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Lost in America Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Lost in America


Like so many other immigrants, Meyer Nudelman came to America (from Russia) at the turn of the twentieth century, in search of a better life -- if not for him, then for his eventual children. By the time his youngest son Sherwin came along, he was hobbled and unsteady on his feet, and beset by angry women (wife, wife's mother, wife's sister) who have some unknown grudge against him. His one ally, Sherwin, is acutely embarrassed by his father's weakness and dependence on him. The author, a clinical professor of surgery at Yale and author of the bestselling _How We Die_, recalls a life of harrowing poverty, unhappiness, and mysterious secrets that only became clear to him many years later. (He also reveals his treatment for depression with electroshock therapy.) Nuland's memoir shows the cruelty of children to their parents, the struggle of immigrant life, and the tiny victories on the way to success in a strange and unfriendly land.
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The review of this Book prepared by David Loftus



Chapter Analysis of Lost in America

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Plot & Themes

Ethnic/Relig. of subject (inside)    -   Russian Gender/Class story?    -   immigrant story Job/profession/poverty story    -   Yes Kind of living:    -   general poverty story Family, ill    -   Yes Who?    -   Father because he/she is    -   physically ill If this is a culture clash:    -   family young v. old guard Ethnic/regional/gender    -   Yes

Subject of Biography

Gender    -   Male Ethnicity    -   Jew Nationality    -   Russian

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Northeast City?    -   Yes City:    -   New York    -   dirty, grimy (like New York) Century:    -   1930's-1950's

Writing Style

Book makes you feel?    -   depressed Graphic sex in book?    -   Yes Pictures/Illustrations?    -   None How much dialogue in bio?    -   significantly more descript than dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life?    -   0-25% of book

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Sherwin Nuland Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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