Picture a storyteller who weaves tales from an Orthodox Jewish upbringing into universal truths—meet Nathan Englander! This fifth-generation American Jew has captivated readers with his sharp wit, empathetic storytelling, and fearless exploration of identity. From his Pulitzer-finalist short stories to his gripping novels, Englander’s work dances between humor and heartbreak, making him a standout in contemporary fiction.
The Making of Nathan Englander
Born in 1970 in West Hempstead, Long Island, Nathan Englander grew up steeped in the traditions of an Orthodox Jewish community. His education at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County shaped his early worldview, but it was literature that sparked his rebellion against a rigid, insular upbringing. After graduating from the State University of New York at Binghamton, he honed his craft at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. In the mid-1990s, Englander moved to Israel for five years, an experience that deepened his perspective on Jewish identity and conflict, themes that permeate his work.
Nathan Englander’s Unforgettable Stories
Englander burst onto the literary scene with his 1999 debut, For the Relief of Unbearable Urges, a short story collection that earned the PEN/Faulkner Malamud Award and Sue Kaufman Prize. These tales, blending dark humor with poignant insights, explore faith, desire, and cultural tension. His first novel, The Ministry of Special Cases (2007), set during Argentina’s Dirty War, showcases his ability to weave historical tragedy with personal grief, described as both “side-splitting” and “frighteningly macabre.”
His 2012 collection, What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, a Pulitzer finalist and winner of the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award, tackles modern Jewish life with biting wit. The title story, inspired by Raymond Carver, examines morality through a provocative parlor game. Englander’s latest novel, kaddish.com (2019), hilariously yet tenderly probes tradition versus modernity as a secular Jew outsources his father’s Kaddish prayer online. His style—precise, psychologically rich, and often mischievous—makes every story a masterclass in balancing levity with depth.
Why Nathan Englander Matters
Englander’s impact lies in his ability to bridge cultural divides, making Jewish experiences resonate universally. His stories challenge readers to confront moral complexities, whether through the lens of historical trauma or contemporary dilemmas. As a teacher at NYU and a translator of works like the New American Haggadah, he shapes the next generation of writers. His numerous accolades, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, cement his place as a literary luminary whose empathetic voice speaks to all.
- About Nathan Englander
- Born: 1970, West Hempstead, New York
- Key Works: For the Relief of Unbearable Urges, The Ministry of Special Cases, What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, kaddish.com
- Awards: PEN/Faulkner Malamud Award, Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award, Pulitzer Prize finalist
Snag What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank and dive into Nathan Englander’s witty, soul-stirring world of contemporary fiction!