Foreskin's Lament

A Memoir

By: Shalom Auslander

Narrated by: Shalom Auslander

A bitingly funny memoir of growing up in a dysfunctional Jewish family and wrestling with a vengeful God.©2007 Shalom Auslander; (P)2007 Peguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Critic reviews

“Fierce, funny, and subversively heartfelt...With his middle finger pointed at the heavens and a hand held over his heart, Auslander gives us Foreskin’s Lament. Mazel tov to him. And God? Well, he’ll survive.”—New York Times Book Review

“Auslander writes like Philip Roth’s angry nephew... a scathing theological rant, a funny, oddly moving coming-of-age memoir, and an irreverent meditation on family, marriage, and cultural identity. God may be a bit irritated by this book, but I loved it.”—Tom Perrotta, author of Little Children and The Abstinence Teacher

“A laugh-out-loud quarrel with God.”—Newsweek

“A terrific book I was sad I read in so few sittings, because I wanted more.”
—San Francisco Chronicle

“Hilarious, caustic, and surprisingly moving.” —Philadelphia Inquirer

“Blasphemous and funny.”—Newsweek

“A surprise and delight.”—Boston Globe

“A fretful, self-effacing, bitter…hilarious story.”—The Houston Chronicle

“Wryly comic.”—New York Magazine

“Hilarious, caustic, and surprisingly moving.”—Philadelphia Inquirer

“A very funny memoir.”—GQ

“Lyrical, hysterical… funny and angry.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer

“An audacious, poke-God-in-the eye memoir.”—Miami Herald

Uneven ( & must love cuss words)

At first I thought: "Enough!" -- we've had too many stories of growing up in dysfunctional families and/or abusive authoritarian patriarchal religious systems, and besides, the constant swearing started to feel abusive to MY ears. But I picked up the listen again, only to put it down after another session, tired of the author-victim's contast whine, even if that style was part of the point he was making. But since the ultra-orthodox, dysfunctional Jewish family storyline was different background (at least to me), I resumed and am very glad that I did, as the memoir does amount ironically in the end to decent "theological reflection", as the book's promo promises. I preferred Naomi Alderman's novel, "Disobedience" on the same theme, however. (Maybe I am just too old for all that cussing-- at least in audio format)

I think the author could have circumsized several of the anecdotes from his boyhood/teen years and made a shorter and more effective book. Unlike some of the other listeners, I did like the author's narration since it was memoir, and his sardonic tone suited his writing voice.

Amazing

Listening to this book I heard my childhood read to me. Thank you for putting to words the complicated love/hate relationship we have with god.

Best memoir I have listened to in my life!

I had no clue what I was getting myself into when I purchased this book, and actually put in on the back-burner because I thought it would really suck.

It turns out that this is the best autobiography that I have ever listened to (or read) in my 48 years on this planet.

The memoir is very well written, full of great humour, and anyone who was raised by one or two domineering Jewish parents will especially relate to this book.

As an added bonus, the author narrates the books, which adds much authenticity to the story. I didn't even realize until the end of the book that is was narrated by the author, and kept thinking: What a great narrator; he really understands this story.

Those who already open minded will love this book; those who aren't will hopefully learn a few things!

Oh Shalom-I just love you

I too left the faith of my family and I get what that journey is all about. Orly is right, they really did a number on Shalom. Auslander speaks so deeply to the pain of spiritual abuse. By Shalom Auslander's stripes I am healed. I hope you reach your promised land. I have found mine!

Incredible and moving

Religion, doubt, pain, family, life, hope, heartache, all wrapped up very well in truth and humor. A++