What I Saw at the Fair

By Ann Birstein

"What amazes about this book is not only the wonderful writing and passionate honesty, but the fact that it is so much fun to read." -Erica Jong "Fans of Birstein's work will not be disappointed by this memoir, which expands on much of the colorful narrative found in her superb biography of her father. The Rabbi on Forty-seventh Street, and delves deeper into her Hell's Kitchen Childhood, college life.the heady world of New York intellectuals.her turbulent marriage to (Alfred) Kazin." -Publishers Weekly "Birstein is a graceful writer, and she's also very funny." -Jewish Week

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595392822
• ISBN13: 9780595392827
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Birstein Bursting on the Scene Once Again

Ann Birstein's most recent autobiographical volume reveals her once again as the graceful story-teller she has always been throughout her many works. Youngest child of Rabbi Bernard Birstein of the "Actor's Temple," she knows how to tell the truth, letting no one (including herself) off the hook. Her wit is apparent from page one, even as she speaks of her marriage to Alfred Kazin and his abusiveness towards her. Her consciousness of herself as a writer, a woman, and Jew is never tinged with self-righteousness or pity.Birstein dedicates "What I Saw at the Fair" to Bel Kaufman and her grandfather, Sholem Aleichem. Both she and her book are in just the right company.