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50th out of 96 books
—
22 voters
Turbulent Souls: A Catholic Son's Return To His Jewish Family
by
Stephen J. Dubner (Goodreads Author)
"Turbulent Souls" is a luminous memoir, crafted with the eye of a journalist and the art of a novelist by "New York Times Magazine" writer and editor Stephen J. Dubner. By turns comic and heartbreaking, it tells the story of a family torn apart by religion, sustained by faith, and reunited by truth.
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
October 1st 1999
by Harper Perennial
(first published 1998)
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I’ve become a big Freakonomics fan in recent weeks. Not only have I read both books, I’ve watched the DVD, and listened to every podcast on Freakonomics Radio. So when I found out that Stephen Dubner, the journalist half of the Freakonomics team, wrote about a book about his journey to Judaism, you know I was all over it. I read it on Shabbos, which is something I wouldn’t do with Freakonomics because it’s purely secular studies. Turbulent Souls, in contrast, is a spiritual memoir, although – al...more
I don't think I would have even picked this book up had it not been selected by my book club. I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. I enjoyed reading about the author's family. Both of his parents converted to Catholicism in their early 20s. The author's father passed away when he was ten. He was the youngest of eight children. So some of the book was about the author's research on his father and his father's family.
I thought the book got bogged down a bit when it came to Mr. Dub...more
I thought the book got bogged down a bit when it came to Mr. Dub...more
Freakanomics coauthor Stephen Dubner’s parents were NYC Jews who during WWII fell in love with Catholicism, then each other. Their rejection of their superstitious Jewish parents is understandable, but they go full throttle—becoming super-Catholics—first Dorothy Dayniks, then anti-abortion activists. Eight children and a hardscrabble life on an upstate NY farm later, the father wrestles with depression and no career prospects. Dubner, the youngest sibling, grows up just as his parents are experi...more
Oct 29, 2011
Jakki
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Catholics of Jewish background and anyone wanting to understand why Catholics/Jews have been at war
Shelves:
true-stories
A wonderful memoir by the youngest child of large Catholic family, Stephen, and his exploration into his parent's Jewish ancestry, later conversion to the Catholic church and then the author's own journey /claiming of hie Jewish ancestry.
A story filled with many family secrets, the author had no idea of the many, many Jewish relatives he had who loved him and had always wondered about him. I can't imagine the shock, pain and anger he must have felt when he realized an entire half of his family h...more
A story filled with many family secrets, the author had no idea of the many, many Jewish relatives he had who loved him and had always wondered about him. I can't imagine the shock, pain and anger he must have felt when he realized an entire half of his family h...more
Interesting fact: Stephen Dubner's mom is first cousin to Ethel Rosenberg (nee Greenglass). So far, this book is interesting although I think it lacks the personal narrative tone for some reason. Maybe Stephen Dubner should stick to Freakonomics type issues.
Skip ahead a couple of hours... I figured it out. There's a subtle tone of mockery by the author towards his parents' Catholic conversion from Judaism. It comes across as unkind and unempathetic which I wasn't expecting considering the subjec...more
Skip ahead a couple of hours... I figured it out. There's a subtle tone of mockery by the author towards his parents' Catholic conversion from Judaism. It comes across as unkind and unempathetic which I wasn't expecting considering the subjec...more
Fascinating story. The author is very reflective, self-aware, and sensitive. I am amazed at how sympathetically he is able to describe his mother's childhood and early adulthood, since at the end of the book we realize that his experience of her is quite different than the young woman he portrays. Religious conversion is an interesting topic, and he is able to explain both his mother's pull towards Catholicism and his pull towards Judaism well.
Stephen Dubner was raised by strict Catholic parents. He knew they had converted from Judaism, but only as an adult did he begin to explore what that meant.
In this memoir, Dubner chronicles his childhood, his longing to understand the father who died when he was ten, the painful unraveling of his parents' past and his own eventual conversion story.
Dubner's family has an unusual religious history, but the tensions that exist between parents and children are universal. The writing is good, if a bi...more
In this memoir, Dubner chronicles his childhood, his longing to understand the father who died when he was ten, the painful unraveling of his parents' past and his own eventual conversion story.
Dubner's family has an unusual religious history, but the tensions that exist between parents and children are universal. The writing is good, if a bi...more
A fascinating story of two Jews who both converted to Catholicism in the 1940s and raised a big family. The father ate gefilte fish with matzot after mass on Sunday for Years. Dubner, a noted journalist, writes the story of his family. I was teaching at a Jesuit college at the time I read this book in the 1990s and found a man who taught at the same school with a similar background.
An interesting memoir. Part faith exploration, part coming of age in an ultra religious Catholic family. Enjoyed the coming of age portion tremendously. The tales of the family and their ultra-Catholicism brought a smile to my face as I compared it with my own (not nearly so devout) Catholic up-bringing.
The final portion of the book-the writer's struggle with his faith and his concurrent struggle with his relationship with his mother-left me with mixed emotions. I wanted him to get off his moth...more
The final portion of the book-the writer's struggle with his faith and his concurrent struggle with his relationship with his mother-left me with mixed emotions. I wanted him to get off his moth...more
I read this years ago and it was a fascinating memoir about a young man who learns that his parents were raised as Jews and then converted to Catholicism. Fun fact--this is the same Stephen Dubner who does the Freakanomics radio show.
I don't remember when I read it but my grandmother gave me the rec and she died in 2004.
I don't remember when I read it but my grandmother gave me the rec and she died in 2004.
It was interesting to read about a family scenario I hadn't encountered before, and I was really impressed with the way Dubner tried to avoid alienating his mother with his decision to return to Judaism, and to be sure that he wasn't doing it for the wrong reasons.
Truly one of the most remarkable books I have ever read. Dubner's account of the discovery that he made about his mother's Jewish roots is riveting. If you have any interest in family history, you won't put this book down.
Stephen J. Dubner writes a very compelling history of his religious transition as well as that of his parents. I enjoyed his exploration of his own feelings and his honest introspection. A very pleasant and poignant read.
This is a solid memoir about a family and their religious persuasions. Parts of the beginning got a little confusing as many characters change names or have multiple nicknames. But, overall, it was quite intriguing.
Very interesting story. I greatly enjoyed reading about the author's journey. His experience gave him a very unique perspective, and I found myself intensely flipping through the pages in order to hear what he had to say. I felt that he was very honest with this book. He spoke his mind and shared with us the intimate parts of his life, while at the same time remaining sensitive to anyone's personal feelings and beliefs. I disagreed with his overall point...but I gained a lot from this book. His...more
Interesting true story of two Jews who found Jesus and each other, leaving their extended Jewish families behind, and their son's search for his roots. Moral of the story -- family is important.
I've read this book a few times and found something new each time. I'm fascinated by the story of two (really three) people who go such different ways in their religious lives.
A truly interesting story about a man (co-author of freakonomics) whose parents each converted from judaism to become devout catholics, and his journey back to judaism.
Well-written and interesting. Made me want to read more by Dubner. Wish he had included more details about his family life towards the end. Recommended
A fascinating journey, well-told by Dubner, of Freakanomics fame. The subtitle nicely capsulizes this voyage of faith both lost and regained.
a very sweet story about a couple raised Jewish in NYC, converting to Catholicism, and their children's conversion back
I really enjoyed this book and found it fascinating to discover what makes people abandon the religion they were brought up with.
Sep 14, 2009
Albie
added it
Turbulent Souls: : A Catholic Son's Return To His Jewish Family by Stephen J. Dubner (1999)
author of Freakonomics - his families' personal story of immigration and survival
Great book. I reread this book around 2006 and still enjoyed the 2nd time
Excellent account of Dubner's exploration of his family history!
This book started out strong and interesting...mostly because it was about the Narrators parents. As it got more into the life of the Narrator himself, I found that I just didn't relate. I found him to be hypocritical and somewhat selfish and self-righteous. I couldn't connect with him and I couldn't empathize with his plight. I just wanted to get through the end. Religion is something personal and I can't stand when people push their choices and thoughts on others. Do what makes you happy - but...more
Very interesting story from the point of view of either religion.
Dec 05, 2008
Patience
added it
Read this a number of years ago -- really enjoyed it
Fascinating premise, very well researched. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to a really good book club discussion on it.
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| the movie? | 1 | 3 | Jul 19, 2011 09:48am |
Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning author, journalist, and TV and radio personality. In addition to Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics, his books include Turbulent Souls Choosing My Religion, Confessions of a Hero-Worshiper, and the children’s book The Boy With Two Belly Buttons. His journalism has been published in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Time, and has been anthologized in The...more
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