A timely reissue of Emma Wolfs 1892 novel which boldly interrogates theimplications of JewishChristian marriage and examines the role of the newwoman within the... » 

A timely reissue of Emma Wolfs 1892 novel which boldly interrogates theimplications of JewishChristian marriage and examines the role of the newwoman within the traditions of the Jewish home.Widely regarded as a literary genius in her day the Jewish American authorEmma Wolf 1865 1932 wrote vivid stories that penetrated the struggles ofwomen and people of faith particularly Jews at the turn of the twentiethcentury. Although polio confined Wolf to her home during most of her adultlife she drew on her sisters everyday experiences as working women mothershomemakers and lovers to create stories filled with immediacy and insightduring a time of rapid social change. This reissue of the 1916 revised editionof one of her most popular novels Other Things Being Equal first published in1892 introduces Wolf to a new generation of readers immersing them in aninterfaith love story set in her native San Francisco in the late nineteenthcentury.The novels protagonist Ruth Levice a young intellectual from an upperclassJewish family meets Dr. Herbert Kemp a Unitarian and falls in love. Raisedto act on her own judgment Ruth nonetheless respects the wisdom of her elders but her fathers inability to sanction her relationship with Kemp becomes achallenge for Ruth on many levels.The novels force lies in its unwillingness to adhere to ideological stands. Awoman need not give up marriage and home to be strong independent andunconventional a Jew does not have to be orthodox to remain close to herheritage and her faith. Wolfs novel also brings a nuanced perspective to majorwomens issues of the day such as the rest cure a health measurecondemnedby feminists at the time as a patriarchic attempt to control women.Intermarriage assimilation demands of modernity of family life these areall topics that come under scrutiny in Wolfs novel and that have broadresonance for readers today. Readers will also enjo «