For the Relief of Unbearable Urges : Stories

Rating:
Summary: Yet another Blood Libel!
Review: An angry young man who finds libeling Orthodox Jews the best way to vent his personal frustrations, this author like so many others, misses the main point. A overwhelming majority of Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews are extremely happy with their situations and live very satisfied meaningful lives. Let the author or some of some of his fans come spend a Shabbos in a Chassidic Community such as Boro Park, and will find out that fact is very different than fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Promising yet Mediocre
Review: Englander needs to find his own voice. You can tell he's the product of those countless writer workshops in IOWA because he writes the way all of them write - like Raymond Carver. Of course, ENGLANDER has carved himself a nice little niche by writing about Orthodox Jews instead of the typical middle class malaise. He shows promise but he needs to find his own voice.

Rating:
Summary: Didn't meet expectations
Review: I had eagerly awaited reading this book but found it neither as bad as some reviewers have stated nor as perfect as others. The stories are thought-provoking, interesting and have nice touches. But the endings always left me disappointed. Other than a chance to learn about a different culture I probably wouldn't recommend the book to a friend.

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Sympathetic to Orthodox Women
Review: Of all the reviews and comments re: this book, I was very impressed at something which no one has yet mentioned: Englander was very senstitive to Orthodox women, in the sense that he portrayed extremely well those women who felt constrained by orthodoxy. In particular, I am referring to the short story re: the woman 'agunah', the grass widow, who wants a Jewish divorce so very badly, that she conspires to kill the matchmaker. Also I was very impressed by the story re: the wigmaker, the woman who loves beauty, but is unable to express herself as fully as she would like within the confines of the Orthodox culture. For those who have commented that Englander is cynical about religion, that he refuses to find the "good" in Orthodox Judaism, in any strict system there are those who like it and those who don't. He is sympathetic to those who feel constrained by it, and shows their plight. I have known such people, and am happy that a few writers are dealing with them. Keep up the good work, Nathan. We look forward to more stories re: the world you were raised in.

Rating:
Summary: DO NOT MISS THIS MASTERPIECE!!!!
Review: AN ANAZING DEBUT SHORT FICTION BY A VERY TALENTED YOUNG WRITER!

Rating:
Summary: A stunner
Review: A number of people here seem to be reviewing other books, novels by writers like Singer, Malamud etc. Some say Englander is as good as those writers, others say he doesn't come close. One -- shortsighted -- reader seems to think that people shouldn't bother to read any new writers at all and that the comparisons to Singer etc., are almost blasphemous. Englander has been compared to some great writers, authors of books I love, how nice for him. But to consider him an above or below average Malamud read-alike is to do Englander a great disservice. He is a hugely funny writer of painfully sad stories. A few such writers come along every generation. We should cherish, and read those who came before, and we should also welcome the newcomers. Welcome Nathan Englander. You keep writing, I'll keep buying.

Rating:
Summary: After the second reading......
Review: Just finished reading For the Relief of Unbearable Urges the second time. Critics are comparing this gifted young writer to Singer, Malamud, Weisel and Bellow. Not bad company! However, Englander's voice is so unique, so fresh, so original it defies comparison. Can't wait to read it again!

Rating:
Summary: For The Relief From Unbearable Reviewers: Pfffffffffffffffht
Review: I read the book, was entertained and enlightened, thought the author effective in creating vivid characters and unusual,ironic situations through insightful writing. Then I find the author was derivative! Outrageous. How dare that Englander fellow publish when clearly we should all be reading SingerBellowMalamud (all of whose rejects were better than Englander's best)! I shall now go back and read the sacred texts: Should I start with Herzog? Or Augie March? God spare me...

Rating:
Summary: A dissapointment
Review: I quickly tired of Englander's mocking of Orthodox Jews and caricatures of women who just really didn't understand their husbands.

Rating:
Summary: Plastic, poppy fodder for the 90's boobery age
Review: This book has the distinct feel of the vapid, glossy magazines that "synergize" celebrity profiles, "art" features and "profound" issues as a new form of disposable pop, the marketing of cool. It looks like a pale imitation of Saul Bellow and other classic writers as told to Soho art gallery promotional copy writer. It belongs in the Bret Easton Ellis universe of soulless prefab chic and dumbed down "essential reads" for yuppies, New York media types and professional snobs. Beware, and before you buy the hype, check the originals. Invest your money, and specially your time, in Isaac Bashevis Singer.