The Matriarch: a Lost Classic
In Association with Society of Authors, the writers Linda Grant, Julia Neuberger & biographer & Chair Anne Sebba, discussed GB Stern's forgotten bestseller The Matriarch, originally published in 1924. Perhaps not her best structured novel, The Matriarch explores the scandalous life of a West London Jewish family. The author who was an influential writer after the First World War has largely been forgotten, emphasizing the transience of literary fame. The Virago edition with an introduction by Julia Neuberger was praised for including a family genealogy which helps untangle complicated family relationships. In a lively and interesting session all three speakers managed to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the novel.
In an uninspiring Jewish Book Week dominated by traditional and conservative choices of material this session stood out as being of interest to women and feminists. By chance I found myself seated next to History Professors Judith Bennett & Cynthia Herrup from Portland,Oregon, USA who admitted that this was the only session this year that they were attending although in previous years they had attended more. I normally attend every day, but likewise this year, I struggled to find sessions to book. My friend who also attended The Matriach, Leonie Abrahamson an Early Years Expert & writer of a forthcoming textbook The Early Years Teacher's Book; Achieving Early Years Teacher Status, has similarly struggled to find sessions to attend.
Given that women make up such a large number of people in publishing and writing it is a shame that topics of relevance and interest to professional women are not so evident at Jewish Book Week 2015 as in earlier years. The absence of films is also noted. Very disappointing. JBW needs to do better.
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