The End of the Jews

by Adam Mansbach

The ruthlessly engrossing and beautifully rendered story of the Brodskys, a family of artists who realize, too late, one elemental truth: Creation’s necessary consequence is destruction.

Each member of the mercurial clan in Adam Mansbach’s bold new novel faces the impossible choice between the people they love and the art that sustains them. Tristan Brodsky, sprung from the asphalt of the depression-era Bronx, goes on to become one of the swaggering Jewish geniuses who remakes American culture while slowly suffocating his poet wife, who harbors secrets of her own. Nina Hricek, a driven young Czech photographer escapes from behind the Iron Curtain with a group of black musicians only to find herself trapped yet again, this time in a doomed love affair. And finally, Tris Freedman, grandson of Tristan and lover of Nina, a graffiti artist and unanchored revolutionary, cannibalizes his family history to feed his muse. In the end, their stories converge and the survival of each requires the sacrifice of another.
The End of the Jews offers all the rewards of the traditional family epic, but Mansbach’s irreverent wit and rich, kinetic prose shed new light on the genre. It runs on its own chronometer, somersaulting gracefully through time and space, interweaving the tales of these three protagonists who, separated by generation and geography, are leading parallel lives.

Genres: Fiction, Jewish, Literary Fiction, The United States Of America, Judaism, Novels, Book Club

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Adam Mansbach is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Go the Fuck to Sleep, as well as the novels Rage is Back, The End of the Jews (winner of the California Book Award), and Angry Black White Boy, and the memoir-in-verse I Had a Brother Once. With Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel, he co-authored For This We Left Egypt, a finalist for the Thurber Award for American Humor, and the bestselling A Field Guide to the Jewish People. Mansbach's debut screenplay, for the Netflix Original BARRY, was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and an NAACP Image Award, and he is a two-time recipient of the Reed Award and the American Association of Political Consultants' Gold Pollie Award, for his 2012 Obama/Biden campaign video "Wake The Fuck Up" and his 2020 Biden/Harris campaign ad "Same Old," both starring Samuel L. Jackson. Mansbach's work has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times Book Review, Esquire, The Believer, The Guardian, and on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, The Moth Storytelling Hour, and This American Life. His next novel, The Golem of Brooklyn, will be published by One World in September.

Reviews

[Oriana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a weird relationship with Adam Mansbach's books. I, like most people, first heard of him when Go the Fuck to Sleep took the entire literary world of those under 2 and over 35 by firestorm. I though it was a weird gimmicky silly book but good for Akashic for putting out a sleeper hit, and then forgot about it.

Then last year I stumbled upon a proof of his newest book, Rage Is Back, and was shocked to realize that the same guy had made a novel about graffiti writers in NYC in the '70s. I burned right through it, and it was so fucking great. I think I never got around to reviewing it because it was too awesome for me to do something slapdash and I never quite found the time for something meaningful, but good goddamn I loved that book.

So then, when I found this, which I think is is his first book, or at least several years before the fucking sleep book, I was super excited for more Mansbach.

Except nope, because this book was real bad.

I mean it wasn't bad bad, like poorly written or full of typos and plot holes or whatever. It was bad in a first-book kind of way, where you could tell he wrote it when he was young and drunk on his own earnestness and lofty literary aspirations. It's full of Big Ideas and Important Themes. It's tortuous, heavy, plodding, almost belligerently overwritten. There's no joy, no light-footedness, no soar, no delight.

Which is so strange, because all the seeds for Rage are here, even down to several of the characters and I think actually a scene or two, in nascent form. Or maybe it's not so strange; maybe every great writer has a first book to purge themselves of, to get out of the way and off their chests before they can get over themselves and write something with some beauty and brilliance that's not hopelessly stifled by its author's self-importance. Who knows.


Also I felt super uncomfortable reading this on the subway.

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam Mansbach's recent horror action thrillers betrayed a literary skills and credentials, but this book really brought home just how well the man can write. And talk about versatility, this one is miles away from Dead Run and Devil's Bag Man in almost every possible way, except for quality. The End of Jews is an exploration of several generations of a New York (Jewish, obviously) family and their wide circle of friends, lovers and acquaintances. Its timeline interweaving narrative is sprawling, ambitious and competent, putting one in mind of such generational epics as Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, although not quite as amazing. It covers a huge variety of subjects and being Jewish is only one of them. It deals heavily with cultural and ethnic identity, racial politics, authenticity, talent, love and family...which is of course quite a generic description, but I'm never quite sure how much specificity a review requires. At the heart of the story are two Tristans, grandfather and grandson, both authors of various success, and how their chosen vocation has shaped and affected their lives and lives of those near them. Because this novel is such an onion, some layers are more interesting than others, To me the highlight was the early chapters of Nina's life. Some parts I thought dragged on a tad. Here's the thing, though...this isn't a perfectly even narrative, some of it dealt with things I don't care very much about (graffiti, jazz, Adam Mansbach is hip. Very hip. And he lets you know it.), most of the characters I honestly didn't like very much and didn't care for their choices...and yet the fact that despite all that Mansbach created such a compelling story impressed me tremendously. It isn't an easy or a light read, but it's intelligent, challenging and good, really good. I can only imagine how magnetic it would have been with some less frustrating characters. Enjoyable, albeit in a very particular way.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mansbach is audacious, honest. He doesn't mind getting into the uncomfortable, embarrassing bits of ourselves. His prose has a bit of that neo-realist, hyper-pop-culturally aware thing that Lethem can do in his sleep (see Fortress of Solitude or You Don't Love Me Yet) but lacks some of the shades of subtlety. No worries, The End of The Jews proves that Mansbach is obviously possessing of a huge intellect and huge writer's balls, both of which should keep us reading him as he grows up.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading other's reviews, I wanted to clarify something for the non-Jewish readers who felt the title is misleading.
Jews are known to be negative. But in a comedic way.
Near the beginning of the book, Tris is describing his friend's lavish Bar Mitzvot to his grandfather who responds in typical jewish fashion with hyperbole. One can hear the old man, clearing his throat of phlegm and shaking is head and saying "It's the end of the Jews."
I grew up with these extremes. Just because something's evolved, my parents who were progressives, felt it was THE END.
It's funny when it's not so pathetic.
But in terms of this book, it shows that Tristen, who was a hip kid, turned typically curmudgeonly when he got older. After he says this to Tris, we watch this unfoldment play out through the rest of the story.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam Mansbach writes sentences I wish I had written. That is all.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's probably too early to say this, but Adam Mansbach might be my new favorite writer. I've only read this book and one other (The Golem of Brooklyn) but I'm so blown away, I want to to disappear for a month and read everything else he's ever written.

The End of the Jews is about three people and spans around seventy years. It follows a young Jew in the '30s in NYC; a young Jewish girl in Eastern Europe who doesn't even realize she's Jewish until she's told as a teenager, in the '80s; and finally a hip hopping, spray painting trouble maker who happens to be the grandson of the one and ends up being the partner of the other. Their lives are their own and they intersect and effect each other's. The come from vastly different places and times, but for everything that separates them, there are many more than bring them together.

I'm not totally sure I can say what the story is about (art? Family? Judaism?) but who cares. The writing is so good, and the characters are so full, that this book could be Seinfeldesque, literally be about nothing, and still capture my attention from page one until the very end, a short 308 pages later. Mansbach is funny, witty, brilliant, and can see the world through many different eyes. I can't wait to read more.

[Aaron]

After three chapters, I like the writing style and he has some great turns of phrase, but I just didn't want to keep reading. Each chapter was about a different person in a different time period, and they weren't grounded in anything and I just didn't care about the characters. The book was sitting out invitingly, but I never wanted to read it. I am curious to know if it started going anywhere, but my time wasn't worth waiting.

[Debralynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Not the End of the Jews

Only perhaps in this book. A family story, falling away from religion, culture and mores. Embracing not of another religion but culture. Is anyone any happier?

[Jonathan Gruber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly well written slice of life from several generations of a jewish family of writers who intersect in multiple ways with the world of black music, from Jazz to Hip Hop. Ultimately too thin on plot for my taste but worth it for the writing and characters.

[Modya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well written. Good story line. Ending seemed to come quite abruptly, but thoroughly enjoyed the quick read.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cross-generational, nonlinear, interdenominational, very entertaining. And, best I can see, we're still here.

[Paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cominciamo con il dire che il soggetto é già stato trattato e ruota attorno alla ricerca dell'identità: la domanda: sono nato ebreo e quindi sono ebreo con tutti gli annessi e connessi, o la mia ebreitudine é qualcosa che intralcia e condiziona la mia individualità, il mio divenire quello che sono?
La risposta del Mnsbach non é feroce come quella di P. Roth. (Il lamento di Portnoy), non é intellettualistica come Jacobson (Kalooki nights) e non é visceral-rivendicativa come Auslander (Il lamento del prepuzio).
L'inizio, il Bronx degli anni della seconda guerra mondiale e la famiglia ebrea di Tristan, il capostipite della saga famigliare che Mansbach ci racconta, mi ha ricordato Will Eisner e le parole , le atmosfere, gli ambienti i personaggi del romanzo diventavano immagini dal suo tratto caratteristico.
(Non a caso F. Pacifico traduce tutte e due gli autori. Si percepisce "un'aria di famiglia" nella lingua, nella scelta dell'impostazione della preposizione, nello slang utilizzato, che ricompare nelle due traduzioni, provate a leggere Contratto con Dio - La trilogia di WE e poi questo libro e capirete cosa intendo dire).
Poi il romanzo decolla e la prosa di Mansbach affascina e intrappola, dialoghi divertenti, momenti drammatici, ottimo scavo nella psicologia dei personaggi, e storia che avvince.
Il soggetto é trattato con sensibilità, alcune provocazioni e una buona dose di humour:
" E dov'é che sei andato a bere?"
" A un bar mitvah. Mettevo i dischi".
" Capisco. E mi sapresti dire quanto é costata più o meno la festa ai genitori di quel coglioncello?
" Parecchio. L'affitto della sala in sinagoga costa qualche palo. Poi ci metti il mangiare, la musica, il regalino. Per ogni ragazzino c'era una scarpa da ginnastica in ceramica con il nome stampigliato sopra - da usare come portapenne direi. Le avevano riempite di M&M'S verdi, perché il festeggiato le adora. Ah, e c'era un pittore che faceva le caricature degli ospiti".
Tristan scuote la testa. " Che cazzo, é la fine degli ebrei".
(il voto sarebbe 4 stellette e mezzo, 4 troppo poche, 5 troppe).

[Marloes Baren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never heard about the author or any of his books before and had no idea what to expect. I read it with an open mind, with no expectations and found myself pleasantly surprised.

I find his style absolutely charming. An example that comes to mind from the very beginning of the story (avoiding spoilers) is a description of a character going up the stairs in the apartment building, going up 'several blending food smells'* before reaching his destination, which took me right to an old rotten Parisian apartment building I was staying in years ago and it made me smile. The book is full of moments like that.
The character depictions were absolutely interesting, sometimes relatable, sometimes dark, and often both.
The different storylines and the way they blended was also something I enjoyed a lot, though this probably demands reading at a good pace. Putting the book down several times for a few days might make a reader confused or disengaged easily.

This is a book I have recommended to friends and I am definitely eager to read more from this author.

*I read the Dutch translation; my English version of this segment is probably not consistent with, or as pleasing as, the original text.

[Elliot Ratzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This worthy novel traces the rise and plateau-ing of two Jewish writers: the promising “New York Intellectual” who scandalizes the community with a novel about Jewish slave owners and the grandson, an aspiring writer with a weak first novel. Both are entangled with black creativity, befriending and serving musicians in various capacities. Both have spouses who are artists, a poet and a photographer. The sacrifices all make for art loom large: women who live in the shadows of male creators, friendships damaged for spiteful senses of integrity, lovers betraying their own best natures. There is a lot to love here: passages to admire, descriptions to commit to memory, and turn-of-phrases to deploy on occasion. There is also much that isn’t lovable. Some characters, even the well-drawn ones, rub you the wrong way and don’t earn your admiration. Nevertheless, with its attention to the routines of creativity, Adam captures something deeply meaningful, even spiritual, among these secular Jews.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book---my four stars as I found some uneveness in the tone, but overall a great book. You feel as though you are in the lap of the main characters; their souls are very palpable and the differences between them strong and convincing. You feel the tension of the struggling artist; the inextricable pull toward artistic fulfillment at the compromise of their Jewish heritage. I love the relationship between Tristan and his grandson Tris/RISK---it makes the strain of Tris' relationship with his mother Linda bearable. Their adventure in the rail station is wonderful. I love the beginning stories of each character (Tristan, Tris, Nina, Amelia and Marieko)...with the exception of Nina's story which seems to go on for too long and loses the reader. I found her weaknesses, although understandable, to be frustrating as her potential for fullness is so strong. A great read that still lingers with me.

[Lefty Right · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are insights into the human mind in this book which made me realise a lot about myself. There are also unashamedly truthful repreentations of what it is to be an artist with high ambition. The author's ability to be able to create characters and so sincerely represent their psyche is amazing.
The ending, although shattering, was perfect. This book leaves a lingering taste.

As a side note, I have noticed people dislike the title. I thought the title was fitting. It seems like the kind of title Tristian or Tris would use to shock Jews or create notoriety. I also think it links with the theme of the book, that these Jewish characters' ambitions and need to prove themselves has untimately destroyed their lives. Whether this is meant to be a gerneral statement aimed at the Jewish people as a whole, I do not know.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book, and I must say, Mansbach has a true gift for language and for creating a compelling plot. Mansbach is fond of using clever metaphors and similes in order describe his characters' actions, and this adds even more depth to the story. It was interesting how he addressed relations between Jewish and African-American communities, in how they share a common history of suffering. This witty drama reminds me of a movie Woody Allen would make, since it addresses estranged Jewish families who struggle with their creativity, identity and interpersonal relations, yet manage to maintain a sense of humor. I had no idea who Adam Mansbach was before randomly finding this book at the library, but with his talent for drama, he should be famous for books like these, rather than "Go The Fuck to Sleep".

[Howard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two generations of Jewish writers -- a grandfather and grandson -- and their partners, a poet and photographer respectively, are depicted in this novel that deals more successfully with the relationship between life and writing than the Jewish survival question, which the title suggests. The elder writer has elements of Norman Mailer and Philip Roth about him, I suppose, while the younger deals with having grown up white among hip hop artists and taggers.

While I didn't find this impossible to put down by any means, I was eager to be reading the book and curious to see how Mansbach, about whom I know nothing, would wrap it all up. Not a must read by any means, but an intelligent, engaging page turner in my estimation.

[Adina · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I never actually finished this book. I don't really know why I couldn't get through it. The story itself wasn't bad but the constant jump in time and characters from chapter to chapter was SO confusing. Had I had the time to read this book quickly, I probably could have finished it, but since I picked it up and put it down, I kept forgetting what I had read before. Sometimes I couldn't make heads to tails of which character I was reading about - between Tris, Tristan etc.
I need more continuity!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mansbach's family saga seems more concerned with the making of art than the making of Jewish identity, but his story of writers, photographers and the occasional jazz musician is highly entertaining and moving. I liked his characters, though I would have liked a little more background on how the young Tristan Brodsky who yearns to be a writer and escape the Jewish ghetto of the Bronx morphs into a somewhat tyrannical old man. And Mansbach is interested in the Otherness of being Jewish and to what degree that does or does not shape our lives and sense of self in 21st century America.

[Chrissie · Rating 2 out of 5]

What don't I like about this book? I guess it is the tone of the book, the language the author uses. Both this and Siri Hustved's What I Loved were about art; bothe were about very violent behavior and about human relationships, but something was missing in this book. It was not way as intellectual, and it never gripped me as the other did. Mansbach did capture the characteristic dialogue of different age groups, of blacks, of Jews, of immigrants.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great author, great story, enjoyable read. It's a page turner, although maybe a bit slow to get into. It's wroth following the lives of these characters as they deal with each other and face family trouble. Yes, the title if provocative but I think it's a shame that some people feel let down because the title didn't live up to their expectations! Did you read the jacket? Didn't you know what it was about?! It's great. Worth the time. There's a lot to be learned from Mansbach.

[amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny and insightful book about identity and family that you just can't put down. It's an intergenerational coming-of-age story. Weather musicians, writers, or graffiti artists, the characters in this story are very real and you can't help but root for them even when they seem to be getting it all wrong.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The End of the Family" would've been just as fitting a title for this book -- it only happens that they're Jews. Parallel stories of novelists grandfather and grandson trying to claw into the literary world.

Really, really well written, with characters you're not quite sure you like but are interesting enough you want to meet 'em anyway.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first chapter I was worried that this was going to a be a dry historical novel, but it ends up spanning three generations of Jews and presenting some interesting arguments about the sources of one's fiction writing and how the writer persona can affect one in the arenas of friendship and family. Mansbach does a great job inhabiting a diverse and colorful cast of characters.

[Bobbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd like to give this book another half star. The exploration of the theme of the sacrifices people make to create art were especially interesting to me and the family relationships so real and poignant. The title is a bit misleading. I did get weary by the end, which is why I'm not rating the book higher.

[AnonymousReaderPerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you only like page turners, look elsewhere. I'm convinced that there are some novels that really don't have a "plot," because the characters are alive enough to just be who they are, interact with each other, and that becomes compelling enough. That's the simplest way to explain the greatness of this story.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family saga of intellectual Jewish family starting in the 1930s up until the 2000s. Shows the intersection of the Jewish and black, and immigrant experience. Quirky cast of characters. Mr. Mansbach created characters that really became living and breathing. I felt like a family friend by the end of the book. Grandfather and grandson by the unlikely name of Tristan Brodsky.

[Meri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging, terrific book with solid, stellar characters and fantastic language. The plot sustains from start to finish. It deserves every bit of positive attention it's been getting. A great read!

[Hannah]

I saw Mansbach's other novel, Angry Black White Boy, adapted for the stage at Intersection for the Arts. This looks even better.