American comic author whose dark, mocking humour and social criticism was directed at the concerns and behaviour of American Jews.
After graduating from the University of Missouri in 1951 with a B.A. in journalism and serving in the U.S. Air Force for two years, Friedman worked in publishing for several years before achieving success with his first novel, Stern (1962). The title character is a luckless descendent of the biblical Job, unable to assimilate into mainstream American life. Virtually all of Friedman's works are a variation on this theme; most of his characters are Jewish by birth, but they feel alienated from both Jewish and American culture. His works are also noted for focusing on absurd characters and situations. -Encyclopædia Britannica
i bought this at a bar / consignment store at a friend’s recommendation, cuz he’d heard of this playwright and how he sort of pioneered the concept of black comedy. and i thought the cover and title were real funny
well bits were funny, and i understand this is supposed to be a black comedy satire, but it was mostly kind of uncomfortable, and after understanding the caricature on the cover, i’m extremely not about it and it’s not funny anymore :/ oh well
A story about an interracial affair between a American woman and two French men, which is a little boring and banal...containing some descriptions of racial stereotypes.