Both were writers, both were doctors – she in psychiatry, he in chemistry. But does the name Janet Opal ring a bell if it isn’t attached to the famous surname she received from her husband? Janet Opal Asimov was her husband Isaac’s right hand throughout their years of marriage. She shared credit with him for quite a few books, short stories, and essays she wrote, and edited many of his writings. But even though her work was often overshadowed, she was a fascinating woman who deserves to be remembered in her own right.
Who Was the Soldier Who Pleaded for His Life in David Grossman’s Classic Book?
A signed copy of David Grossman’s book, “To the End of the Land”, reveals the link between the author’s pain over the death of his son and a tragic event that happened fifty years ago. This is the story of how Grossman made use of rare recordings from the Yom Kippur War in an attempt to ease the burden of a harsh reality
Where the Wild Jews Are: Maurice Sendak’s Real Life Monsters
For the monsters in the book “Where the Wild Things Are”, Maurice Sendak had in mind people he actually knew. The dark themes of his children’s books, which have been the subject of repeated criticism, reflected the world he inhabited
What Made This Top Russian Jewish Author Descend into Madness?
Lev Levanda spent decades advocating for Jewish assimilation into Russian culture. It all changed after pogroms shook the empire…
In the Shadow of War: When Stan Lee and Dr. Seuss Battled Fascism
After serving together in the US Army’s Training Film Division during World War II, the two parted ways: Stan Lee went on to create immortal superheroes, and Dr. Seuss used his talents to try to atone for his anti-Japanese propaganda through a new and compassionate children’s book
Cultivating a Jewish Literary Legacy
Author Lisa Leff, winner of the 2016 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature, offers her thoughts on the significant role played by Jewish research libraries, which she believes serve as “a kind of portal to the past”
How I Found the Lost Ending to a Legendary Author’s Story
Modern technology helped reveal the conclusion to “Falik and His House”, written by renowned Yiddish author Jacob Dinezon nearly 120 years ago
The Story of Daniel Hagège: Judeo-Arabic Author and Documenter of Tunisian Jewry
Hagège estimated that some 150 Tunisian authors wrote in Judeo-Arabic. This article is in memory of 100 years of Judeo-Arabic literature.
Kafka’s Scathing 47-Page Letter to His Father
“I cannot believe I was particularly difficult to manage; I cannot believe that a kindly word, a quiet taking by the hand, a friendly look, could not have got me to do anything that was wanted of me”
Kafka’s “Blue Notebook” Revealed
Why did the famous writer decide to study Hebrew? And what did he document in the Hebrew notebook he kept?
