Whistling in the Dark: Personal Essays
by Lucienne S. Bloch
Lucienne S. Bloch’s lyrical personal essays contemplate the universal themes of memory, belonging, survival, and identity. These thoughtful essays spring from Bloch’s perspective as a refugee from Hitler’s Europe whose parents who longed for, but could never return to, their European lives. Living in but never feeling truly of New York, Bloch has a frame of reference that allows her to capture that city, and life, with unique and meditative insights.
Book Details
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Memory and nostalgia
Immigration and cultural identity
Family and generational trauma
Belonging and alienation
Aging and reflection -
"The recipient of multiple poetry awards, author of two novels, and columnist for the New York Times, Bloch is a talented writer whose prose effectively balances an erudite writing style with accessibility. Though its stories are based on the author's unique experiences, the book eloquently captures global feelings of adolescent optimism, postmodern ennui, and the ubiquity of alienation among immigrants. Fans of Bloch may be left wanting more recollections pertaining to her writing career and work inside New York's publishing industry. A moving collection that uses memoir to explore universal human experiences." -Kirkus Reviews
"Eloquent, interesting, memorable, "Whistling in the Dark: Personal Essays" will be of special appeal to readers with an interest in Jewish and Women's memoirs as well as emigrant/immigrant biographies." -Midwest Book Review