Leaving Eastern Parkway A Novel
Leaving Eastern Parkway by Matthew Daub, published by Delphinium Books on September 12, 2023, is a novel that explores the life of Zev Altshul, a young man from Brooklyn’s Hasidic community of Lubavitchers. Following a family tragedy, Zev’s life is irrevocably altered as he grapples with his place within a closed community that he ultimately feels compelled to leave. His journey across the United States is marked by the sport of handball, which serves as both his refuge and a means of survival as he navigates the complexities of loyalty and guilt.
In this narrative, readers will find a rich exploration of themes such as family life, coming of age, and the psychological struggles that accompany Zev’s quest for identity. As he seeks out his long-lost sister, Zev confronts the challenges of life outside his familiar environment while still feeling the pull of his roots. The novel delves into the intricacies of sibling relationships and the impact of cultural obligations, all while presenting a vivid portrayal of Zev’s experiences in various settings, including Chicago and New Mexico. With 352 pages, this edition offers a detailed look at a young man’s search for belonging amid the tensions of his upbringing.
Official synopsis Publisher
Fans of Demon Copperhead will root for Zev Altshul on his cross-country journey across the United States.
Brooklyn’s Hasidic community of Lubavitchers is turned upside down when family tragedy strikes and everyday life changes forever in the life of Zev Altshul.
He is first placed into the care of the closed and close-knit community where he grew up, but soon realizes he can’t stay. His saving grace is handball; it’s his gift from God, and the one thing he can rely on as he is shuttled, chased, and abandoned by trusted elders, family, and friends. Even as Zev never fully escapes from the guilt of his choices, he sets course across the United States to discover where loyalty really lies and what it means.
He seeks out his long-lost sister, only to find himself as unprepared for life outside the Lubavitcher community as he was unwilling to remain. Forced out of his second home, Zev plays handball to support himself in the goyische world, but obligations he doesn’t fully understand still tie him to Crown Heights and follow him to Chicago and New Mexico threatening always to return Zev to life among the Lubavitchers.
Lyrical, vivid, and thoroughly engaging, this is certainly among the first novels of its kind.
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