Fabulous Small Jews

by Joseph Epstein

Witty, “utterly compelling” short stories about Jewish men of a certain age, by the New York Times–bestselling author of Snobbery (San Francisco Chronicle Book Review).

Set in Chicago and populated by characters ranging from lawyers and professors to scrap metal dealers, this collection of insightful and entertaining short fiction examines the crossroads and turning points of life, and the challenge of growing older and feeling suddenly adrift in a radically changed world.
 
“Epstein’s narrators tend to be tough, hardworking, and solitary men who have survived poverty, the Holocaust, ruthless competition, and impossible domestic situations only to confront old age and a jittery new world that to their pragmatic eyes seems neurotic, flimsy, indulgent, and vacuous. Yet Epstein’s heroes—guys like salesman Moe Bernstein, dry-cleaner mogul Artie Glick, a bartender, a scamming ex-con, and a few soulful academics—do not despair. They maintain their sense of humor, they take chances, they open their hearts, and they find life sweeter than ever before. As rich in clever banter as in philosophic musings, Epstein’s funny and wise stories celebrate independence, the inner life, generosity of spirit, and rolling with the punches.” —Booklist
 
“Epstein, always a graceful writer, also happens to possess a stand-up comic’s gift for punch lines.” —The New York Times Book Review

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Jewish

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Joseph Epstein is the author of, among other books, Snobbery, Friendship, and Fabulous Small Jews. He has been editor of American Scholar and has written for the New Yorker, the Atlantic, Commentary, Town and Country, and other magazines.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY!!! A great book of short stories each of which has the strength to stand on its own. The theme is the Jewish American experience: parental expectations, vagaries of luck, guilt, drive, true measures of success or meaningfulness. Laughs, tears, fears: it moved me enough to say this- READ THIS BOOK!!! Each story is powerful and polished. The criticism by others is that nothing new is explored. BAH, HUMBUG!!! Nothing new has been explored since the Greek tragedies. "Nu? What's to explore?"

[Audrey Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book on a list of “really great books”, and yet I had never heard of it. It is a book of short stories and perhaps the similarity of the narrator’s voice (age: old, location: Chicago and gender: male) of each story limited the book’s appeal, but I think it more likely that this is a little known book given its many gifts to be a result of marketing. I am a 73 year old female living in the south, and although some stories were better than others, I found the book to be a complete joy, deserving a much broader readership. With humor, insight, and generosity, the author allows us to look back at the lives of others, after time has taken its toll, and realize that we are all small Jews.

PS. I do think the stories should have been arranged in a different order; the first stories were not the best.

[Anthony Lipmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lovely title and was bought for me by my wife for my birthday as she has the blessing to be married to one of the subjects of this book. I am so delighted that she bought it for me as something of such apparent sectarian interest would rather put me off than stimulate my interest. In fact the book is a series of short stories, beautfully observed, that tell of unsuspecting heroics from unprepossesing raw material. I will say no more - but just read it and laugh and cry with me.

[Pablo · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, this book makes me want to shoot myself in the face. It's well written, though there's nothing in Epstein's style that stands out; no flourishes, no genius, just straight-forward story telling. Sadly, these stories feel redundant - old men who've abandoned their families in some way or another, and I couldn't helped but feel bogged down in their self-made misery.

[Richard Jespers · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to like about these eighteen stories mostly featuring characters over the age of sixty. Indeed, as the title suggests, each protagonist is short, yet Epstein never makes a to-do about it, and indeed it is a point of irony because many of them, though short in stature, are not small people. In fact, Epstein pulls readers into every narrative about poor Jews, poor Jews who become comfortable or well-off, or Jews who have always had money. Most everyone in these Chicago-based stories attends good schools, earns good money. But money alone cannot in any way make up for the heartache they suffer: marriages ending in divorce; fathers who die in war; widows looking (or not) for a man to fill their lives. Fabulous small Jews have their own stores, their own banks, their own restaurants and delis, their own you-name-its. Epstein very quietly limns the lives of Jews almost anywhere in the world: because of prejudices held against them for thousands of years they must band together to protect, coddle, nurture, and love one another. And yet, readers can’t help but love these characters, too: an old man belatedly gets to know his grandson (I cried); a man secretly writes poems about a woman and the executor of his will, to preserve the woman’s reputation, instead of burning the manuscript, spreads it to the four winds from his car window on the freeway; a man quietly helps another man to end his life. Is the act one of suicide, euthanasia, or murder? Epstein does not answer that question but leaves it to each reader to decide, and I admire his courage in taking such a stance.

A must-read for Gentiles (like me).

[Chelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another one of those free books I got from a rack outside of some bookstore in Nashville. I thought this book was about absolutely nothing I could relate to - it's a collection of short stories, all about Jewish, retirement-aged men in Chicago. But that's the beautiful thing about literature - certain themes are universal. In this book, those universal themes were loneliness, longing, fear of death, and the idea of what kind of "legacy" we leave behind. I recommend it - even if you're not Jewish or retired :)

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this collection of short stories. I was drawn in to each character and loved how each story left you with the main character either making or living with a major life decision. My favorites were "Artie Glick in a Family Way," "Don Juan Zimmerman," "A Loss for Words," and "Uncle Jack."

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read. A group of short stories about random, regular people and their time in this world. Although Jewish in theme,many of these stories represent the immigrant experience and the American middle class. Some are specifically Jewish and give insight into life after WWII.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A jewel of a book!
Would like to send a copy to six friends and then have a
book group discussion.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely writing and astonishing insight into the characters. I just kept thinking how "true" it all was as I read this group of fictional stories. Nice work, Mr. Epstein. I will read some more.

[Howard Jaeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am, to put it mildly, a big fan of Joseph Epstein. In fact, in my considered, if not especially informed – and certainly not weighty – opinion, he is the greatest living American writer. Include the dead ones and he still ranks very, very high.

Epstein is primarily known as a premier essayist, and I first came across his work in short pieces he wrote for the "Wall Street Journal," "Commentary" and the old "Weekly Standard." Once you’ve read a few of those, you will immediately want to read any piece bearing his byline, giving it priority over anything else on the page or in the publication. His incisiveness, wit and wisdom will leave you looking for more.

So, having learned that Mr. Epstein also did short stores, when I needed a break from an important but tedious history I was reading, his collection "Frozen in Time" was a natural choice. I loved it and quickly acquired a copy of "The Love Song of A. Jerome Minkoff," warning myself as I did not to let fiction unduly divert me my “golden years” objective of reducing, to some degree, my impressive ignorance on a wide variety of important subjects. Like the collection I had read earlier, the stories in "Minkoff "were immediately engrossing, highly entertaining and, not infrequently, very touching.

It’s a measure of how good a writer Mr. Epstein is, of the high expectations created once one gets a taste of him, that I was initially somewhat disappointed with "Fabulous Small Jews." Why, there were actually some stories in this collection that I didn’t love! There was even one that I didn’t quite understand (“The Master’s Ring”). What’s with that, Epstein? Aren’t you aware that I’ve praised you to the skies for your accessibility?

I should have delayed that rather spoiled reaction until I finished the book, the last stories of which are particularly strong. If more than a third of the stories in a collection are memorable and most of the rest are merely good; if one has been made to laugh out loud several times while reading the stories, and once or twice when recalling something from them hours later; if one hasn’t fallen asleep even once when reading until two in the morning or later, isn’t that enough?

The characters Epstein writes about in "Fabulous Small Jews" are mostly older or elderly men living without women because they are divorced, widowed or never married. They deal with regret, loneliness, aging, and the encroaching specter of mortality without self-pity, but rather with dignity and not a little humor. Nor have these characters given up on life, but remain sufficiently open to other people and happenstance events to allow for the possibility of new relationships and renewed meaning. Thus, there is a strong life-affirming air to many of these stories, but they are not pollyannaish; in one case, Epstein delivers a twist ending showing that people of any age who are bitter and purposefully isolated are likely to remain that way.

[Gary Manko · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fabulous Small Jews" by Joseph Epstein is a collection of eighteen short stories that intricately explore the lives of Jewish characters. Each story is a finely detailed portrait, capturing the essence of its characters with charm and depth. Epstein's writing is celebrated for its beauty and the way each story stands as a gem on its own. The stories delve into the modest yet significant lives of male characters, each chapter focusing on a different individual, making the collection a rich tapestry of human experience[4]. Overall, the book is praised for its engaging storytelling and nuanced character studies.

The characters in "Fabulous Small Jews" are memorable for several reasons:

1. Nuanced portrayal: Joseph Epstein crafts each character with depth and complexity, presenting them as fully realized individuals with unique personalities, quirks, and life experiences

2. Relatable struggles: The stories focus on men of a certain age grappling with changing values and personal crossroads, making their dilemmas universally relatable.

3. Vivid details: Epstein's keen eye for detail brings the characters to life, making them feel authentic and three-dimensional.

4. Diverse backgrounds: The characters come from various professions and walks of life, including lawyers, professors, scrap-iron dealers, and dry cleaners, providing a rich tapestry of Jewish-American experiences.

5. Emotional resonance: The stories capture poignant moments and turning points in the characters' lives, evoking empathy and emotional connection from readers[3][4].

6. Humor and wit: Epstein's writing often incorporates humor and sharp observations, making the characters both entertaining and insightful.

7. Cultural specificity: While the characters are distinctly Jewish, their experiences and struggles resonate with readers from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the universal aspects of human nature.

These elements combine to create memorable, multi-faceted characters that linger in readers' minds long after finishing the book.

[Jeff Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learn from Epstein's long and short essays. I enjoy and am entertained by his stories. Most of these stories are set in the Chicago area. These stories cover a wide range of situations and issues. All informative, believable, realistic. No violence or explicit sex.

The stories have a range of characters and story lines that include addressing gaining material wealth, professional success and failure, education, death of a spouse, new love gained and lost, becoming a grandparent, divorce. There are seventeen stories in this collection and they are all original. No story connects with another. Epstein's imagination and creative writing capabilities are on full display here. The only constant is that almost all of the characters in these stories are Jewish or connected to a Jewish heritage in some fashion. The challenge of navigating anti-semitism is present but understated.

I found these stories a pleasant way to unwind in the evening.

[SundayAtDusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Love Song of A. Jerome Minkoff: And Other Stories, I decided to read this book. (The fact it is currectly a Kindle Unlimited selection did have something to do with that.:) The first couple of stories made me think I might dislike this collection of short stories, but that fear went away as I continued reading. Like the above mentioned book, the stories concentrate mostly on older Jewish men in Chicago. The characters were interesting enough, but, like in the previous book, too obsessed with looks, both theirs and everyone else's. Nevertheless, it was still a highly readable collection. I do like Joseph Epstein's writing style.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories are fabulous small gems.

"This is the Oxford of sicknesses/Kings have lain here and fabulous small Jews/And actresses whose legs were always news... (from Karl Shapiro's poem Hospital)

Most of the stories are in the voices of Chicago Jewish men over fifty, usually living alone, often testy and wry about the goings-on in other people's lives. Amid the emptiness of their own lives that surrounds their careers and a few sets of handball with old friends, they view the rest of the world with irony and bemusement. I doled them out to myself, reading one each night before I fell asleep. Loved this collection from 2003.
(I've taken to raiding my husband's huge library downstairs since our public one is closed.)

[Barbara Rhine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a set of 18 short stories, and I read them all. And I liked them, though I'm one who generally prefers novels to the short story form. But these are well-written, straightforward and interesting. And bleak, especially about aging. And the overwhelming majority of narrators are male. And no one seems interested in a world broader than his own likes and dislikes. Still, though, if you are interested in the Jewish working class and middle class world in Chicago from the 1930's on up, these are worth your while.

[Stuart Shiffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this collection several years ago but decided to reread it. I had been reading the balance of Epstein's collections and wanted to complete my reading journey. I still find his writing extraordinary. Every story strikes a chord in my memory of growing up in Chicago and its suburbs. So many of his characters could be my members of my family or friends. Reading Joseph Epstein is like attending a family meeting. There are not a lot of authors I would like to have dinner with. But Joseph Epstein is one of them. Unfortunately most of the places we would meet for lunch are closed!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Epstein can write! Smart and funny, with many relatable topics --- aging (“dementia … the slide into full gaga”), sadness versus positiveness, marriage, divorce, bachelorhood, childlessness, etymology. (Having one’s “ashes hauled”, in Felix Emeritus)

“Postcards” (“And why don’t I call you Manny, short for maniac.”) brought to mind the epic pranks in “Letters From a Nut”.
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/sho...

[juulferg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently re-read this book of short stories that my sister gave me years ago, reminiscent as it is of our cherished Jewish family in the Midwest. Enjoyed it again. Contains 3 or so particularly endearing stories, the rest are good too. Probably most interesting to people with Jewish American background but well enough written to appeal to others too.

[Jordon Gyarmathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. I especially enjoyed the chapters "Moe," "The Third Mrs. Kessler," "Coming In with Their Hands Up," and "A Loss For Words." Very compelling stories, if a little similar to each other in their narrow view of aging Jewish men in Chicago with poor relationships.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, small stories ... took me a bit of time to get through, though I did enjoy.

[Jake Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bonus points for Chicago Yiddishkeit -- my hometown of Glencoe is mentioned probably 20 times -- but otherwise adequate stories.

[Jil · Rating 2 out of 5]

First two stories were great...didn't like the rest!

[Heidi Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epstein has great empathy and insight into his men. Female characters are not so real.

[Hedgehog · Rating 5 out of 5]

18 stories, 18 flawed people. Bittersweet, humane, insightful.

[Steve Gross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent but somewhat depressive writing, exclusively about older, male Chicago Jews.

[Brad Graber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book of short stories. So beautifully written. Can't wait to read this author's other works.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and often quite funny and astutely descriptive, but just as frequently very dark and sometimes downright depressing.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories, mostly about Jewish men in their 50's or older. Most of them are single--either widowed,divorced or (most often) never married). All of the stories are either set in Chicago or have some other connection to Chicago. The theme in most of these stories is the attempt of the main character to establish a connection to another person or the absence of connections for that character.

I thought the stories were, for the most part, pretty good but certainly not great. Since I'm from Chicago, I found the frequent geographic references to be enjoyable. One complaint I have is that the stories aren't dated. The book was published in 2003 and most of the stories seem to have been written anywhere from the late '60's through the early '80's, although the last couple of stories seem to be more recent. In any event, it would have been helpful to have dates in order to provide a context.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a certain sameness to the short stories in "Fabulous Small Jews," almost all of which are about aging, lonely, Jewish men living in Chicago. It's not just the subject matter that's the same, but even certain turns of phrase -- one in particular comes to mind, about a magazine that has more potential contributors than readers -- come up more than once. That's not to say it's a bad book -- it's well-written, and some of the stories are quite effective on an emotional level -- but it should be read in small doses to avoid the feeling that the same short story is being rewritten over and over.