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A review by studeronomy
Tradition by Daniel Khalastchi
3.0
I read "Tradition" using a Russian tarot card as a bookmark. I don't know if that makes any difference.
As most of the other reviews here have noted, the highlight of Daniel Khalastchi's poems—most (all?) of which deal with Jewish identity—is the book's centerpiece, "Poem for My Father." This extended poem that tells the story of his father's escape from anti-Semitism in Iraq in the 1970s and of his father's search for identity, hope, and a home in exile. It's a stunning poem.
I also loved the silly character of the Conversion Rabbi, who appears in various poems throughout the volume and offers strange, surreal, and sometimes crude advice for a proselyte who is converting to Judaism to pursue a romantic relationship. Apart from "Poem for My Father," the Conversion Rabbi poems were my favorite in the book.
As most of the other reviews here have noted, the highlight of Daniel Khalastchi's poems—most (all?) of which deal with Jewish identity—is the book's centerpiece, "Poem for My Father." This extended poem that tells the story of his father's escape from anti-Semitism in Iraq in the 1970s and of his father's search for identity, hope, and a home in exile. It's a stunning poem.
I also loved the silly character of the Conversion Rabbi, who appears in various poems throughout the volume and offers strange, surreal, and sometimes crude advice for a proselyte who is converting to Judaism to pursue a romantic relationship. Apart from "Poem for My Father," the Conversion Rabbi poems were my favorite in the book.