42 pages • 1 hour read •
Jews Without Money
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Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1910s
1930
Publicaffairs
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Jews Without Money by Michael Gold, set in the early 20th century Lower East Side of New York City, follows Mike, a boy growing up in a Jewish immigrant family struggling with poverty and hardship in a tenement. His experiences in this crime-ridden, impoverished neighborhood, surrounded by a supportive yet exploited community, shape his views and inspire his later socialist beliefs.
Gritty
Dark
Challenging
Emotional
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
1,092 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jews Without Money by Michael Gold is praised for its gripping portrayal of poverty and immigrant life in early 20th-century New York, with vivid characters and rich detail. However, some criticize its heavy-handed political commentary and melodramatic tone. Overall, the novel remains a significant, emotionally impactful depiction of its era.
Who Should Read Jews Without Money?
A reader who would enjoy Jews Without Money by Michael Gold is someone interested in early 20th-century immigrant life in America, social realism, and labor history. Fans of works like The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and Call It Sleep by Henry Roth will find Gold's depiction of poverty and resilience in New York's Jewish Lower East Side compelling.
1,092 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Herman Gold
Herman Gold
Mike’s father, an immigrant from Romania with dreams of wealth, whose aspirations are continually thwarted by the harsh realities of life in America. He embodies the challenges faced by those seeking success in a new country.
Katie Gold
Katie Gold
Mike’s mother, a pragmatic and strong-willed woman who focuses on the necessities of life and supports her family with determination and generosity. Her actions provide an example of practical resilience amidst difficulties.
Esther Gold
Esther Gold
Mike’s sister, who embodies innocence and optimism, finding solace in fairy tales and working tirelessly to support her family. Her presence underscores the contrasting ways family members cope with their circumstances.
Jews Without Money is a semi-autobiographical novel by Michael Gold, which vividly depicts the life and struggles of Jewish immigrants on the Lower East Side of New York City in the early 20th century.
The novel is considered one of the earliest examples of "proletarian literature" in the United States, highlighting the working-class struggles and social injustices faced by immigrant communities.
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Michael Gold, the author of Jews Without Money, was also a prominent figure in the Communist Party USA and used his literary work to advocate for socialist ideologies.
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336
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1910s
1930
Publicaffairs
Adult
18+ years
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