Led by Lauren John

Goodbye, Columbus is the story of Neil Klugman and pretty, spirited Brenda Patimkin, he of poor Newark, she of suburban Short Hills, who meet one summer break and dive into an affair that is as much about social class and suspicion as it is about love.

Love him or hate him, Roth’s work leads to interesting discussions. We are decades removed from the upwardly mobile Jewish American society of the 1950s who populate the prosperous suburb of Short Hills, New Jersey. Or are we? What has evolved and what remains? This novella was chosen in part because it will be faster to read during the busy holiday season. (There’s also a movie.)

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An evening virtual BAW Book Club session is also being offered on Monday, December 6 from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. (Please register for that session separately.)

*We enjoy a partnership with Kepler's Books, which will donate a portion of your purchase back to Beth Am each time you shop – as long as you enter Kepler's site through the Beth Am website. You may also generate a contribution to Beth Am when you shop at the Kepler's Books store in Menlo Park by mentioning us at the register.