Wayfarers

by Arnon Z. Shorr

Wayfarers, the latest novel from acclaimed author and filmmaker Arnon Z. Shorr, weaves a thrilling tale of survival, faith, and the enduring power of heritage. Drawing from the timeless story of Exodus, this post-apocalyptic adventure is set in a world where religion is forbidden, and the struggle to preserve cultural identity becomes a matter of life and death.


In a desolate future where the totalitarian New Dominion has outlawed all religious practice, a group of Jewish refugees embarks on a perilous journey to the coast, seeking safety aboard a waiting freighter. Led by the courageous Rabbi Moshe and the skeptical yet resourceful Abe Katz, the group must navigate hostile landscapes, evade relentless pursuit, and confront internal doubts about faith and survival. Central to their mission is the protection of "the Ark," a digital archive preserving thousands of years of Jewish tradition. As threats from both outside forces and internal conflicts mount, Wayfarers explores themes of cultural resilience, identity, and the complex relationship between past and future.

Genres: Jewish, Dystopia

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2024

About the author

Arnon Z. Shorr is an author of Jewish genre fiction, where popular genres get remixed and reimagined with elements of Jewish history, folklore, tradition and culture. He is also a screenwriter and filmmaker.

Arnon's swashbuckling graphic novel, José and the Pirate Captain Toledano, is an expansion of his award-winning short film about Jewish pirates in the 16th century Caribbean. He is a 2024 Fellow of the JWI Screenwriters Lab, and a 2024-25 Fellow of the PJ Library Sephardic Stories Initiative. He was born in Israel, lives in Massachusetts, and considers Los Angeles his creative home.

Reviews

[Tovah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a post-apocalyptic adventure story about a group of survivors trying to escape a dystopian society, this book delivered on its promise. I was rooting for the main characters and engaged to the very last page.

The dystopia is sparsely described - not lacking, but minimalist. It is mostly seen through memory. I was left wanting to know a lot more about this world.

This is also a story of Jewish identity, and what that really means. I was moved by the characters’ reflections and realizations and their memories felt familiar despite the dystopian setting.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you find a book, and sometimes a book finds you.
I'm not usually a "post-apocalypse world" reader, but the Jewish themes in this one piqued my interest. I think this book may appeal to non-Jewish readers, but I feel like, okay, you've got 1000's of titles, let me bask in this genre fiction that is rarely afforded to me.
A page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Shorr's writing keeps the action and emotions flowing.

[James Atkison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting take on a different story

For a dystopian novel, Mr. Shorr did an interesting take on an old trope. He continues the story of the wandering Jewish people, but he gave them a secular antagonist. It changes the story but only slightly. Some secularists are like those in the story, but not most are not. It was a good read, but any who call for what was in this book deserve the fate of those written of here. Good read, give him a shot.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a first novel, it is brilliant. The little I know of Jewish history this book in a fictional future follows so much of what happened in the past and even today in this country. You can't pick one character that is outstanding in this book the entire group is necessary to create this page turner. Suspense.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and the storyline flowed. I like that it filled the reader in on the history of the story without disrupting the story or going into unnecessary detail.

[Alex Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! Quick paced, very relevant in our day and age. Some of the names were perhaps cliche, but once getting past that- it was delightful. I truly hope there is a sequel centered around a Yavneh-like plot line.

[Philip Weintraub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this post-apocalyptic adventure. I was excited to root for Moshe, Abe, Becky/Rivky and their ragtag group as they wandered through a New York State ravaged by war.

The balance between the physical and spiritual journeys was moving. The characters struggles with faith and doubt, how they wanted to hope but feared to, was incredibly moving.

While the book is written in an imagined time and place, it felt very present. It also echoed the journeys that many Jews have had to make over the millennia, escaping oppression in one country or another.

I truly enjoyed the journey and would be happy to read a prequel and/or sequel. How did the Senator gain his power? Why was he so vicious? What led to the Nee Dominion? I won’t ask the sequel questions so as not to create any spoilers!

[Jude Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” But Wayfarers is the exception to the rule: you definitely want to judge it by its cover! The stunning image not only grabs attention but also elegantly conveys the novel’s perspective, environment, and mood. In this dystopian tale, Shorr deftly explores the terrifying prospect of societal collapse under a totalitarian regime determined to eradicate entire religious and cultural groups—including the Jewish population. I found myself hooked by the characters’ tumultuous and fraught journey and couldn’t put the book down until I’d discovered the mystical key to the their survival.

[Mario Mirabelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a not so distant future, all religions are abolished and destroyed and only the New Dominion matters. As everyone scatters, is there any hope for anyone? Yes. A "tribe" of ten people led by Moshe are trying to save the Jewish religion with a compute fob containing the Torah and the traditions of the Jewish religion. Will they connect with a freighter to further there cause? Who is the jail escapee Abe Katz that stumbles upon the group and Moshe has an inordinate amount of faith in? Plenty of action, evil, and of course, faith. Read the book to find out all the answers and more in the only Jewish/religious I yet to come across.

[Zayden Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wayfarers is an exciting post-apocalyptic adventure that combines survival, faith, and cultural resilience in a gripping dystopian world. Arnon Shorr’s characters flawed yet compelling draw you into their perilous journey to protect the Ark, a digital archive of Jewish tradition. The worldbuilding is immersive without being overcomplicated, and the story keeps you on edge while exploring identity, religion, and human perseverance. A fast, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the last page.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science fiction is not my genre. I found that I wanted more explanation about a number of things in this book. Perhaps it is better suited for a YA reader.
On the other hand, it's really nice to read a book that has strong Jewish protagonists

[KinksToTheBone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about faith, and victory when all looked lost. Definitely a worthy read.