Shanda

A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy

By: Letty Cottin Pogrebin

Narrated by: Dina Pearlman

Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

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 word "shanda" is defined as shame or disgrace in Yiddish. This book, Shanda, tells the story of three generations of complicated, intense twentieth-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, astonishingly candid memoir, author and activist Letty Cottin Pogrebin exposes the fiercely-guarded lies and intricate cover-ups woven by dozens of members of her extended family. Beginning with her own long-suppressed secret, the story spirals through the hidden lives of her parents and relatives—revealing the truth about their origins, personal traumas, marital misery, abandoned children, religious transgressions, sexual identity, radical politics, and supposedly embarrassing illnesses. While unmasking their charades and disguises, Pogrebin also showcases her family's remarkable talent for reinvention in a narrative that is, by turns, touching, searing, and surprisingly universal.

©2022 Letty Cottin Pogrebin (P)2022 Tantor

Illumination

Her insights profound and inspiring. Her candor even more so — refreshing letting the stale air out of long held secrets which in their own way can erode a soul.

Thoughtful exploration of the Jewish immigrant experience

Thoughtful exploration of the Jewish immigrant experience and its impact on future generations. Sometimes sad, sometimes triumphant, a bittersweet story about family secrets and love and the impact these have on a community over time. Thank you.

Great discussion material!

This is very thought provoking material, it would be excellent book club material! Recommend this great read!

Performance

It’s a shame that the narrator didn’t demonstrate the vocal quality that Letty complained about later in the book.

not as good as I’d hoped

I have. always liked her work. But this one was a disappointment. It dragged one and had no spark!

Beautifully Written!

Letty Pobrebin is a a talented interviewer and writer, Shanda reads like fiction where you keep turning the pages quickly to learn what happens next.
A worthwhile book to read and keep.

Excellent!

Five Stars in every category. Terrific book! I recommend this book to every thinking person.

Pogrebin for the win!

I really loved the story and all the little ways that Pogrebin’s sharing make you feel like an intimate being offered her personal secrets. She takes the sting out of all of our secrets. Suddenly they are normal and don’t require shame. I mostly liked the reader but found her to be very aggressive through the first quarter of the book. It was a tone and cadence that were not necessary and detracted from my enjoyment. Overall, I’m rating this wonderful book!!

Oy vey!

Narrator was overly dramatic, especially in the beginning. She also mispronounced several words.
Author sounds a bit full of herself. Learned some about Jewish culture and vocabulary.

To many political falsehoods

Obsessed with TDS which detracts from interesting Jewish and entertaining themes that most Jews can relate to.