Fervor

A Novel

By: Toby Lloyd

Narrated by: Genevieve Gaunt

* FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION and DEBUT FICTION * FINALIST FOR THE SAMI ROHR PRIZE *

A “magnificent” (The New York Times), chilling, and unforgettable story of a close-knit British Jewish family pushed to the brink when they suspect their daughter is a witch.

Hannah and Eric Rosenthal are devout Jews living in North London with their three children and Eric’s father Yosef, a Holocaust survivor. Both intellectually gifted and deeply unconventional, the Rosenthals believe in the literal truth of the Old Testament and in the presence of God (and evil) in daily life. As Hannah prepares to publish an account of Yosef's years in war-torn Europe—unearthing a terrible secret from his time in the camps—Elsie, her perfect daughter, starts to come undone. And then, in the wake of Yosef’s death, she disappears. When she returns, just as mysteriously as she left, she is altered in disturbing ways.

Witnessing the complete transformation of her daughter, Hannah begins to suspect that Elsie has delved too deep into the labyrinths of Jewish mysticism and gotten lost among shadows. But for Elsie’s brother Tovyah, the truth is much simpler: his sister is the product of a dysfunctional family, obsessed with rituals, traditions, and unbridled ambition. But who is right? Is religion the cure for the disease or the disease itself? And how can they stop the darkness from engulfing Elsie completely?

Bristling with the energy of a great campus novel and the unsettling, ever-shifting ground of a great horror tale, Fervor is a powerful family story—and “fans of Isaac Bashevis Singer and Stephen King alike will thrill to this superb modern folk tale” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

Critic reviews

"...Gaunt keeps listeners engaged, tracking the curious qualities of all five of the dysfunctional Rosenthal family members. Gaunt’s portrayals and dynamic scenes allow the characters’ realities to depict weighty issues such as Jewish mysticism."

Must listen - read - one of the best

Great performance, not really horror, more horror adjacent. Loved the lack of subtlety and confidence. Very Jewish in the very best way.

Powerful story

Very powerful story and excellent performance. What a great writer!!! What a great story! Enough?

Finding a Place

“Fervor” was both entertaining and thoughtful, almost philosophical in its consideration of the roles of Jews in modern British life. Members of the Rosenthal family, whose grandfather survived concentration camps and whose grandchildren wrestle with his legacy, are strong-willed and determined. They are also wildly eccentric. Hannah, the mother, writes shockingly frank memoirs about her family that embarrass the others. Tovyah, the youngest, goes to Oxford, where he resists a social life despite the encouragement of his “sort of Jewish” hallmate Kate, who narrates much of the novel. And Elsie, the middle child, is some kind of mystic, who may or may not have powers to communicate with the dead.

The novel’s digressions into Jewish history and mysticism fit well and are interesting. The novel takes some surprising turns, and I was always engaged to learn what would happen next. The narration was excellent.

Jewish tradition

A very dark story with no real conclusion. I was disappointed in the loose ends

Climax? i hardly know her?

this book is really strange and unsettled me. it was surprisingly short for the amount of subject matter it appears to mention. i once again, find myself bitter and questioning myself why i felt i should PAY for this book.