The Escape Artist: A Novel - Hardcover

Katz, Judith

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1563410850 ISBN 13: 9781563410857

Publisher: Firebrand Books, 1997

Synopsis

Set in the brothels and gangster dens of Jewish Buenos Aires at the beginning of the twentieth century, The Escape Artist catapults us into the lives of Sofia Teitelbaum (tricked into prostitution and away from the gentility of her Eastern European family), and a handsome, mysterious magician, Hankus Lubarsky (enjoying the freedom of South America after the pogroms of Poland), as they somersault, tumble, and spin their way into an imagined future together.

Traveling in a world of small-scale criminals and large emotions, our two lesbian heroes rub elbows with -- and up against -- Sofia's captors, the formidable and bizarrely religious Madame Perle Goldenberg and her malcontent brother Tutsik; Marek Fishbein, the boorish king pimp of the ghetto; Perle's bordello colleague, salty Red Ruthie; and a bevy of unblushing racketeers, hypocrites, and whores.

Written with the bent notes and dizzying rhythms of a Klezmer tune, The Escape Artist is a breathtaking, delightful tale, full of spills, chills, and lush language. Its historical sleight of hand and brave imagination keep all the balls in the air.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Set in the brothels and gangster dens of Jewish Buenos Aires at the beginning of the twentieth century, The Escape Artist catapults us into the lives of Sofia Teitelbaum (tricked into prostitution and away from the modest gentility of her Eastern European family), and a handsome, mysterious magician, Hankus - formerly Hannah - Lubarsky (enjoying the freedom of South America after the pogroms of Poland), as they somersault, tumble, and spin their way into an imagined lesbian future together. Written with the bent notes and dizzying rhythms of a klezmer tune, The Escape Artist is a breathtaking, delightful tale, full of spills, chills, and lush language.

Synopsis:

A tale of sex, deception, magic and love in the brothels and gangster dens of Jewish Buenos Aires at the turn of the century. Sofia is tricked into prostitution and is somersaulted into the life of the magician Hankus. Together the two women encounter the racketeers, whores and pimps of the ghetto.

About this edition

• Publisher: Firebrand Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 1563410850
• ISBN 13: 9781563410857
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 283