Foreskin's Lament

A Memoir

By: Shalom Auslander

Narrated by: Shalom Auslander

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

Shalom Auslander was raised with a terrified respect for God. Even as he grew up and was estranged from his community, his religion, and its traditions, he could not find his way to a life where he didn't struggle against God daily.

Foreskin's Lament reveals Auslander's youth in a strict, socially isolated Orthodox community, and recounts his rebellion and efforts to make a new life apart from it. Auslander remembers his youthful attempt to win the "blessing bee" (the Orthodox version of a spelling bee), his exile to an Orthodox-style reform school in Israel after he's caught shoplifting Union Bay jeans from the mall, and his 14-mile hike to watch the New York Rangers play in Madison Square Garden without violating the Sabbath. Throughout, Auslander struggles to understand God and His complicated, often contradictory laws. He tries to negotiate with God and His representatives: a day of sin-free living for a day of indulgence, a blessing for each profanity. But ultimately, Auslander settles for a peaceful cease-fire, a standoff with God, and accepts the very slim remaining hope that his newborn son might live free of guilt, doubt, and struggle.

Auslander's combination of unrelenting humor and anger renders a rich and fascinating portrait of a man grappling with his faith, family, and community.

©2007 Shalom Auslander (P)2007 Peguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Critic reviews

“Fierce, funny, and subversively heartfelt...With his middle finger pointed at the heavens and a hand held over his heart, Auslander gives us Foreskin’s Lament. Mazel tov to him. And God? Well, he’ll survive.” (New York Times Book Review)

“A laugh-out-loud quarrel with God.” (Newsweek)

“A terrific book I was sad I read in so few sittings, because I wanted more.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

Fantastic book, fantastically read

Profound and funny at the same time, this book is a joy to listen to. It’s a reckoning with his parents and his faith in which he in no way spares himself. Highly recommended listening.

Foreskin's Lament

This was a hilarious book and I loved the author's senser of humor. However, it confirmed for me, once again, that fundamentalist religion of any sort is, at best, very damaging to the individual and, at worst, very dangerous.

Great Book

Good for anyone who feels alone in their fears! A reminder that life goes on regardless of who’s watching!

Engaging, Entertaining and Told with Deadpan Humor

Would you listen to Foreskin's Lament again? Why?

Yes. The first-person account of a misfit growing up in a very controlling subculture (Brooklyn's Jewish Orthodox Community--well known for keeping to themselves) puts an already engrossing coming of age story in a fascinating & insightful setting I knew almost nothing about.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Foreskin's Lament?

When the teenage protagonist finds himself what he considers the "perfect" part-time job: sitting in the funeral home at the door to the morgue during off-hours to fulfill a custom of always attending to the newly deceased, in case a soul emerges "confused." He gets to read whatever he likes undisturbed, while ironically, for once earning praise & respect from his family and community for apparent self-less dedication to tradition. Another comes to mind where, traveling alone in Israel, he pushes a profane note to God deep into/under the wailing wall, as others do with their notes of prayer. Within moments come sudden alarming misgivings,and he begins a desperate attempt to dig it back out -- an action that mobilizes Israeli security.

Have you listened to any of Shalom Auslander’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I listen to much nonfiction and many biographies, and this story of the conflicts and ambiguities for a boy growing up, and for whom nothing ever goes right, and in which he never quite fits the mold, was as compelling as any novel. As he gets older, he spends half the time transgressing what he knows he shouldn't and the other half beating himself up about it. This being a true story, I had no idea what would happen next and it made for a real "page-turner."

Any additional comments?

A kind of deadpan tone prevails in what objectively speaking would hardly be a "feel-good romp"--at least without time and distance. But despite the authors obsessions and musings, there's no wallowing in sadness or set-ups for a big laugh, as in many memoirs. Like a movie without a soundtrack or laughtrack to tell you what to feel or the relative gravity of each situation, you're left with a vivid, well-told account that makes you automatically fill in those emotions, spot the absurdities, and so on, making it all the more engaging and vivid, in my opinion.

I couldn't stop laughing!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great listen. Auslander did a terrific job in the read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Shalom tells his own story with a lot of tongue in cheek humor.

Have you listened to any of Shalom Auslander’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Good one, God

Brutally honest. Sharp wit. Twisted. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot about life as an Orthodox Jew.

a real surprise

For the uninitiated, this is a good introduction to the perils of growing up in an orthodox Jewish household. I have to admit I didn't find his adult life as interesting as his childhood, possibly because the subject has been well covered by the likes of woody Allen and others, but still it was an interesting, funny book.

Funny and heartbreaking

What did you like best about Foreskin's Lament? What did you like least?

I'm familiar with Shalom Auslander's work from This American Life. In this book he uses his dry, dark humor to describe his upbringing which was a twisted mess of abuse and punitive, legalistic religion. He switches between memories of this childhood and his adult struggles to free himself of his family and their baggage of religious guilt and obligation. Although the first half of the book was hard to put down - the chapter on the Blessing Bee is pure gold - the second half was repetitive, meandering and relentlessly bitter. I learned way more about the author's sex addiction than I wanted to know.
Personally I enjoy Shalom's dry, deadpan narration, although I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Entertaining and brilliant

Love listening to this! Much of what is described is my experience as well! Brilliant!

Cute

When I first started listening I thought this book was strange. I agree that you would get more out of it if you had some knowledge of Jewish customs, however I'm not sure that's necessary. Burried in the humor is a story about a boy growing up to be a man who has a very complicated relationship with God. His orthodox religious upbringing has caused him to believe that every time he does something "not allowed", God will get him and/or his family. I found the book to be humourous on the surface but quite sad when you really think about it.
Personally I feel the narrator Shalom Auslander, who is also the author, has a very monotone, morose, monotonous voice. I think this is one of the few books I would have enjoyed more in print because of the narration.