Synopses & Reviews
The Tiger's Wife meets
The History of Love in this inventive, lushly imagined debut novel that explores the intersections of family secrets, Jewish myths, the legacy of war and history, and the bonds between sisters
When Eli Burke dies, he leaves behind a mysterious notebook full of stories about a miracle worker named the White Rebbe and the enigmatic Angel of Losses, both protectors of things gone astray and guardians of the lost letter of the alphabet, which completes the secret name of God.
Years later, when Eli's granddaughter Marjorie stumbles upon his notebook, everything she thought she knew about her grandfather—and her family—comes undone. To learn the truth about Eli's origins and unlock the secrets he kept, Marjorie embarks on an odyssey that takes her deep into the past, from the medieval Holy Land to eighteenth-century Venice and Nazi-occupied Lithuania. What she finds leads her back to present-day New York City and her estranged sister, Holly, whom she must save from the consequences of Eli's past.
Interweaving history, theology, and both real and imagined Jewish folktales, The Angel of Losses is a family story of what lasts, and of what we can—and cannot—escape.
Review
“Stephanie Feldman is one of the smartest and most original young writers at work today...With a deft understanding of the irreducibility of human relationships, Feldman leads us through love and loss and back to love again. Watch out for her. She is here to stay.” < strong=""> & #151;Sheri Holman, author of < em=""> The Dress Lodger < m=""> < trong="">
Review
“Stephanie Feldman writes with tremendous warmth, tenderness and insight, and The Angel of Losses is a smart and beautiful novel that is all at once a literary thriller, a multigenerational family saga and a stunning exploration of Jewish mysticism. I loved this book.” < strong=""> & #151;Molly Antopol, National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Honoree and author of The UnAmericans: Stories < trong="">
Review
“Feldman mixes legend, mystery, and history to create an intricate story that bridges yesterday and today.” < strong=""> & #151;Historical Novels Review < strong="">
Review
“Feldmans debut novel is an unusual combination of literary thriller, family drama, and Jewish mysticism . . . Fans of Elizabeth Kostovas The Historian or the works of Lev Grossman will find something here in a similar vein, but with a little quieter pacing and a little more spirituality.” < strong=""> & #151;Library Journal < trong="">
Review
“This impressive debut from Feldman is a page-turner that celebrates sisterly love.” < strong=""> & #151;Publishers Weekly < trong="">
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“Family saga, mystery, and myth intersect in Feldmans debut novel...the vivid, imaginative unraveling makes the investigative approach to reading this tale worthwhile.” < strong=""> & #151;Booklist < trong="">
Review
“Figures from Jewish mysticism and mythology, a Russian grandfathers legacy and the fate of a newborn child entwine in [this] inventive debut. With its wheeling stars, magical rabbi, disgraced angels, black dogs and European hinterland, Feldmans novel . . .has the flavor of Chagalls visionary art.” < strong=""> & #151;Kirkus Reviews < trong="">
Review
“This book was amazing. The protagonist, a grad student in literature, uncovers a story scribbled down by her grandfather, and everything starts to unravel. Jewish folklore. Family secrets. Hidden identities. Hidden notebooks. Bitter estrangements. Its beautifully constructed and just plain beautiful. Mark your calendars now, people. Mark them now. ” < strong=""> & #151;Bookriot < trong="">
Review
“Lucid, tender and masterfully portrayed, The Angel of Losses is an intergenerational story of perseverance and love in a changing world. Rich with Jewish lore and history, there is magic at play here in more than one sense. A must-read.” < strong=""> & #151;G. Willow Wilson, author of Alif the Unseen < trong="">
Review
“This imaginative first novel leads you on a journey of fantastic tales, stormy family ties and a tragic discovery of redemption that will break your heart.” Washington Post
Review
“Feldmans prose is intelligent, engaging, and at times figurative... a versatile virtuosity impressive for a debut work.” New York Journal of Books
Review
“Feldman is an ambitious writer who conjures up instead a deeply moving modern-day fable that far transcends the boundaries of its location and time.” NPR, All Things Considered
Review
“The Angel of Losses is an ambitious work by a brilliant new author. BookPage
Review
“In her spellbinding debut novel, Stephanie Feldman tells an epic tale of mystery, discovery, and familial love…Feldmans debut novel is moving, mature, and deeply original.” Ploughshares
Review
“Stephanie Feldmans debut novel, The Angel of Losses, is haunting. Even more gripping than the real and imagined folktales that Feldman weaves into the book, however, is her exploration of sisterly rifts and bonds and family secrets shrouded by time.” Philadelphia Inquirer
Review
“Its beautifully constructed and just plain beautiful.” Book Riot
About the Author
Stephanie Feldman is a graduate of Barnard College. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and her daughter.