Leak in the Heart: Tales from a Woman's Life

by Faye Moskowitz

These are twenty-four autobiographical story-essays, witty, vulnerable, and wise, about growing up part of a puzzled and unassimilated Orthodox Jewish family in a Michigan small-town in the 1930s and ’40s and about the wider world of marriage, children, teaching and writing after that rich beginning.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Essays, Judaica

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Born in 1930, Moskowitz spent her early years in Detroit and Jackson, Michigan. She married just out of high school when she was 18 and had her first child at 19. In Michigan, she worked for the Democratic Party, becoming county vice-chairman, until her husband’s job took the family to Washington. There she enrolled at GW. She credits a senior-year creative writing class—her first—with inspiring her to write.

She went on to earn a Master’s degree and later a doctorate from GW. She taught middle school for 12 years before returning to GW to teach and direct the creative writing program. Ten years later she became department chair.

She teaches creative writing and Jewish American literature.

(from http://jwa.org/blog/meet-faye-moskowi...)

Reviews

[Carolyn Parker]

Having just finished a VERY long book, I chose something small. What a good choice! Heart-warming and insightful, A Leak in the Heart is a collection of essays about the author's life in small town Michigan. She deals with multi-generational living, being Jewish in an area where it wasn't common and how her feelings developed about these and other issues over the years. Recommend!

[Xenia]

This book was an odd but wonderful surprise for me. It was not one that I picked as it was for our library book of the month event.But i'm so glad that I have read it. In the first 2 pages, I was not sure I was going to like it, but the author grabbed my heart and held on. It is more like a collection of essays than a full novel. Each chapter is a little bit different but with a theme close to the hearts of women, mothers, sisters & immigrants. You do not have to be jewish to understand the culture of this book. A fast lovely read.

[Martha]

A very touching memoir of a Jewess who grew up in the 40's and reared her own family of four while seeking her PhD in literature. Faye recounts her upbringing in a multi-generational home in Michigan and honors her students with their influences as well. Funny, poignant and connecting.
She recognizes the responsibilities and commitments of her choices in life and finds solace in the experiences. This book brings comfort and reassurances. It's a great read.

[Eleni]

A broad scope of short personal essays/vignettes from the author's childhood, her years as a young wife and mother, her teaching career and academic life, her extended family... all very well written!

[Julia]

This lept out at me this afternoon in a used bookstore because Faye was my creative writing professor in college. She was generous and insightful there as she is in this book. I only wish I had thought to read it then to know her more. May her memory be a blessing.

[Ann]

This is a sweet book that brought back lots of memories. It is my story, the story of Jewish immigrants and the generational conflicts that arise as the children become American but still live with the old values and superstitions. I recommend it as a light fun read.

[Johanna]

Surprisingly engaging, insightful, and unique. As compared to what I’ve come to expect from books of autobiographical essays.

[Debby]

I am glad I found this book , it took me back to a period of the 30's and 40's ,the part of having to live with extended family was so vividly put .I would have loved to read more .

[Godine Publisher & Black Sparrow Press]

"Feeling alternately like Mother Goose and the wicked witch, Moskowitz hangs on to her vision just long enough to give us a lesson in the sweetness, and pain of this life."
— San Francisco Chronicle

"This small gem of a memoir is so deftly faceted that, though it is made up of separate vignettes, one soon perceives a pattern."
— Washington Post Book World

"[A:] lyrical drama of Americanization."
— Los Angeles Times

"[A:] rare book...that I want to go out immediately and purchase for my family and friends...an achingly painful and funny collection of essays about growing up female and Jewish."
— Houston Chronicle

"[A] lovely book, beautifully written, the kind that makes you want to grab your friends, say Hey, listen to this, and start reading aloud."
— Russell Baker

[Betty]

I bought this over 20 years ago and misfiled it in fiction, finally picking it up because of the title (and the modest size as I needed something to carry with me). To my delight, it was a collection of personal essays by a woman with a voice that carried me across time. Whether telling us of being ashamed of her old world grandmother, or a glorious Michigan summer as a kid, or her frustration with her mother-in-law, she lets us into her life evocatively. I loved everyone word.

[Marsha Blitzer]

My professor, Faye Moskowitz’ autobiographical collections of stories, for one, A Leak in the Heart. I enjoyed, in particular, the author’s retrospective on growing up Jewish in the Midwest and the growing pains of a future feminist in middle class mid- twentieth century America. Heartwarming.

[Jessica]

An enjoyable compilation of short stories about life- the good, the bad, and the funny. I enjoyed it, although it was a much different type of book than I would usually pick up to read.

[Anita]

For all of you who are my age and cultural peers, you will be transported back in time if you read this book. I have a copy and am willing to share. ONE OF MY FAVES!!