The Shiksa Syndrome

by Laurie Graff

Book Overview

After she's dumped, Aimee Albert decides to seek companionship with a member of her own tribe. So when the very cute, Jewish, and gainfully employed Josh Hirsch catches Aimee's eye at a kosher wine... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767927613
• ISBN13: 9780767927611
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Broadway Books
• Length: 323 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

One of the Funniest...

This was possibly one of all the funniest books I've read in a long time! The statement amongst Jewish women when they find "a Nice Jewish boy," is usually: all the Jewish men are taken by "goy" or a shiksah" (two Yiddish words meaning Non-Jewish woman). A question in the book being posed is Why? This book was great for women of any denomination; however, there are only a few things only a Jewish woman could understand (but there is a glossary in the back of the book with all the definitions). One plot is that a Jewish girl is pretending to be a "Shiksa," to get the attention of a Jewish man who appears to be over Jewish women because they're considered to be J.A.P.'s (Jewish American Princesses'). The first time they met or more like she tried to meet him, she was dragged by her best friend who is a shiksa who believes that Jewish men are absolutely PERFECT (if only that were true, LOL!). The first time Aimee (the main character, the Jewish woman) tried to meet "Josh," a Jewish guy she was pining over, she looked "too" Jewish, he was looking at her best friend, Krista (the shiksa.) After a makeover that went wrong she looks like her best friend... the perfect Skiksa; her brown hair is now red and brown eyes covered by glasses became green contact lenses. When the girls go to another mixer "for Jewish singles," she runs into the same man as last time ("Josh,") however, he has no idea they've met before. Meanwhile, Krista has found herself surrounded by half the Jewish men in to room, and leaves with the phone number of real mensch (a good man). Then Aimmee pretends to be a shiksa and eventually plans on telling Josh... The rest MUST be read... This was a wonderful comedy for all denominations... Enjoy the laughs, I did, in one sitting!!

Loved it!

I really liked it! I completely accepted the delightful absurdity of the plot -- becoming a completely different person in order to get the man of your dreams and then having to come to grips with the FrankenWASP you've created. (The latter perhaps missing from today's "makeover" shows.) For me, this book is a new take on an old theme a la "Some Like It Hot," "My Fair Lady" or even "Cinderella." How desperate do you have to be to give up who you are for love? And what's the fallout? Is it an easy trick to turn your back on facets of the culture you once treasured? Are some women so insecure that they have to go to this extreme? Go, Ms. Graff! Hope you have a screenplay of this because it's ripe for film.

A perfect read!

It wasn't a fast read, but it wasn't a slow read....it was a perfect read! I found The Shiksa Syndrome to be a many layered book. While it made me laugh, cry, ponder, and appreciate, it also lassoed me with curiousity and involved me in Aimee's life. I kept thinking...isn't there someone I can fix her up with??? Many passages were thought provoking enabling me to stop and dig deeper into the words before me. Laurie Graff's books always afford me great enjoyment...and this one was no different. A highly recommend from me!

The Shoksa Syndrome

Laurie Graff's latest laugh-riot is The Shiksa Syndrome. Read it and howl. The ever clever Laurie regales us with another one of her gems, taking us into the world of the Jewish..uh... Shiksa, determined to find Mr. Right in the most unconventional ways. Lauries' writing is crisp and dripping with wit on every page. The Shiksa Syndrome is one hellava read. Take yourself on a mini-vacation and enjoy the ride. Judith Marks-White Author: Seducing Harry and Bachelor Degree

WOW! You don't have to be Jewish...!

I eagerly await each of Graff's books, and Shiksa Syndrome is the best yet! My only "complaint" is that it's completely addictive; I kept having to read "just one more chapter" instead of going to bed! Shiksa Syndrome chronicles the relationship trials of the main character, Aimee, with humor and charm. When a relationship with a non-Jewish man doesn't work out, Aimee finds the "perfect" Jewish guy - only to discover that SHE has to become a "shiksa" to "get" him! In this exploration of attractions, expectations and self-awareness, Graff's deep understanding of people once again comes through, making the characters in Shiksa Syndrome multidimensional, funny, and sympathetic. From the first words until the can't-put-it-down ending, we're drawn into the story of people that become as alive, with all their good points and flaws, as our real life friends! And, as the old ad went, "you don't have to be Jewish" to thoroughly enjoy this! Brava, Laurie - Can't wait for the next one! And the movie...;-)