Reviews
"In short, Stavans is an old-fashioned intellectual, a brilliant interpreter of his triple heritage-Jewish, Mexican, and American."-Henry Louis Gates Jr., "Stavans's charming and erudite prose will draw in even those unfamiliar with his subjects."- Publishers Weekly starred review, "In the void created by the death of his compatriot Octavio Paz, Ilan Stavans has emerged as Latin America's liveliest and boldest critic and most innovative cultural enthusiast."- Washington Post , "This major collection of Ilan Stavans's shorter writings confirms his place as a premier interpreter of the Jewish experience in the Americas."-Philip K. Jason, Jewish Book Council, "Born in Mexico City and educated in a Yiddish-language school, Stavans (Latin American and Latino Culture/Amherst Coll.; Gabriel García Márquez: The Early Years , 2010, etc.) collects some of his journalistic output as a deeply engaged cultural observer....In "What Melting Pot?" Stavans delivers a moving, detailed take on the profound changes the author has observed in Jewish American identity through language and literature.... Stavans provides a relevant, fresh point of view." Kirkus Reviews , September 15th 2012"In short, Stavans is an old-fashioned intellectual, a brilliant interpreter of his triple heritage - Jewish, Mexican, and American." - Henry Louis Gates Jr."In the void created by the death of his compatriot Octavio Paz, Ilan Stavans has emerged as Latin America's liveliest and boldest critic and most innovative cultural enthusiast." - Washington Post "Ilan Stavans is the rarest of North American writers - he sees the Americas whole. Not since Octavio Paz has Mexico given us an intellectual so able to violate borders, with learning and grace." - Richard Rodriguez, "A wonderful collection. . . . Stavans is an engaged cultural observer with a gift for the written word."--Sonia Smith, Association of Jewish Libraries, "Born in Mexico City and educated in a Yiddish-language school, Stavans (Latin American and Latino Culture/Amherst Coll.; Gabriel García Márquez: The Early Years, 2010, etc.) collects some of his journalistic output as a deeply engaged cultural observer....In "What Melting Pot?" Stavans delivers a moving, detailed take on the profound changes the author has observed in Jewish American identity through language and literature.... Stavans provides a relevant, fresh point of view." Kirkus Reviews, September 15th 2012"In short, Stavans is an old-fashioned intellectual, a brilliant interpreter of his triple heritage - Jewish, Mexican, and American." - Henry Louis Gates Jr."In the void created by the death of his compatriot Octavio Paz, Ilan Stavans has emerged as Latin America's liveliest and boldest critic and most innovative cultural enthusiast." - Washington Post"Ilan Stavans is the rarest of North American writers - he sees the Americas whole. Not since Octavio Paz has Mexico given us an intellectual so able to violate borders, with learning and grace." - Richard Rodriguez"Pieces on Sephardic literature and whether of multiculturalism in American society is real or illusory demonstrate that even when deployed in a longer format, Stavans's gifts as an essayist are not diminished. Though intimidatingly particular at first glance, Stavans's charming and erudite prose will draw in even those unfamiliar with his subjects." Publishers Weekly, November 2012, "In short, Stavans is an old-fashioned intellectual, a brilliant interpreter of his triple heritage-Jewish, Mexican, and American."-Henry Louis Gates Jr. , "This major collection of Ilan Stavans's shorter writings confirms his place as a premier interpreter of the Jewish experience in the Americas."--Philip K. Jason, Jewish Book Council, "Ilan Stavans is the rarest of North American writers-he sees the Americas whole. Not since Octavio Paz has Mexico given us an intellectual so able to violate borders, with learning and grace."-Richard Rodriguez, "A wonderful collection. . . . Stavans is an engaged cultural observer with a gift for the written word."-Sonia Smith, Association of Jewish Libraries, "In the void created by the death of his compatriot Octavio Paz, Ilan Stavans has emerged as Latin America's liveliest and boldest critic and most innovative cultural enthusiast."- Washington Post
