Children of the Ghetto


Read by Adrian Praetzellis

(4.7 stars; 30 reviews)

In this 1892 novel of London's Jewish East End, Israel Zangwill sets the apparently irrational and decidedly indecorous religious practices of transplanted eastern European Jews against the forces of assimilation. Zangwill's knowledge of Yiddishkeit and skill in melodrama created a series of unforgettable vignettes that had a significant effect on the public perception of this much stigmatized immigrant group.

Israel Zangwill (1864-1926) was born in London of Russian and Polish parents. He coined the term cultural "melting pot". (Summary by Adrian Praetzellis) (15 hr 17 min)

Chapters

Proem 32:46 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 1 The Bread of Affliction 22:16 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 2.1 The Sweater 18:56 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 2.2 The Sweater 27:32 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 3 Beauty & the Beast 13:36 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 4 Petticoat Lane 11:30 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 5.1 Malka 18:41 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 5.2 Malka 21:41 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 6.1 The Redemption of... 18:46 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 6.2 The Redemption of... 28:32 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 7 The Pauper Alien 18:42 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 8 The Wisdom of Solomon 18:06 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 9 Reb Shemuel 24:24 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 10.1 The Neo-Hebrew Poet 24:10 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 10.2 The Neo-Hebrew Poet 13:51 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 11.1 Esther and her Children 19:26 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 11.2 Esther and her Children 20:08 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 12 Dutch Debby 20:43 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 13 A Silent Family 17:20 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 14.1 The Purim Ball 16:15 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 14.2 The Purim Ball 19:13 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 15.1 Sons of the Commandment 15:35 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 15.2 Sons of the Commandment 23:22 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 16 Sugarman's Bar Mitzvah Party 31:47 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 17.1 The Hope of the Family 23:15 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 17.2 The Hope of the Family 11:19 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 18.1 The Holy Land League 18:29 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 18.2 The Holy Land League 22:58 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 19.1 The Courtship of Shosshi Shmendrik 23:49 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 19.2 The Courtship of Shosshi Shmendrik 22:27 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 20.1 The Hyams' Honeymoon 19:47 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 20.2 The Hyams' Honeymoon 14:52 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 21.1 The Hebrews' Friday Night 16:29 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 21.2 The Hebrews' Friday Night 21:17 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 22.1 With the Strikers 18:11 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 22.2 With the Strikers 24:51 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 23.1 The Hope Extinct 14:52 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 23.2 The Hope Extinct 15:16 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 24 The Jargon Players 17:54 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 25 Auld Lang Syne 24:22 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 26 The Dead Monkey 24:01 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 27.1 The Shadow of Religion 17:41 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 27.2 The Shadow of Religion 14:53 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 28.1 Seder Night 25:03 Read by Adrian Praetzellis
Chap 28.2 Seder Night 28:35 Read by Adrian Praetzellis

Reviews

A wonderful story!


(5 stars)

I've listened to this book at least three times and each time I've found something new to enjoy and admire in Zangwill's storytelling. He captures so beautifully the humor, wit, and intelligence of this particular group of people. I like that he demonstrates how we all have our particular ghettos or communities bounded by our peculiar language, customs and nonverbal communication that shows how much we have in common. Human beings all have their ways of connecting with each other. We are members of families who love our children and friends, we take a certain pride in our communities and what they represent and this is where we meet as members of the larger community of all humans. Zangwill's language is a joy to listen to and the interchanges between the characters are beautifully captured. They joke and needle each other with such great cleverness I often laugh out loud at their bickering. The Yiddish generously sprinkled throughout is a treat to hear and Adrian Praetzellis's accent and delivery are superb. He brings these characters to life, even the minor ones, and it's difficult to choose a favourite. In a way, this feels like a collection of ghost stories because these communities are long gone but their battles for existence, their fight to maintain the distinct identity of their own communities in a vast sea of "Christian" ignorance and stupidity is, to me anyway, immortal. I'm so glad to be able to hear these stories told with such warmth and understanding. Several of them are truly heartbreaking but each is told with sympathy and with the sense that the author is reaching out to commiserate with his characters. None of the stories are told in a way that makes the reader think, "Oh those poor Jews!" What is sad in these stories Is true among all human beings, not just Jewish communities. I think this is the greatest treasure of Israel Zangwill's writing--his ability to connect humans to one another while still telling the unique story of the Jewish community in Victorian times. Adrian Praetzellis's readings extend the connection to the listeners of his recordings. Thank you very much for your work Mr Praetzellis. It is a great mitzvah to this particular Irish American.

very interesting


(5 stars)

I loved the reader, Mr. Praetzellis. He brought the characters to life and made the book even more interesting. I didn't know anything about the London ghetto and the Jewish people living there but I do after hearing this book. There are a lot of people in this book and at times I got confused. I recommend listening to a chapter twice if this happens to you. There is a lot going on in this book. Highly recommended.

This Is A Great One


(4.5 stars)

Humorous insight into a world of which I’ve known very little. The culture of Eastern Europe is made available to all in this collection of the difficulties of young religious immigrants. Adrian Praetzellis puts life into written words. I listen to all of his readings; he’s awesome.

Reveals Orthodox Jewish Life From Long Ago


(4 stars)

The stories are compelling and well read. I could invision the characters and locations. I chuckled a few times but mostly I was saddened.


(5 stars)

Great story!! I listened to this book 3 times because there's so much info and people! I will definitely listen again!! Mr Adrian P is wonderful!!

Wonderful!


(5 stars)

I recently discovered this author due the reader being one of my favorites. I'm so glad to have done so!! Definitely recommending this one!!

great reader!


(5 stars)

Adrian is a great reader! The way he reads makes the book easier to understand.


(5 stars)

This is a wonderful book. Not to be missed, made great by the narrator, thank you!