A review by megmcardle
Foreskin's Lament by Shalom Auslander

4.0

Auslander grew up in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, in a dysfunctional family, and the two forces of faith and family drive him in adulthood. Drive him far away, very fast. In this memoir he tells of hilarious dilemma of hating religion but believing in the vengeful God of his childhood. His stories of his religious and family life growing up are poignant and funny. If he sometimes hits the same note a few too many time, you will be laughing too much to overly mind. In addition to the great coming-of-age material, we also learn of his adult struggles towards and away from the religion that shaped him, especially as he expects his first child. Although he ultimately rejects his faith, he can't ever quite believe that God won't punish him for that rejection. As Auslander put it: "I believe in God. It's been a problem for me."