The Barber In Modern Jewish Culture: A Genre of People, Places, and Things, With Illustrations

The figure of the barber has over the centuries been invested with symbolism. Humorous, tragic, dangerous, protective, barbers are objects of ultimate trust but also a possible threat. Who else could wield a razor so close to a man's throat with impunity? Rothman (English, University of Houston) illustrates the use of the personage of the barber in literature by and about Jews over the past three hundred years. Most of the entries are stories, or excerpts by authors such as Isaac Bashevis Singer and Yaqffa Eliach. There are also essays on the work of Woody Allen and Stephen Sondheim's musical version of Sweeney Todd. The work concludes with a photo gallery of barbers around the world. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)