Forum: Story Recommendations

Thanks - I'll check those out.

Okay, it took me longer than it ought to have to get to it, but Rejuvenated was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again!

Since that's nothing like what it sounds like with either a Yiddish or an Israeli accent, that would be a No.

Now hold still while I whap you with this whole whitefish.

I was amazed no one did. Or, not until now.

I've got that in my TBR pile — I'll bump that up to the top. Thanks.

Preferably from enough of an insider perspective to get it right, at any rate. Speaking as the goy in an otherwise Jewish household, I'm not exactly authentic myself.

Ah — hadn't gotten far enough into that to run across those. Thanks.

Holly is, actually, my favorite character of CBCG. Will check out Bohica.

Holly is, actually, my favorite character of CBCG. Will check out Bohica.

Thank you, she was one of mine, also. And like the girl she was lightly patterned after in real life, a "Modern Jew", who rightfully saw herself as just anybody else, but at the same time treasured her heritage.

Somebody who could revel in her background, and even have some fun with it. But also took it seriously, which is ultimately why when looking it should have been obvious that her and Pete would never have ended up together. She did date Gentiles, but her faith ultimately was important enough to her that she would likely have never married somebody that was not Jewish.

And one thing about my stories, is that for a long time I actually put in almost nothing indicating such things as "race". Simply because to me, it was unimportant. Imagine my characters as any race you want, does not matter to me.

Then, I went almost the opposite way. It came when writing an now lost story (written as a diary), in which the main character throughout the narration said the name of a character as "Tom When". Only in an afterward (written by his daughter) correcting it and saying it was actually "Thom Nguyen". And I always wondered what somebody would think, only at the end realizing that one of the more important minor characters was Vietnamese.

Which I was inspired to do actually by Starship Troopers. It still amazes me that even most who read the book never realize that Johnny Ricco is Pilipino. Because it is only mentioned in passing in one of the very last paragraphs of the book.

And since then, I strive to make most of my stories "multi-cultural". Not from any political sense, but simply because to me, we are ALL "Americans" (or "ALL people" if you are not from the US), and such things really do not matter at all.

The first one I met, I did a double-take myself.

It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that the names Christian and Christina actually had origins that predate the Christian religion.

It does.

It must be remembered, that "Christ" itself is a Greek iteration of the Hebrew word "To anoint", or "messiah". It gained popularity in Greece after it became Christianized, but the name actually existed in earlier forms in Egypt.

And also, the name was very popular in Europe among the Jewish communities, especially in Sweden during the 17th century. That is because Queen Christina of Sweden (R - 1632-1654) essentially pressured Pope Clement X to forbid the chasing and harassment of Jews. And also refused to allow any persecution of Jews in any lands she controlled (or had influence over).

A Kingdom which during that time covered parts of what is now Russia, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Finland, Norway, and all of Denmark. And the name continued on among many families. And another common name from that region and era for both first and last names was Kristal. Also a name very easily anglicized to Christine.

And for Yeshua, that today mostly translates to Joshua. Many old Coptic texts list him as Yeshua Ben Yosef or Yeshua Bar Yosef (Joshua son of Joseph).

When reading the New Testament, it must be realized that a lot of names were likely fictitious and of symbolic importance as well.

Most know of Barabbas, but most likely do not know that the name literally translates to "bar Abba", or "Son of the Father".

Many of the names from the New Testament are quite revealing, when translated into Hebrew, Aramaic, or era versions of Latin.

Haven't read the story, that lets me wonder why Jewish parents would name their daughter Christina.

Most "Modern Jews" in the US largely follow their faith, but also see themselves as "American", and Jewish as faith and not actual heritage as most think of it.

Living in LA, I saw this a great many times. Many I knew almost never gave any indication they were Jewish. And like any other American, might name their children not for faith reasons, but in honor of a friend.

Ho boy, that could be interesting or a disaster. Adding to the pile to find out. Thanks.

While you are at it: Pelle the Collier is friends and partners with a Jewish money lender and his daughter, set in ~14th century Germany.
https://storiesonline.net/s/70752/pelle-the-collier

I already have the start of that series in my reading queue—I'll bump that one up (though not till I finish bounding through your Carter-affiliated adventures).

That looks likely to fit the bill pretty darn well. Thanks!

That does look like it fits the bill. Thanks.

Ah — those look worth sifting through. Thanks!

Thanks! Added to my reading queue. (We've been burying a few too many parents of late jump straight to it alas.)

Thanks!

Another that is somewhat similar is the Crosstime Engineer series by Leo Frankowski. Where after being sent back to 13th century Poland he rises to power and not only allows Jews to settle in his territory, he refuses any to persecute them in any way.

In fact, as they are gearing up for a war against the Mongols, many realize the advantage of a group that will not hesitate to work on a Sunday, so long as they can have from Friday night to Saturday night off. This lets them manufacture war goods 7 days a week without offending anybody over breaking religious taboos.

I'm not finding that on SOL — is it elsewhere?

Ah! Thanks.

Thanks!

Oo, nice one. Thanks!

Amanda's family is perfect, especially the names used in the different generations.