Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy

"Pogrebin writes with sympathy and affection...A wise, funny look behind the curtains of a family that, it would seem, has little to be ashamed of." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review An intimate memoir from a founding editor of Ms. magazine who grew up in a Jewish immigrant family mired in secrets, haunted by their dread of shame and stigma, determined to hide their every imperfection--and in denial or despair when they couldn't. "The richness of Pogrebin's stories, the complexity and beauty of her storytelling, and her devastatingly honest soul-baring make Shanda a powerfully stunning piece of life and art." --Mayim Bialik, actor, author, neuroscientist, and co-host of Jeopardy The word "shanda" is defined as shame or disgrace in Yiddish. This book, Shanda, tells the story of three generations of complicated, intense 20th-century Jews for whom the desire to fit in and the fear of public humiliation either drove their aspirations or crushed their spirit. In her deeply engaging, astoni