Reviews
"[A] powerfully moving and ambitious debut. . . Talented and compassionate, Gilmore is a writer to watch."-- "Publishers Weekly" (starred review), "Gilmore has crafted a fine, sweeping novel of Jewish immigrant America, a 'golden country' in which History made people, while people struggled and made History. Deftly written, continuously interesting, and enjoyable, Gilmore's novel illuminates the rewards -- and the cost -- of the American dream."-- Yann Martel, author of "Life of Pi", "In Jennifer Gilmore's gleeful overthrow of the Jewish American novel, the most significant force in her characters' lives isn't guilt, or God, but the gilded temptations of organized crime, and redemption is attained through such unexpected means as a household cleaning solution. As tender as it is irreverent, "Golden Country" is a glittering debut."-- Susan Choi, author of "American Woman", "Sharp and funny, Jennifer Gilmore's debut novel roller-coasters through the first half of the twentieth century, showcasing not only her intelligence, her wit, and her intimate knowledge of Jewish culture but also an uncommon depth and humanity."-- Adam Langer, author of "Crossing California" and "The Washington Story", ..."A tale rich in folklore and history, revealing to us that there's more to Spock's home planet than meets the eye. And if you think you know all there is to the planet Vulcan...think again."-- Bill Williams, trekweb.com, ""Golden Country" is a brilliant re-creation of mid-twentieth-century New York City and the way it shaped and was shaped by Jews who came to seek their fortunes in a land that turned out to be paved not with gold, but with comedy and tragedy, unexpected success and not always undeserved failure. Like E. L. Doctorow's "Ragtime," "Golden Country" manages to catch the spirit of history through the lives of individuals. Jennifer Gilmore's characters are wonderfully human, and it is exciting to watch their lives change as they move from the slums into the interconnected worlds of school, business, crime, and the theater." -- Alison Lurie, author of "Foreign Affairs" and "Truth and Consequences"
