About this book
Grotesques and Fantasies by Israel Zangwill crackles with sly wit and uncanny invention, a short-story collection where humor, fairy-tale whimsy and razor-sharp social satire collide. Zangwill—best known for his vivid portrayals of Jewish life in turn-of-the-century London—turns his keen eye beyond the ghetto to lampoon social conventions across classes, blending the real and the fantastic into vivid, unforgettable scenes.
These fictions range from laugh-out-loud comic sketches to bittersweet, almost magical tales: encounters with a pantomime dragon, an impeccable butler, a man who lives his life in the wrong order, and a Jewish maiden who knows her own worth. The stories pair barbed social commentary with elements of fairy tales and grotesque imagination, revealing late-Victorian and Edwardian anxieties about class, identity and modernity without ever losing their comic pulse.
Perfect for listeners who love classic short fiction, literary humor and fantastical short stories, Grotesques and Fantasies is an entertaining, thought-provoking listen for fans of satire and fairy-tale reinvention. Tune in for sparkling prose, memorable characters and Zangwill’s inimitable blend of heart and bite.
