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Bread Givers
Bread Givers
Author: Anzia Yezierska
Persea's 25th anniversary edition of this classic of twentieth-century American literature. More than 250,000 copies sold. Set on New York's Lower East Side during the 1920s, this is the moving story of a young woman's struggle to free herself from the traditional female role in an Orthodox Jewish family and society. Sara Smolinksy, the youngest...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780892550142
ISBN-10: 0892550147
Publication Date: 5/1999
Pages: 297
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 45

3.8 stars, based on 45 ratings
Publisher: Persea Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

gibsongirl avatar reviewed Bread Givers on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
i read this for a course on early 20th century American women's history. after i finished it, i realized it is one of those books i would have valued whether or not it was on a required texts lists. it's painful, frustrating and heartbreaking but also powerful and inspiring. even if your family has always been on solid financial footings and you agree with every decision your parents have made, you'll find connections and resonances with Yezierska's commitment to living a full life and finding a way to balance the obligations of family with the need for self identification.
reviewed Bread Givers on + 53 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
One of the books that I would have never discovered if it wasn't required reading for English class. Great description of the American immigrant experience.
reviewed Bread Givers on + 127 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A young Jewish immigrant breaks away from traditional roles in the 1920's. Set in NY- some very archetypal characters. A good read, a bit depressing or uplifting depending on whether you percieve the stereotypes or embrace the story of an independent woman.
MediumDebbi avatar reviewed Bread Givers on + 92 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Fantastic, exuberant story about how one little Jewish girl beat the matchmaking system and got the education she dreamed of. This is one of the best books about the issues inherent in marriage and life I have ever read yet. Very touching and real!
reviewed Bread Givers on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book is an excellent view into radical Jewish Immigrants at the turn of the century in America. It is heart wrenching and hopeful at the same time and can be very frustrating to the reader. It makes you want to finish the book to see what actually happens to everyone.
Read All 15 Book Reviews of "Bread Givers"

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jazzysmom avatar reviewed Bread Givers on + 907 more book reviews
Mesmerizing reading. The story of one Jewish imigrant girl, who fights to beat the ritual of matchmaking during the 20's and to live her life in the area her family ended up migrating to, New York. A hard read in many places. Sad. I had to lay the book down and walk around and digest before I could finish reading in a few places.I found I liked this author alot. The writing was smooth, didn't jump around. I second my review with the other reviewer's...this is a great read.
reviewed Bread Givers on + 9 more book reviews
great book on what it meant to be a Jewish immigrant in the early 20th century
reviewed Bread Givers on + 302 more book reviews
The struggle of the Jewish immigrants.
reviewed Bread Givers on + 2 more book reviews
good read

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