For the Relief of Unbearable Urges

Nathan Englander

Short stories; the author is an American Jew and most of the stories are about Orthodox Jews. Some set in Jerusalem, some in New York, some at the time of the Holocaust and some modern. A window into a closed world. The author writes well, good description of the circumscribed lives of Orthodox Jewish women. Some of the stories are very sad. Interesting stories. Recommended.
Doreen 23/7/00

A book of short stories by the (apparently, going by his picture) young author, who writes with the understanding and knowledge of the world of a 60-year old. The stories, all very powerful, are mostly about orthodox Jews; they have an undercurrent of sadness, and real humour. Really well written and highly recommended.
Jean 27/8/00

Short stories set in the Orthodox Jewish community. Every story is different, the story of the purged writers was the most memorable one.
Sean 21/1/01

Rory agreed with previous reviewers that this contained some excellent short stories. It was a window into Jewish Hasidic society, completely unknown to him, with a powerful emotional pull. The only disappointment was the last "story" which was more like a fragmented diary of the author, recently in Jerusalem.
Rory 25/03/01

The frames have gone all funny - click to make it good.