Category Archives: Modern Literary Fiction
Liars: A Novel – Sarah Manguso
(Reviewed by JD Jung) When Jane met her future husband, John Bridges, she was ecstatic. Since she was a writer, she was attracted to him being an artist and photographer. What she didn’t realize was that the demands of … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged marriage, relationships
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Wait: A Novel – Gabriella Burnham
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “They threw me out of the country like I was a nothing.” Wait delves into the intricate layers of family, identity, and the harsh realities faced by undocumented immigrants in the United States. Through … Continue reading
Posted in Immigration, Modern Literary Fiction, World Issues
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The Deceived Ones – Judith Krummeck
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Luck always seems to be against the man who depends on it.”- Ukrainian proverb Vira Blyzinska fled to Poland from her home in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion. She brought little with her … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged culture, family, immigration, Romance, Ukraine
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Goldenseal – Maria Hummel
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Lacey and Edith, ages seventy and seventy-one respectively, have been estranged for forty-four years. It’s now 1990, and Edith decides to travel across the country to visit her one-time best friend. Lacey, born in Prague, … Continue reading
Posted in Historical Fiction, Modern Literary Fiction, Our Best
Tagged friendship, Los Angeles, relationships, socio-economic class, WWII
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I Only Cry with Emoticons – Yuvi Zalkow
(reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “I feel like maybe he has an answer for me, because I don’t know how to act or what to do or who to be and I hate my job and I’m scared to lose … Continue reading
Posted in Humor & Satire, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged anti-antisemitism, Big Tech, divorce, family, humor, relationships
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All-Night Pharmacy-Ruth Madievsky
(reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “You have no idea what it’s like being your sister. I’ve never had a day of rest in my life. Chasing after you like a dog. Leaving pieces of myself behind. And every time, you … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged drug abuse, drug addiction, family, family dysfunction, Judaism, refugees, Soviet Union
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Maximum Taxi – Douglas Bales
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “As I come out of the tunnels on my way home, the city lies below me with its lights sparkling. I think about Misty and Mickey and all of the screwed-up people running around the … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged dark humor, drugs, society
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The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants – Orlando Ortega-Medina
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “We were a family of emigrants, on the move from generation to generation. Forced to flee our homes because of intolerable situations imposed on us by those in power. The United States was meant to be … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Modern Literary Fiction, Our Best
Tagged addiction, family, immigration, Judaism, LGBTQ, Religion, San Francisco, thrillers
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Central Places – Delia Cai
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned Twenty-seven-year-old Audrey Zhou is leading a life most of us would be envious of. Living in New York City as a sales rep for a newspaper, she has many friends and is engaged to a … Continue reading
Posted in Immigration, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged immigrants, relationships
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Many Are Invited – Dennis Cuesta
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned An untimely death at a housewarming party takes place just prior to the millennium, and Silicon Valley IT professional Steve Galanos is trying to make sense of it all. Later, he proceeds to recount events … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged Big Tech, friendship, jealousy, Silicon Valley
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