the mid 1990s, when 12-year-old Marty Belkin was living in Moab, Georgia, no one would have predicted he'd grow up to be a Talmud scholar. While Marty's mother Ida Mae entertained men in the house, Marty and his fraternal twin brother David would ride around on their battered Schwinn bikes, eat convenience store ice cream sandwiches, and smoke cigarettes.
When the 'Chabad of Moab' appeared in town, with a huge menorah in front, Marty recognized the candelabrum as something to do with Jews, and wondered if any Jews lived in Moab.
Marty and David soon learned that they themselves were Jews. A rabbi called Yossi Kugel came to their house, having found them by looking for Jewish-sounding names in the phone book. Much to the boys' surprise, their mom Ida Mae acknowledged that her mother was Jewish, which meant that (in Jewish law) Ida Mae and the boys were Jewish as well.
Marty and David had bar mitzvahs, and Ida Mae got a job as Rabbi Kugel's secretary.
Being a Jew was REALLY meaningful to Marty (now called Mayer), and he left Moab at the age of thirteen, to study Talmud at a top yeshiva in Brooklyn, New York.
Skip ahead almost three decades and forty-year-old Mayer is still studying Talmud....
and has been married to Sarah for eighteen years.
Sarah is the daughter of the revered Jewish Talmudist Yaakov Drezner, who arranged the marriage himself.
While Mayer was living as an Orthodox Jew, his brother David was doing the exact opposite. As a young man David used illegal drugs, stole cars, got into bar fights, slept with lots of women, contracted STDs, and more.
Afterwards, David tried various get-rich-quick schemes, all of which failed, and got into trouble with moneylenders. Now that David is forty, though, his luck has changed, and he's become wealthy from the e-cigarette business.
Forty-year-olds Mayer and David haven't seen each other for eight years when a tragedy draws them together. Their mother Ida Mae, who's 'clinically obese and two teagaritas away from a liver transplant,' commits suicide.
This incident turns Mayer's life upside-down. When Mayer flies to Georgia for his mother's funeral, a suicide letter from Ida Mae reveals that her mother was NOT Jewish, and in fact was descended from Nazis.
This means Mayer is not Jewish, Sarah is not his wife, and Sarah will be distraught when she learns she's been living with a gentile (and one-eighth Nazi) all these years. The solution: Mayer will secretly convert to Judaism. The ritual, scheduled to take place in New York in one week's time, will (presumably) ease the pain when Mayer has to confess everything to Sarah and her father.
The situation sparks an idea in David's mind. Now that Mayer is a gentile, David insists the brothers take a road trip through the South 'on their way' to New York. So Ida Mae is cremated, and Mayer, David, and Ida Mae (in an urn) embark on a kind of 'Rumspringa' jaunt through the Confederate states.
The trip is something to remember!
In Mississippi, the brothers rescue a one-eyed dog called Popeye, whom they find starving, tethered to a pole.
And in New Orleans, David's acquaintance Charlayne, an African-American social media influencer who plans to hike the Appalachian Trail, hitches a ride north.
The travelers' adventures, which range from amusing to life-threatening, lead to brotherly bonding, new friends, and Mayer learning about life outside his sheltered Orthodox community. Through it all, Mayer, though technically not Jewish, does his best to stick to Jewish laws. He won't touch a woman, even to shake hands, and he eats kosher crackers and sardines from Publix.....
......when David and Charlayne dine on cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries.
Though Mayer is uncomfortable traveling with a woman, he and Charlayne bond over their shared interest in bird-watching, and Charlayne gives Mayer helpful advice when she suggests, 'When you go back to your old-slash new life, make it a point to ask God why he did this to you.....God did this to you with full intent, and it was good intent.'
The author's descriptions of the southern flora, fauna, and geography add a nice touch to the novel, and the ancillary characters - including a white supremacist called Clete and a woman rabbi named Debbie Teitelbaum - are authentic and compelling.
One of my favorite characters is Popeye the dog, who turns out to be a hero.
You don't need to be Jewish to enjoy the novel, though you might want to Google some of the terms. I would have liked a little more resolution at the end of the story, but that's a minor quibble. This is a very good book, highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley, Reuven Fenton, and Central Avenue Publishing for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
May 22, 2024
This is a delightfully written tale of estranged twin brothers, Marty and David Belkin, reconnecting after the death of their mother. They were close as young boys, growing up poor in Moab with a single mother, enjoying making their own fun and adventures. However, after learning from their mother that they are Jewish, Marty went on to embrace his faith eventually moving to Brooklyn to become a great Talmud scholar and marry the daughter of a highly esteemed Rabbi. Meanwhile David embarked on enjoying the good life of wine, women and illicit substances while making and losing fortunes in risky businesses until he eventually hitting paydirt getting in on the ground floor with the advent of vaping.
Now middle aged, it’s years since the boys have seen each other but they both travel to Moab for their mother’s funeral where David is keen for them to reconnect. Their mother has left them a letter with life altering new that will send them reeling on a road trip together through the Southern states in a red Charger called Daisy.
Their road trip becomes a journey of discovery as both brothers confront issues regarding their faith, identity and paths in life. It’s full of very funny moments as well as touching ones. The trip is a huge eye-opener for Marty who has led a very sheltered and limited life and is finding it hard to grapple with what his mother has told them and how it will affect his life. Adding to the fun, they adopt a stray dog along the way and meet a remarkable woman planning on walking the Appalachian Trail. They have some excellent adventures and mishaps, reminding both brothers of how much they meant to each other as children. A very enjoyable, quirky read with great characters, guaranteed to make you smile! 4.5★
With thanks to Central Avenue Publishing via Netgalley for a copy to read
Now middle aged, it’s years since the boys have seen each other but they both travel to Moab for their mother’s funeral where David is keen for them to reconnect. Their mother has left them a letter with life altering new that will send them reeling on a road trip together through the Southern states in a red Charger called Daisy.
Their road trip becomes a journey of discovery as both brothers confront issues regarding their faith, identity and paths in life. It’s full of very funny moments as well as touching ones. The trip is a huge eye-opener for Marty who has led a very sheltered and limited life and is finding it hard to grapple with what his mother has told them and how it will affect his life. Adding to the fun, they adopt a stray dog along the way and meet a remarkable woman planning on walking the Appalachian Trail. They have some excellent adventures and mishaps, reminding both brothers of how much they meant to each other as children. A very enjoyable, quirky read with great characters, guaranteed to make you smile! 4.5★
With thanks to Central Avenue Publishing via Netgalley for a copy to read
October 9, 2024
(3.75 stars)
Goyhood immediately attracted me for its title alone. And I’m glad I got a chance to read it. There were lots of laughs and some very poignant moments along the way.
The set-up: twins Marty and David Belkin are 12 years old, living in Moab, Georgia, somewhere near Atlanta, when Chabad sets up in town. The Chabad Rabbi meets the boys’ mom, Ida Mae, and she tells him that they are in fact Jewish, which was news to the boys.
Marty becomes Mayer and becomes a learned Orthodox Jew, a Talmud scholar, and lives in Brooklyn. He is married to Sarah, the daughter of an esteemed rabbi, but their marriage, to me, felt very “pro forma”. This was definitely not a love match and it made me sad. Her character was never really explored in this book and I wish it had been. I particularly would have liked some explanation of why she was taking the pills she was (trying not to include spoilers is hard!).
When Ida Mae dies, Marty/Mayer and David see each other after many years apart. (Their very different lifestyles kept them apart, not any specific falling out.) Their mother left a letter for them, explaining that no, they really aren’t Jewish in the traditional sense (your mother has to be Jewish in traditional Judaism, for you to be considered Jewish, without having to convert). This throws Mayer’s sense of self into complete disarray and he is unmoored. David too, to a lesser extent, because he didn’t have the same life experiences as Mayer. Mayer tries to arrange a quick official conversion ceremony on the QT and hasn’t told his wife the news yet.
The idea to go on a sort of Rumspringa while in a sort of spiritual limbo, was an interesting one. David rents a car and off they go. Their adventures were delightful. I absolutely loved the character of Charlayne, an influencer that David knew, with whom they met up in New Orleans. Her character wound up having lots of layers revealed. Some of the best passages in the book take place while they are helping her get to the start of the Appalachian Trail, a bucket list item for Charlayne.
This book will probably work for those completely unfamiliar with Judaism and its practices, but some of it may be mystifying for them. There is a lot of Yiddish and Hebrew sprinkled throughout, and only some of it will probably be understood via the context. My copy of the book did not have a glossary of terms.
Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Goyhood immediately attracted me for its title alone. And I’m glad I got a chance to read it. There were lots of laughs and some very poignant moments along the way.
The set-up: twins Marty and David Belkin are 12 years old, living in Moab, Georgia, somewhere near Atlanta, when Chabad sets up in town. The Chabad Rabbi meets the boys’ mom, Ida Mae, and she tells him that they are in fact Jewish, which was news to the boys.
Marty becomes Mayer and becomes a learned Orthodox Jew, a Talmud scholar, and lives in Brooklyn. He is married to Sarah, the daughter of an esteemed rabbi, but their marriage, to me, felt very “pro forma”. This was definitely not a love match and it made me sad. Her character was never really explored in this book and I wish it had been. I particularly would have liked some explanation of why she was taking the pills she was (trying not to include spoilers is hard!).
When Ida Mae dies, Marty/Mayer and David see each other after many years apart. (Their very different lifestyles kept them apart, not any specific falling out.) Their mother left a letter for them, explaining that no, they really aren’t Jewish in the traditional sense (your mother has to be Jewish in traditional Judaism, for you to be considered Jewish, without having to convert). This throws Mayer’s sense of self into complete disarray and he is unmoored. David too, to a lesser extent, because he didn’t have the same life experiences as Mayer. Mayer tries to arrange a quick official conversion ceremony on the QT and hasn’t told his wife the news yet.
The idea to go on a sort of Rumspringa while in a sort of spiritual limbo, was an interesting one. David rents a car and off they go. Their adventures were delightful. I absolutely loved the character of Charlayne, an influencer that David knew, with whom they met up in New Orleans. Her character wound up having lots of layers revealed. Some of the best passages in the book take place while they are helping her get to the start of the Appalachian Trail, a bucket list item for Charlayne.
This book will probably work for those completely unfamiliar with Judaism and its practices, but some of it may be mystifying for them. There is a lot of Yiddish and Hebrew sprinkled throughout, and only some of it will probably be understood via the context. My copy of the book did not have a glossary of terms.
Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 22, 2024
Well, it is original. Turner & Hooch and Job (and Turner and Job's mother's ashes.) Now that is a sequel!
This is a proper road book that looks at journeys that test faith the same as any other journey. I feel like readers would have to have a pretty good grounding in Jewish practice to really understand this. There were parts that eluded me, and I have a pretty good relationship with Hashem. Most (but not all) of the specific Talmudic references are explained, but the author assumes a lot of base knowledge about how the Hassids live. I thought it was funny that Fenton included lots of detail to set the scene in and around Atlanta (which things, highways and chain stores and suburbs, are pretty familiar for most Americans) but very little detail is provided when it comes to Hassidic New York (a lot of which is a mystery even to those of us who live in the midst of it.) I have lived for long stretches in both places and I found the generally mundane Atlanta references unnecessary and missed having a little of that world-building in Brooklyn. Fenton also assumes a lot of base knowledge about other things not Jewish. There are many off-hand allusions to 70s music and very dated pop-culture references (Bobby Sherman anyone? Alex McCandless?) which I got, but which I think would skate over the heads of many, particularly readers under 40.
I liked the book, it was diverting and unique and just challenging enough that it kept me engaged. I was a particular fan of the parts where the brothers wrestle a bit with faith, tribe, and establishing the bounds for observance. Worth the time if the subject matter appeals
This is a proper road book that looks at journeys that test faith the same as any other journey. I feel like readers would have to have a pretty good grounding in Jewish practice to really understand this. There were parts that eluded me, and I have a pretty good relationship with Hashem. Most (but not all) of the specific Talmudic references are explained, but the author assumes a lot of base knowledge about how the Hassids live. I thought it was funny that Fenton included lots of detail to set the scene in and around Atlanta (which things, highways and chain stores and suburbs, are pretty familiar for most Americans) but very little detail is provided when it comes to Hassidic New York (a lot of which is a mystery even to those of us who live in the midst of it.) I have lived for long stretches in both places and I found the generally mundane Atlanta references unnecessary and missed having a little of that world-building in Brooklyn. Fenton also assumes a lot of base knowledge about other things not Jewish. There are many off-hand allusions to 70s music and very dated pop-culture references (Bobby Sherman anyone? Alex McCandless?) which I got, but which I think would skate over the heads of many, particularly readers under 40.
I liked the book, it was diverting and unique and just challenging enough that it kept me engaged. I was a particular fan of the parts where the brothers wrestle a bit with faith, tribe, and establishing the bounds for observance. Worth the time if the subject matter appeals
May 21, 2024
This book was an unexpected pleasure. It was not that I did not expect to like it but I am not sure that I expected to quite enjoy it as much as I did.
This is about two twin brothers who are pursuing their lives very differently: one is living his life as an Orthodox Jew and the other leads a very hedonistic life in Georgia, where they had both started out. They are reunited when their mother dies and they go on a road trip where they hope to spread her ashes in a place she would love. In an effort not to give too much away, I will just say that there are questions regarding Judaism, relationships (both between the brothers and between the religious brother and his wife) that both need to sort out while experiencing adventures and mishaps that are perhaps just a bit far fetched but entertaining, including some soul searching about what each wants in life.
I learned a good deal about Orthodox Judaism. Just enough. There was, however, great characterization and themes that were raised without being too heavy handed. This is a book that I may just pick up again at some point.
By the way, I think this needs to be made into a movie. I was creating the scenes in my head as I read (not something I often do).
Thanks to and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is about two twin brothers who are pursuing their lives very differently: one is living his life as an Orthodox Jew and the other leads a very hedonistic life in Georgia, where they had both started out. They are reunited when their mother dies and they go on a road trip where they hope to spread her ashes in a place she would love. In an effort not to give too much away, I will just say that there are questions regarding Judaism, relationships (both between the brothers and between the religious brother and his wife) that both need to sort out while experiencing adventures and mishaps that are perhaps just a bit far fetched but entertaining, including some soul searching about what each wants in life.
I learned a good deal about Orthodox Judaism. Just enough. There was, however, great characterization and themes that were raised without being too heavy handed. This is a book that I may just pick up again at some point.
By the way, I think this needs to be made into a movie. I was creating the scenes in my head as I read (not something I often do).
Thanks to and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 30, 2025
No heavy lifting here but an enjoyable story of a rapprochement between estranged brothers.
May 7, 2024
4.5/5 absolutely fell in love with this story and each character. it made me laugh and cry and had a taylor swift reference. literally blew me away and exceeded all expectations such a heart warming story i wish i had more 🫶🏻
December 19, 2025
Goyhood is the story of Marty (later Mayer) and David twin brothers from a small town in Georgia. They find out that they are Jewish when they are 12. Marty leaves for Brooklyn and becomes a scholar of the Talmud and has married into a famous (ultra-Orthodox) rabbinical family. His brother becomes something of a ne’er-do-well, until one of his insane investments pays off and he becomes very, very rich. And then their mother dies back in Georgia, and the brothers find out that she lied, and they are not Jewish after-all. Marty decides that he must convert to Judaism if he wants to keep his life as it is and his wife (technically they are no longer married). So begins a madcap road trip from small town Georgia to Brooklyn with Marty, David, and two others they acquire on the way: Charlayne, an influencer and Popeye, a one-eyed dog.
The novel delas with themes of identity, the nature of God, love, forgiveness, and family. It does so in ways alternately serious and funny. The writing style is breezy and easy to read, and I could tell the author is a journalist. However, something in Goyhood didn’t gel for me. It was fun to read, but something was off. I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at some of the episodes, and I got very impatient with both Marty and David at times. I wanted to tell both of them to grow up. In addition, some of the Talmudic references went over my head and I found that I didn’t care about the others.
I also wanted to know more about Sarah, Marty’s wife. She is the only one I felt sorry for, the only character I really cared about.
All-in-all, for me this was a flawed, but entertaining and feel-good novel. I’m glad I read it.
The novel delas with themes of identity, the nature of God, love, forgiveness, and family. It does so in ways alternately serious and funny. The writing style is breezy and easy to read, and I could tell the author is a journalist. However, something in Goyhood didn’t gel for me. It was fun to read, but something was off. I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at some of the episodes, and I got very impatient with both Marty and David at times. I wanted to tell both of them to grow up. In addition, some of the Talmudic references went over my head and I found that I didn’t care about the others.
I also wanted to know more about Sarah, Marty’s wife. She is the only one I felt sorry for, the only character I really cared about.
All-in-all, for me this was a flawed, but entertaining and feel-good novel. I’m glad I read it.
April 21, 2025
Goyhood had such an intriguing concept—an ultra-Orthodox man realizing he isn’t actually Jewish—but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to its promise. While it touched on identity and belonging, the plot fell flat for me. I only finished it because it was my book club pick. The audiobook didn’t help either: frequent mispronunciations of Hebrew and Yiddish words made it even harder to stay engaged. By the end, I was speeding through just to finish. Curious to hear what my friends thought, but overall, a disappointing listen. 😬
December 20, 2025
To give this book credit where it’s due: it has an absolutely bangin’ premise. Twin brothers growing up in a tough, blue-collar town in rural Georgia with a single, alcoholic mother discover at age twelve that they’re Jewish by birth. For one, the revelation is a shrug. For the other, it becomes a lifeline—offering the structure, spiritual grounding, and sense of belonging he’s been desperate for. He throws himself into Torah study under the wing of a local Chabad rabbi, eventually devoting his life to Orthodoxy and marrying the daughter of a renowned scholar in an arranged match. But when his mother dies, he returns home and discovers the foundation of his life has been built on a lie: he’s not Jewish after all.
It’s a page-turning setup, and the book starts strong. But after that, it veers into strange, uneven territory—part road trip, part spiritual quest, part slapstick comedy. There are moments that land with real emotional weight, but ultimately the story feels unfocused and unsatisfying.
One major issue: I’m not sure who the intended audience is. As someone who’s been a practicing Conservative Jew all my life, I still found many of the Hebrew and Yiddish phrases, customs, and arcana unfamiliar or unexplained (ultra-orthodoxy is a whole different animal than mainstream Judaism). I can only imagine how confusing this would be for a non-Jewish reader. At the same time, the tone and irreverence would likely alienate religious Jews as well.
The book also fails the Bechdel test by a mile. The few female characters have no interior life and exist solely in relation to the male protagonists. The central female character, Sarah—Mayer’s wife—is supposedly the emotional linchpin of the story, yet we never get her perspective. We’re told the marriage is strained, but never shown why. Instead, we get dangling hints that are never resolved: What happened between her and the other counselor at summer camp? Why did she lie about her “migraine medication”? Why did she cling to a marriage that clearly made her miserable? These threads are left unexplored, and the book is the worse for it.
And then there’s Charmayne, our resident manic pixie dream girl: a Stanford-educated former investment manager turned Instagram influencer, model-gorgeous, and—conveniently—passionate about birdwatching, Mayer’s long-abandoned childhood hobby. Her sole narrative purpose seems to be awakening Mayer to the richness of the world beyond his cloistered life, occasionally dropping profound one-liners before drifting offstage again.
In the end, it’s a book with a bold concept that never quite figures out what it wants to be, or who it wants to speak to.
It’s a page-turning setup, and the book starts strong. But after that, it veers into strange, uneven territory—part road trip, part spiritual quest, part slapstick comedy. There are moments that land with real emotional weight, but ultimately the story feels unfocused and unsatisfying.
One major issue: I’m not sure who the intended audience is. As someone who’s been a practicing Conservative Jew all my life, I still found many of the Hebrew and Yiddish phrases, customs, and arcana unfamiliar or unexplained (ultra-orthodoxy is a whole different animal than mainstream Judaism). I can only imagine how confusing this would be for a non-Jewish reader. At the same time, the tone and irreverence would likely alienate religious Jews as well.
The book also fails the Bechdel test by a mile. The few female characters have no interior life and exist solely in relation to the male protagonists. The central female character, Sarah—Mayer’s wife—is supposedly the emotional linchpin of the story, yet we never get her perspective. We’re told the marriage is strained, but never shown why. Instead, we get dangling hints that are never resolved: What happened between her and the other counselor at summer camp? Why did she lie about her “migraine medication”? Why did she cling to a marriage that clearly made her miserable? These threads are left unexplored, and the book is the worse for it.
And then there’s Charmayne, our resident manic pixie dream girl: a Stanford-educated former investment manager turned Instagram influencer, model-gorgeous, and—conveniently—passionate about birdwatching, Mayer’s long-abandoned childhood hobby. Her sole narrative purpose seems to be awakening Mayer to the richness of the world beyond his cloistered life, occasionally dropping profound one-liners before drifting offstage again.
In the end, it’s a book with a bold concept that never quite figures out what it wants to be, or who it wants to speak to.
April 16, 2024
Reuven Fenton's debut novel, "Goyhood," offers a compelling exploration of identity, faith, and familial bonds through the divergent paths of twin brothers, David and Marty Belkin. Set against the backdrop of a life-altering revelation, the narrative unfolds with rich complexity and emotional depth.
Upon learning of their Jewish heritage at a young age, David and Marty embark on distinct journeys shaped by their individual beliefs and circumstances. While David remains close to home, embracing a worldly existence, Marty, known as Mayer, immerses himself in the study of Talmud in New York, leading a sheltered life within his marriage and familial community.
The sudden death of their mother shatters the foundation of Mayer's reality, as he grapples with the revelation that their Jewish identity was all a lie. Bereft and feeling abandoned by God, Mayer's desperate attempt to reclaim his faith through conversion sets the stage for an exploration of existential crisis and self-discovery.
Meanwhile, David seizes the opportunity to reconnect with his estranged brother, embarking on a road trip through the American South. As the brothers navigate through a landscape of introspection and revelation, they confront the fundamental questions of faith, truth, and the essence of their own identities.
Fenton's narrative is thought-provoking, weaving together themes of deception, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through vivid characterizations, he invites readers on a journey of self-exploration and reconciliation, where the bonds of brotherhood serve as a foundation amidst the turmoil.
Upon learning of their Jewish heritage at a young age, David and Marty embark on distinct journeys shaped by their individual beliefs and circumstances. While David remains close to home, embracing a worldly existence, Marty, known as Mayer, immerses himself in the study of Talmud in New York, leading a sheltered life within his marriage and familial community.
The sudden death of their mother shatters the foundation of Mayer's reality, as he grapples with the revelation that their Jewish identity was all a lie. Bereft and feeling abandoned by God, Mayer's desperate attempt to reclaim his faith through conversion sets the stage for an exploration of existential crisis and self-discovery.
Meanwhile, David seizes the opportunity to reconnect with his estranged brother, embarking on a road trip through the American South. As the brothers navigate through a landscape of introspection and revelation, they confront the fundamental questions of faith, truth, and the essence of their own identities.
Fenton's narrative is thought-provoking, weaving together themes of deception, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through vivid characterizations, he invites readers on a journey of self-exploration and reconciliation, where the bonds of brotherhood serve as a foundation amidst the turmoil.
January 25, 2024
Mayer is a Talmud scholar who married into a great rabbinical family, but when his mother dies, he and his brother learn that they are not technically Jewish. He needs to convert before his wife and her family find out, but first, Mayer's brother insists on a road trip. They uncover more than they expected about who they are meant to be in this sweet and sometimes rollicking tale about their epic journey.
May 27, 2024
This tale is about life, death, and discovering who you really are despite what you grew up believing.
Mayer is quite an intriguing character. He has devoted his life to studying the Talmud, but the passing of his mother opens a can of worms. I found Mayer very rigid, and perhaps that is how he should have acted, considering his life as a scholar. But, a few days with his twin brother opens up a new world for him. He resists it as much as he can, but accepting this twist in his life isn't easy.
David, Mayer's twin, has lived a somewhat carefree life. He has jumped from job to job but seems to have found his niche. He is the opposite of Mayer, but their relationship works. I think it helps loosen Mayer up from his rigid life, but at the same time, Mayer has a steadying influence on David.
I loved their adventure from Georgia to New Orleans and then up to the Appalachian Trail. Each stop and the interactions with those they meet along the way are insightful and humorous.
There is a dog in the book, one they affectionately call Popeye. I think there is more to Popeye's story, but we only know what we are told.
I might attach the "coming of age" label to this book despite the fact that these are grown men. However, their adventure does help bring them into their own, even if it is 20+ years too late.
My only negative is the number of Hebrew words and phrases. It is to be expected since one of the main characters is Jewish (or so he believes). While the author does a good job interpreting them, it was a bit much for this non-Jewish person. It doesn't take away from the book, but I did tend to skim over those sections.
This was a fun book to read, and I think it would be great for men hitting that mid-life crisis.
We give the book 4 paws up.
Mayer is quite an intriguing character. He has devoted his life to studying the Talmud, but the passing of his mother opens a can of worms. I found Mayer very rigid, and perhaps that is how he should have acted, considering his life as a scholar. But, a few days with his twin brother opens up a new world for him. He resists it as much as he can, but accepting this twist in his life isn't easy.
David, Mayer's twin, has lived a somewhat carefree life. He has jumped from job to job but seems to have found his niche. He is the opposite of Mayer, but their relationship works. I think it helps loosen Mayer up from his rigid life, but at the same time, Mayer has a steadying influence on David.
I loved their adventure from Georgia to New Orleans and then up to the Appalachian Trail. Each stop and the interactions with those they meet along the way are insightful and humorous.
There is a dog in the book, one they affectionately call Popeye. I think there is more to Popeye's story, but we only know what we are told.
I might attach the "coming of age" label to this book despite the fact that these are grown men. However, their adventure does help bring them into their own, even if it is 20+ years too late.
My only negative is the number of Hebrew words and phrases. It is to be expected since one of the main characters is Jewish (or so he believes). While the author does a good job interpreting them, it was a bit much for this non-Jewish person. It doesn't take away from the book, but I did tend to skim over those sections.
This was a fun book to read, and I think it would be great for men hitting that mid-life crisis.
We give the book 4 paws up.
Read
June 16, 2024This book was a trip, literally and figuratively. And subjectively, too, although saying that might be redundant.
It's not perfect; there are POV issues and other things going on that my editorial eye caught. Nothing that, fortunately, detracted from the story itself (yay), and nothing that most readers would pick up on.
But overall? 100% worth the time and the read. Really interesting stuff going on here, although the whole thing at the end with the pop star... not a surprise, unfortunately, and I wish we'd seen more of him on the page at that point.
It's not perfect; there are POV issues and other things going on that my editorial eye caught. Nothing that, fortunately, detracted from the story itself (yay), and nothing that most readers would pick up on.
But overall? 100% worth the time and the read. Really interesting stuff going on here, although the whole thing at the end with the pop star... not a surprise, unfortunately, and I wish we'd seen more of him on the page at that point.
June 17, 2025
I loved this! Extremely enjoyable ride with the Belkin twins - funny, poignant, and enlightening re: the life of a Talmudic scholar. Explores what does it mean to be a Jew. What might Marty (Mayer) be missing in "real life" by dedicating himself exclusively to scholarly studies? This is also an original take on the road-trip journey of discovery genre.
April 21, 2024
Published 28 May 2024. I will be honest, that when I was asked if I would review this arc, I did pause and wonder whether a novel about two middle-aged - perhaps Jewish - men on a road trip was a book for me. But I was pleasantly surprised as the tone is light, humorous and enjoyable while looking at identity, faith and family relationships. Learning when young about their Jewish heritage, twins David and Marty (later Mayer) found their lives take very different paths. Marty studied the Talmud in New York and married the daughter of a renowned Jewish Talmudist who provided the couple with their home. Brother David, however, went in the total opposite direction, drugs, women, get-rich scheme that finally provided him with money but no real relationships. When the boys' mother dies, she leaves them a letter which blows apart their lives. She confesses that her mother was not in fact Jewish and so the boys are not Jewish. For Marty, this means the past three decades have been a lie and his wife, Sarah, is not his wife - in Jewish law, they are not married. His only hope is to go through a secret conversion and then confess to Sarah. As the conversion cannot take place immediately, David decides that they need a road trip to reconnect and this is where we are. The adventures on the road trip include a one-eyed dog, a social media influencer and even a trip to hospital. It is an enjoyable read and it caused many smiles along the way. David is incorrigible and Marty at times you just want to stop moaning but ultimately it's a novel about faith and religion, about finding the truth about yourself. If I had a criticism, I would have liked a glossary for some of the terms to save me from having to keep googling, but that does not detract from the fun I had reading this.
Read Goyhood to learn more than you ever knew you wanted to know about the Jewish faith. Don’t let the vocabulary faze you; Fenton does a phenomenal job of sprinkling just enough Hebrew in the mix so as not to overwhelm the senses. Read Goyhood also to enjoy the sparky love/hate relationship that so often happens between siblings. And read the book to meet Popeye, the junkyard dog who knows a bad guy when he smells one.
Read Goyhood to learn more than you ever knew you wanted to know about the Jewish faith. Don’t let the vocabulary faze you; Fenton does a phenomenal job of sprinkling just enough Hebrew in the mix so as not to overwhelm the senses. Read Goyhood also to enjoy the sparky love/hate relationship that so often happens between siblings. And read the book to meet Popeye, the junkyard dog who knows a bad guy when he smells one.
July 19, 2025
Some entertaining moments, in a not very polished novel.
March 18, 2024
Marty Belkin is growing up in a small town in Georgia. His mother sends him to the new rabbi, who recently arrived in their small town. She explains to Marty that they are Jewish. Marty is an excellent student and has the opportunity to leave and move to Brooklyn to continue his studies. Years pass as Marty, now called Mayer, is deeply ensconced in the Jewish community as a Talmud scholar. He receives a call from his brother asking him to return to Georgia to help him with their mother's funeral. After arriving for the funeral, Mayer and his twin brother David learn that they are not Jewish. Marty needs to convert to Judaism but it will be a week before the ceremony is possible. In the meantime, David decides to take Marty on a trip. Their trip through the South is one of discovery and clarification.
Reuven Fenton's Goyhood is a delight to read. The imagery and description of their trip paints a vivid picture of two brothers long overdue to reconnect. Marty identifies himself as a Jew. Losing that long-held belief is devastating. Marty's identity is gone, leaving him shattered. It is fascinating to see Marty's strong adherence to Jewish law despite not being Jewish. He wouldn't have to follow Jewish law and tradition until he officially converts but Marty continues practicing his faith. His strength of conviction pulls him from his spiritual confusion as Marty realizes that life continues. Both boys see their mother's death not as a crossroads but more as a pause allowing them to appreciate their lives.
Reuven Fenton's Goyhood is a delight to read. The imagery and description of their trip paints a vivid picture of two brothers long overdue to reconnect. Marty identifies himself as a Jew. Losing that long-held belief is devastating. Marty's identity is gone, leaving him shattered. It is fascinating to see Marty's strong adherence to Jewish law despite not being Jewish. He wouldn't have to follow Jewish law and tradition until he officially converts but Marty continues practicing his faith. His strength of conviction pulls him from his spiritual confusion as Marty realizes that life continues. Both boys see their mother's death not as a crossroads but more as a pause allowing them to appreciate their lives.
March 6, 2024
◇ Synopsis
"Goyhood" delves into the complex relationship between estranged brothers, exploring themes of identity, destiny, and spiritual upheaval. Mayer, a Talmud scholar, confronts his roots when his mother dies, revealing that he and his twin brother are not Jewish. Struggling with spiritual bereavement, Mayer embarks on a journey through the Deep South with his brother, Mom's ashes, an Instagram influencer, and a one-eyed dog. Along the way, he wrestles with his faith, his fraudulent identity, and his disconnected marriage.
◇ Thoughts
This novel showcases impressive writing, with its polished prose and impeccable grammar. It offers a unique perspective on war narratives within the Jewish community, blending touching moments with witty humor. The characters undergo meaningful development, fostering a strong connection with readers. I especially appreciated the nods to biking, smoking, music, movies, and sports. The overall tone is light and enjoyable, appealing to readers from all walks of life. While primarily targeted at a Jewish audience, it delves into universal themes that resonate with everyone. However, the ending feels somewhat inconsistent with the main characters' relationship, and delving deeper into the wife's medication could have enriched the conclusion. Despite this, I wholeheartedly recommend this novel for its insightful portrayal of inner struggles and its captivating pop culture references which made me reminisce.
"Goyhood" delves into the complex relationship between estranged brothers, exploring themes of identity, destiny, and spiritual upheaval. Mayer, a Talmud scholar, confronts his roots when his mother dies, revealing that he and his twin brother are not Jewish. Struggling with spiritual bereavement, Mayer embarks on a journey through the Deep South with his brother, Mom's ashes, an Instagram influencer, and a one-eyed dog. Along the way, he wrestles with his faith, his fraudulent identity, and his disconnected marriage.
◇ Thoughts
This novel showcases impressive writing, with its polished prose and impeccable grammar. It offers a unique perspective on war narratives within the Jewish community, blending touching moments with witty humor. The characters undergo meaningful development, fostering a strong connection with readers. I especially appreciated the nods to biking, smoking, music, movies, and sports. The overall tone is light and enjoyable, appealing to readers from all walks of life. While primarily targeted at a Jewish audience, it delves into universal themes that resonate with everyone. However, the ending feels somewhat inconsistent with the main characters' relationship, and delving deeper into the wife's medication could have enriched the conclusion. Despite this, I wholeheartedly recommend this novel for its insightful portrayal of inner struggles and its captivating pop culture references which made me reminisce.
March 2, 2024
Quick, somewhat entertaining read that I think others will enjoy more than I did. At times it really felt like more of a film script than a novel. The characters were like the characters you see in tv shows or movies, somewhat plausible but lacking in nuance. It was all very plotty and episodic. Also slap sticky. Like a feel good road movie meant more for men than women. The theme of jewish identity was also interesting to a point.
November 28, 2024
I finished the book. I also feel that the book was so so. I did learn a little while reading it but I think there are better books that cover similar ideas. I thought the ending was a bit disappointing too. There was too much left without any closure. This was a debut novel. This was a road trip and that might have been the best part of the story as it was meant to be. I don’t think it will survive the test of time.
May 28, 2024
Goyhood is a big-hearted, humorous story about twins separated, not at birth, but during their childhood and what happens when they meet again when their mother dies.
Here's my review:
People often expect twins to be alike - even the non-identical ones. But you couldn't find two brothers more different than David and Marty Belkin, the main characters in Reuven Fenton's debut novel Goyhood. We meet them during a heatwave in small-town Georgia when they're twelve, the day that young Marty, soon to become Mayer, has an epiphany.
The boys are doing it tough, living with a mother who frequently absents herself and drinks too much. So it's not surprising that when Marty is offered a chance to study at an Orthodox Jewish school, or yeshiva, in New York, he jumps at it.
Switch forward thirty odd years and Mayer is still a student of holy scripture, that's all he has to do, thanks to the generosity of his father-in-law. His marriage to Sarah is not a happy one, weighed down by difficulties in conceiving a child. Things are all set to change again for Mayer when he gets the news that his mother has died. He will have to sit shiva for her and he'll see his twin brother again for the first time in decades.
David has had a completely different life to Mayer, having to learn the lessons of life the hard way. There have been a lot of drugs and career misfires, but now he's made his fortune in the e-cigarette market and turns up to collect Mayer at the airport looking the essence of prosperity. The two hardly recognise each other. A letter written shortly before their mother's death reveals the bombshell that the boys aren't technically Jewish which throws Mayer into a spin. With the help of their old rabbi, Yossi, he'll have the chance to remedy that situation, in a week's time.
But David's still a wild boy at heart and persuades his twin to travel to New York with him for the appointment for his 'conversion' in a muscle car he nicknames Daisy. They take their mother's ashes with them, the plan being to scatter them somewhere she would enjoy, and along the way collect an unappealing dog, but not Mayer's luggage, which has not arrived with him at the airport. David has plans that Mayer should enjoy his week of 'goyhood' and live a little, while Mayer is like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
"And due to an unprecedented turn of events, we find ourselves facing an entire week with empty schedules."
"You're talking about a vacation," Mayer said.
"A rehabilitation period to wrap our heads around the existential vortex we've fallen into."
"A vacation."
"A pilgrimage."
"I don't need a vacation. I don't want to wrap my head around this. If it were up to me, I'd spend the week in a medically induced coma."
"Listen, Ese, if there's one thing I've learned, it's when the going gets tough, the tough get in the car and drive."
The story builds in tension as Mayer is pulled in different directions - his sense that he must live according to religious principals constantly under fire. As Mayer struggles to rein his brother in, Sarah is continually on the phone about his luggage and her sudden plans to join him at his mother's house. She would be appalled by what Marty has been up to with David and all this adds brilliantly to the story's humour.
Meanwhile there is plenty of temptation on offer to a man who has never been tried before, particularly when the two hit New Orleans and David offers a ride to Charlayne, an attractive acquaintance of his who is about to walk the Appalachian Trail. David is the sort who lives for the moment and acts on impulse, so the road trip takes some unexpected turns.
Fenton piles on one madcap scene after another, putting our characters through their paces, and even allowing the dog, Popeye, a moment of glory. Intermingled with all this is some deep soul-searching - by the end of the book, the reader has an inkling that change is in the air for Mayer, and possibly for David as well.
It all adds up to an entertaining, feel-good read enhanced by lively dialogue as the characters bounce off each other. The writing is polished and witty and the story never lags for a moment. I enjoyed it immensely and will be keen to read more by this author. Due for release on 28 May, Goyhood is a four-star read from me..
Here's my review:
People often expect twins to be alike - even the non-identical ones. But you couldn't find two brothers more different than David and Marty Belkin, the main characters in Reuven Fenton's debut novel Goyhood. We meet them during a heatwave in small-town Georgia when they're twelve, the day that young Marty, soon to become Mayer, has an epiphany.
The boys are doing it tough, living with a mother who frequently absents herself and drinks too much. So it's not surprising that when Marty is offered a chance to study at an Orthodox Jewish school, or yeshiva, in New York, he jumps at it.
Switch forward thirty odd years and Mayer is still a student of holy scripture, that's all he has to do, thanks to the generosity of his father-in-law. His marriage to Sarah is not a happy one, weighed down by difficulties in conceiving a child. Things are all set to change again for Mayer when he gets the news that his mother has died. He will have to sit shiva for her and he'll see his twin brother again for the first time in decades.
David has had a completely different life to Mayer, having to learn the lessons of life the hard way. There have been a lot of drugs and career misfires, but now he's made his fortune in the e-cigarette market and turns up to collect Mayer at the airport looking the essence of prosperity. The two hardly recognise each other. A letter written shortly before their mother's death reveals the bombshell that the boys aren't technically Jewish which throws Mayer into a spin. With the help of their old rabbi, Yossi, he'll have the chance to remedy that situation, in a week's time.
But David's still a wild boy at heart and persuades his twin to travel to New York with him for the appointment for his 'conversion' in a muscle car he nicknames Daisy. They take their mother's ashes with them, the plan being to scatter them somewhere she would enjoy, and along the way collect an unappealing dog, but not Mayer's luggage, which has not arrived with him at the airport. David has plans that Mayer should enjoy his week of 'goyhood' and live a little, while Mayer is like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
"And due to an unprecedented turn of events, we find ourselves facing an entire week with empty schedules."
"You're talking about a vacation," Mayer said.
"A rehabilitation period to wrap our heads around the existential vortex we've fallen into."
"A vacation."
"A pilgrimage."
"I don't need a vacation. I don't want to wrap my head around this. If it were up to me, I'd spend the week in a medically induced coma."
"Listen, Ese, if there's one thing I've learned, it's when the going gets tough, the tough get in the car and drive."
The story builds in tension as Mayer is pulled in different directions - his sense that he must live according to religious principals constantly under fire. As Mayer struggles to rein his brother in, Sarah is continually on the phone about his luggage and her sudden plans to join him at his mother's house. She would be appalled by what Marty has been up to with David and all this adds brilliantly to the story's humour.
Meanwhile there is plenty of temptation on offer to a man who has never been tried before, particularly when the two hit New Orleans and David offers a ride to Charlayne, an attractive acquaintance of his who is about to walk the Appalachian Trail. David is the sort who lives for the moment and acts on impulse, so the road trip takes some unexpected turns.
Fenton piles on one madcap scene after another, putting our characters through their paces, and even allowing the dog, Popeye, a moment of glory. Intermingled with all this is some deep soul-searching - by the end of the book, the reader has an inkling that change is in the air for Mayer, and possibly for David as well.
It all adds up to an entertaining, feel-good read enhanced by lively dialogue as the characters bounce off each other. The writing is polished and witty and the story never lags for a moment. I enjoyed it immensely and will be keen to read more by this author. Due for release on 28 May, Goyhood is a four-star read from me..
June 1, 2024
The story of twin boys is as ancient as Esau and Joseph. In this story, David and his younger brother (by forty-three seconds) Marty are raised by a single mother in a small town in Georgia. Together, they make quite a team. Then their lives change one afternoon as they come home on their bikes and discover a rabbi talking to their mother. She confirms their Jewish heritage. This sets them on divergent paths. Marty takes this revelation seriously (and changes his name to the more Jewish sounding “Mayer”). He becomes a model Jewish student. He receives a scholarship and heads to New York for more study. There, he marries the daughter of a leading Orthodox Jewish scholar, who provides for their needs. He spends his life studying and living as an observant Jew.
David, on the other hand, becomes involved in all kinds lots of shady business deals. He makes and loses money, but mostly loses money. Then he finds success. Now middle-aged, their mother’s death brings the boys back together. She committed suicide and left behind another revelation in the form of a letter. While there to morn their mother’s death, and with the revelation that he’s not even Jewish, David encourages Mayer to go on a road trip as the brothers become reacquainted.
For Marty, who has lived his life in a sheltered Jewish enclave in New York, it’s a chance to really see the world, a sort of Jewish Rumspringa. The travels and his brother’s experiences amaze Marty. Along the way, we learn more about both brothers as well as Mayer’s marriage. They have a few close run-ins with the law, and adopt a dog.
In New Orleans, David picks up Charlayne, an African American social media influencer he met on the internet. She’s planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail, and David suggests to Mayer they drop off her at Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the trail. Two white guys traveling through the South with a black woman sets up some interesting encounters such as one which happened in a fireworks store. They even hike a day with Charlayne, allowing David a chance to experience nature and to ponder the meaning of worship. Charlayne, who has dealt with her own grief, gives Mayer a copy of book she’s read multi-times, C. S. Lewis’ A Grief Observed, which opens his mind up to the thoughts of non-Jews on the subject of grief. .
David also arranges for him and his brother to attend a Jewish retreat in the mountains. This allows for more interesting encounters, from a phony self-centered musician who acts as if he’s unable to walk, to a woman rabbi. The whole concept of a woman rabbi is beyond Mayer’s comprehension, but she opens his eyes to possibilities beyond previously narrow life.
I’ll save the ending of the book for the reader. This is a quick read, and there’s plenty of laughs along the way. I recommend reading the book. I read the book at a time I needed some chuckles, mostly while sitting in my father’s hospice room in the days before his death. But the book isn’t just humorous. Fenton explores the meaning of faith, belonging, race, and family.
My one wish is that the book would include a glossary of Jewish words used throughout the book. Such words are sprinkled throughout the book and add to the story. While I knew some of the words, most were unfamiliar to me. I found myself googling some phrases. The word “Goy,” used in the title is a Yiddish word for a gentile or non-Jew.
I received an advanced publication of the book for the purpose of reviewing the book. The book was published earlier this week.
David, on the other hand, becomes involved in all kinds lots of shady business deals. He makes and loses money, but mostly loses money. Then he finds success. Now middle-aged, their mother’s death brings the boys back together. She committed suicide and left behind another revelation in the form of a letter. While there to morn their mother’s death, and with the revelation that he’s not even Jewish, David encourages Mayer to go on a road trip as the brothers become reacquainted.
For Marty, who has lived his life in a sheltered Jewish enclave in New York, it’s a chance to really see the world, a sort of Jewish Rumspringa. The travels and his brother’s experiences amaze Marty. Along the way, we learn more about both brothers as well as Mayer’s marriage. They have a few close run-ins with the law, and adopt a dog.
In New Orleans, David picks up Charlayne, an African American social media influencer he met on the internet. She’s planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail, and David suggests to Mayer they drop off her at Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the trail. Two white guys traveling through the South with a black woman sets up some interesting encounters such as one which happened in a fireworks store. They even hike a day with Charlayne, allowing David a chance to experience nature and to ponder the meaning of worship. Charlayne, who has dealt with her own grief, gives Mayer a copy of book she’s read multi-times, C. S. Lewis’ A Grief Observed, which opens his mind up to the thoughts of non-Jews on the subject of grief. .
David also arranges for him and his brother to attend a Jewish retreat in the mountains. This allows for more interesting encounters, from a phony self-centered musician who acts as if he’s unable to walk, to a woman rabbi. The whole concept of a woman rabbi is beyond Mayer’s comprehension, but she opens his eyes to possibilities beyond previously narrow life.
I’ll save the ending of the book for the reader. This is a quick read, and there’s plenty of laughs along the way. I recommend reading the book. I read the book at a time I needed some chuckles, mostly while sitting in my father’s hospice room in the days before his death. But the book isn’t just humorous. Fenton explores the meaning of faith, belonging, race, and family.
My one wish is that the book would include a glossary of Jewish words used throughout the book. Such words are sprinkled throughout the book and add to the story. While I knew some of the words, most were unfamiliar to me. I found myself googling some phrases. The word “Goy,” used in the title is a Yiddish word for a gentile or non-Jew.
I received an advanced publication of the book for the purpose of reviewing the book. The book was published earlier this week.
January 29, 2025
I really liked the concept of this book - an orthodox kollel student finds out he's not really Jewish and goes on a road trip with his brother to find himself. However, I thought it was poorly executed. The characters didn't feel true to real life and the journey they went on really didn't hit. The author was a lot better writing secular characters than religious characters who felt like caricatures. I'd read another book by this author if it didn't involve chareidi Jews.
January 28, 2025
Two very different brothers come together for their mother’s funeral only to find out that she had lied to them and others,and as a result, they aren’t who they thought they were. One of the brothers is very committed to that identity, the other less so. The story is about their actual and metaphysical journey to find out who they are now. Very funny and moving.
March 31, 2024
As Emerson said, it’s about the journey – not the destination, and there’s something about a road trip that is transformative. They broaden and unwind the mind and soul, and like Australia, the USA is made for long driving adventures.
Reuven Fenton’s debut Goyhood, is a unique and unconventional take on the road trip story. Goyhood is a funny, heartfelt well crafted story that explores an existential crises bought on by the exposure of a family secret.
Marty and his twin brother David grew up poor with their single mother Ida Mae in Moab, Utah.
‘She also had a weakness for gin, amphetamines and men who smelled like motor oil.’
At age 12 when Marty’s mother explained to the boys that they were Jewish after a visit from the local Rabai (Yossi), Marty (now called Mayer) began a journey to become a religious scholar. Soon he moved to New York and married the daughter of a famous Rabai. David pursued a more wayward life smoking dope and chasing women and get rich schemes that inevitably failed until one day he got lucky.
‘He quit cigarettes, but smoked more weed than Willie Nelson.’
When Ida Mae took her own life, the now middle aged men, who have not seen each other for years, return to Moab for her funeral. Yossi hands the brothers a letter left by their mother in which she explains that they are not Jewish.
‘The thing is this: remember how I said I was Jewish? Don’t get me wrong, I’m Jewish in the sense that my husband was Jewish, all of my friends are Jews, my boss and best friend is a rabbi. I consider myself an honorary member of the tribe. But I know your mother’s got to be a Jew in order for you to be a Jew, and my mother? Not a Jew, Lord no. She hated Jews more than my dad. In fact her dad, Grampa Karl, was a Nazi of some kind. SS I think. Or Gestapo? Anyway, he and his family escaped to Argentina after “Der Krieg” before coming to the USA. Frau Abernathy would’ve flipped a biscuit if she ever found out I’d married a “Judensau.”’
For Mayer this means his whole life has been a sham, he’s not Jewish nor is he married. He decides to try and cover up the issue by converting to Judaism so he can continue his life as it was. Yossi helps him and a date is set for the ceremony in a weeks time.
‘You and me, we’re all we’ve got left.’
David suggests they go on a road trip for the intervening week. Mayer reluctantly agrees and the two men, along with their mother’s urn, begin a life changing adventure through the south of the USA to New York in a rented Charger. And in the vein of all good road trips it is transformative – but you’ll have to read the book to find out how.
‘Listen, see, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s when the going gets tough, the tough get in a car and drive.’
Themes include sibling and family dynamics, identity, relationships to faith and religion, belonging, self discovery and search for meaning. Goyhood will be published by Simon and Schuster in May, order your copy now.
Thanks to Reuven for the advance copy, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Reuven Fenton’s debut Goyhood, is a unique and unconventional take on the road trip story. Goyhood is a funny, heartfelt well crafted story that explores an existential crises bought on by the exposure of a family secret.
Marty and his twin brother David grew up poor with their single mother Ida Mae in Moab, Utah.
‘She also had a weakness for gin, amphetamines and men who smelled like motor oil.’
At age 12 when Marty’s mother explained to the boys that they were Jewish after a visit from the local Rabai (Yossi), Marty (now called Mayer) began a journey to become a religious scholar. Soon he moved to New York and married the daughter of a famous Rabai. David pursued a more wayward life smoking dope and chasing women and get rich schemes that inevitably failed until one day he got lucky.
‘He quit cigarettes, but smoked more weed than Willie Nelson.’
When Ida Mae took her own life, the now middle aged men, who have not seen each other for years, return to Moab for her funeral. Yossi hands the brothers a letter left by their mother in which she explains that they are not Jewish.
‘The thing is this: remember how I said I was Jewish? Don’t get me wrong, I’m Jewish in the sense that my husband was Jewish, all of my friends are Jews, my boss and best friend is a rabbi. I consider myself an honorary member of the tribe. But I know your mother’s got to be a Jew in order for you to be a Jew, and my mother? Not a Jew, Lord no. She hated Jews more than my dad. In fact her dad, Grampa Karl, was a Nazi of some kind. SS I think. Or Gestapo? Anyway, he and his family escaped to Argentina after “Der Krieg” before coming to the USA. Frau Abernathy would’ve flipped a biscuit if she ever found out I’d married a “Judensau.”’
For Mayer this means his whole life has been a sham, he’s not Jewish nor is he married. He decides to try and cover up the issue by converting to Judaism so he can continue his life as it was. Yossi helps him and a date is set for the ceremony in a weeks time.
‘You and me, we’re all we’ve got left.’
David suggests they go on a road trip for the intervening week. Mayer reluctantly agrees and the two men, along with their mother’s urn, begin a life changing adventure through the south of the USA to New York in a rented Charger. And in the vein of all good road trips it is transformative – but you’ll have to read the book to find out how.
‘Listen, see, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s when the going gets tough, the tough get in a car and drive.’
Themes include sibling and family dynamics, identity, relationships to faith and religion, belonging, self discovery and search for meaning. Goyhood will be published by Simon and Schuster in May, order your copy now.
Thanks to Reuven for the advance copy, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Read
January 11, 2025Fun read but doesn’t pass the bechdel test even a little. Justice for Sarah
June 9, 2025
Wowww I loved this so much!!!
I don’t know much about Judaism but that didn’t matter because I learnt along the way. It was so heartfelt and I felt so connected to the characters.
Always a sucker for a road tripping book fr
I don’t know much about Judaism but that didn’t matter because I learnt along the way. It was so heartfelt and I felt so connected to the characters.
Always a sucker for a road tripping book fr
May 26, 2024
I was interested in the core premise of this story, since I wrote a story with the same core question at its center (despite having a different plot, theme, genre) and was curious to see how the author tackled it.
I liked the fact that the ending wasn't obvious at all, meaning that I was in suspense throughout reading the book.
The adult coming on age story and the relationship between the brothers was moving.
The depiction of Orthodox Jews and Talmudic study felt very authentic. I was dissapointed though that most of the only Ultra-Orthodox characters were depicted quite one dimensionally and did perpetuate some negative stereotypes. I would have preferred to have Sarah's character more fleshed out. I felt the ending was too abrubt and should have focused more on the protagonists relationship with his wife.
I'm looking forward to reading this author's next work of fiction. Genuine and authentic portrayals of the Jewish community in fiction are so important!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I liked the fact that the ending wasn't obvious at all, meaning that I was in suspense throughout reading the book.
The adult coming on age story and the relationship between the brothers was moving.
The depiction of Orthodox Jews and Talmudic study felt very authentic. I was dissapointed though that most of the only Ultra-Orthodox characters were depicted quite one dimensionally and did perpetuate some negative stereotypes. I would have preferred to have Sarah's character more fleshed out. I felt the ending was too abrubt and should have focused more on the protagonists relationship with his wife.
I'm looking forward to reading this author's next work of fiction. Genuine and authentic portrayals of the Jewish community in fiction are so important!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
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