Adam Unrehearsed
Adam Unrehearsed by Don Futterman, published by Wicked Son on November 14, 2023, is a 320-page work that explores the challenges faced by twelve-year-old Adam Miller. After a mugging on the subway, Adam navigates the complexities of junior high, where he grapples with gang conflicts, family issues, and the pressures of his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. Set against the backdrop of 1970s New York, the narrative delves into themes of friendship and self-discovery as Adam learns to find his voice amidst chaos.
Readers will find a rich coming-of-age story that intertwines humor and poignancy as Adam confronts various obstacles, including the unexpected actions of his older brother and the vandalism of his synagogue. The power of theater emerges as a central element, providing Adam with a means to connect with others and assert his identity. Through his experiences, the book addresses topics such as Jewish identity and the trials of adolescence, making it a significant addition to contemporary fiction.
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National Jewish Book Awards Finalist
In the vein of The Chosen, Catcher in the Rye, and The Kite Runner comes Adam Unrehearsed, a “hilarious, deeply moving, coming-of-age comedy” (Yossi Klein Halevi).
From the moment he’s mugged on the subway home from Bat Day at Yankee Stadium, things go wrong for twelve-year-old Adam Miller. He is in the Special Program for brainy kids, but his new junior high is out of control. When he gets on the wrong side of several gangs and needs his friends most, they abandon him. As if that’s not enough, Adam discovers that his older brother has become a Zionist militant, his synagogue is repeatedly vandalized, and despite Adam’s “skinny voice,” his crazy new Cantor has grandiose plans for his Bar Mitzvah. Meanwhile, Adam dreams of his summer camp girlfriend in far off New Rochelle, but he’s too shy to pick up the phone. He even fails at shoplifting.
Bewildered and alone, Adam finds his only solace onstage, where he discovers the power of theater to bridge social divides. As he learns to stand out and stand up for himself, friends appear in the most unexpected places and Adam Miller discovers his own voice.
Adam Unrehearsed is a story of friendship, betrayal, life, death, and acting.
Adam Unrehearsed is “comical…lyrical… menacing… gritty… tender… compassionate and propulsive” (Colum McCann), it’s “funny, wise, heartbreaking and heart-healing…” (Pamela Schoenewaldt, Historical Novel Society). Set in New York in 1970, just as American Jewry is coming of age, this coming-of-age story is the next generation of great American Jewish fiction.
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