Author Josh Lambert Discusses "The Literary Mafia"

5342 Saint Charles Avenue,New Orleans LA 70115

24 October, 2022

Description

Josh Lambert, director of the Jewish Studies program at Wellesley College, shares his new book, The Literary Mafia: Jews, Publishing, and Postwar American Literature. In the 1960s and 1970s, complaints about a “Jewish literary mafia” were everywhere. Although a conspiracy of Jews colluding to control publishing in the United States never actually existed, such accusations reflected a genuine transformation from an industry notorious for excluding Jews to one in which they arguably had become the most influential figures. Josh Lambert examines the dynamics between Jewish editors and Jewish writers; how Jewish women exposed the misogyny they faced from publishers; and how children of literary parents have struggled with and benefited from their inheritances. In the end, we learn how the success of one minority group has lessons for all who would like to see American literature become more equitable. “From the very first page, this book is funnier and more gripping than a book on publishing has any right to be. Anyone interested in America’s intellectual Jewish history must read this, and anyone looking for an engrossing story should.” — Emily Tamkin, author of Bad Jews Admission is free and open to the community. A reservation is requested.