Jew and Improved
 First edition cover of Canadian release | |
| Author | Benjamin Errett |
|---|---|
| Subject | Religious sojourn |
| Genre | non-fiction, memoir[1] |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
Publication date | June 1, 2010 |
| Publication place | Canada |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
| Pages | 272 pp. |
| ISBN | 9781554684274 |
Jew and Improved: How Choosing To Be Chosen Made Me A Better Man is a 2010 non-fiction book by Canadian writer Benjamin Errett.[2] It was first published in June 2010 by Harper Collins and chronicles Errett's conversion to Judaism after becoming engaged to a Jewish woman.[3]
Synopsis
The book follows Errett as he decides to convert to Judaism after asking his girlfriend to marry him. During the process Errett deals with the changes to his lifestyle and the surprises that conversion brings.
Reception
The Quill & Quire gave an overall negative review, writing that the book "comes off as merely shmaltzy" and "though tasty, has little sustaining value".[4] In contrast, the Winnipeg Free Press praised the book as "light and likable".[5]
On the CBC radio show The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers, Toronto writer Catherine Gildiner calls the book the "Story of goy meets girl" and finds it carefree, witty and lighthearted with many funny one-liners, praising Errett's "turn of phrase" and comparing him to Jonathan Goldstein. On the other hand, Gildiner criticises him for downplaying the issues associated with his experiences and for not clarifying for his readers the reasons behind his conversion.[6]
Awards and honours
Jew and Improved received shortlist recognition for the 2011 "Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction".[7]
References
- ^ Goodreads, Jew and Improved, Book review, Retrieved November 23, 2012
- ^ "Benjamin Errett is Jew and Improved". Shalom Life. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Converting to a better man". Toronto: The Star. April 5, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Review: Jew and Improved". Quill & Quire. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Just become a mensch, my son". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ Gildiner, Catherine (May 10, 2010). The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers (Episode: Coffin Culture).
- ^ Faculty of Arts, September 1, 2011, Shortlist announced for the 2011 Edna Staebler Award, Wilfrid Laurier University, Headlines (News Releases), Retrieved November 23, 2012
External links
- Harper Collins Canada, Jew and Improved, Retrieved November 23, 2012