Lelli's that a Jewish father could hate his son. Call It Sleep is not an easy book. But how can we condemn the schools for dumb- ing down our chil- dren's reading lists if we give them only those books that can be swal- lowed as easily as that fake vanilla pudding that comes in plastic cups? For a slightly older reader say, late teens and up — you cant go wrong giving a book by Bernard Malamud. The clear choices are his novels The Fixer and The Assistant. But don't forget The Magic Barrel, whose sto- ries feature young Jews trying to rec- oncile the old and new worlds, the rational and supernatural, the stric- tures of middle-class Jewish life and the terrifying freedom of the artist, the tensions and affinities among Christians, Jews and blacks. If you feel compelled to give a young friend a book about the Holocaust, the best choices are The Ghost Writer, in which Philip Roth imagines a young writer encountering a woman he takes to be Anne Frank, grown now, not murdered, living in New York, and the two-volume set of Maus: A Survivor's Tale, by Art Spiegelman. The Maus books are not the comic- book version of the Holocaust most adults assume they must be, but a revealing, deeply troubling and amaz- ingly original work of art. After you have introduced your favorite young reader to the works of the masters, you can follow up with their successors: Pearl Abraham, Michael Chabon, Robert Cohen, Nathan Englander, Allegra Goodman, Marcie Hershman, Maxine Rodburg, Thane Rosenbaum. Give one of the recent anthologies of Jewish American fiction American Jewish. Fiction, for one, or America and I: Short Stories by American Jewish Women Writers and the recipient will go out and find Cordially invites you to celebrate with us We have been serving the Finest Italian Cuisine in Michigan for 62 years Call To Make Your Holiday Party Reservations Now Or For That Special Occasion • Bar Mitzvah • Anniversary • Rehearsal Dinner • Sweet 16 • Retirement • Shower • Birthday • Etc. (248) 373-4440 885 Opdyke Road (Across from the Silverdome) Serving memorable Italian lunches and dinners since 1939 Monday - 'Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. • Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. • Sunday 12 noon to 9 p.m. CAimg. adiand eoteri0 • tie‘Joie &zopean 601e gine _Oinznq ‘i2efiattztail Come experience Chef Michael Hall's inspired menu and his vast background in the culinary arts. Clockwise from top left: Philip Roth: Not until 1993 did I hear a rabbi admit that if he and his col- leagues had paid more attention to Roth's complaints, Jewish adolescents wouldn't have turned to other sources for their spiritual needs. Bernard Malamud: For a slightly older reader — say, late teens and up — you can't go wrong giving a book by Bernard Malamud. Cynthia Ozick: Eventually, you may be able to give your younger relatives books by writers more suited to middle age, like Cynthia Ozick. Michael Chabon: After you have intro- duced your favorite young reader to the works of the masters, you can follow up with their successors, like recent Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon. Enjoy such favorites as: • Roasted Honey Barbecued Salmon* Seasonal Specialties Daily Dine with us New Year's Eve! Daily Specials • Full Bar • Extraordinary Wine List OPEN Mon-Fri for Lunch & Dinner, Saturday for Dinner Only 10790 Highland Rd. (M - 59), White Lake between Elizabeth Lake & Teggerdine 248-698-8823 INTELLIGENT CHICKEN A FUNNY MAN WHERE SMART PEOPLE EAT 1; books by his or her favorite authors. Eventually, you may be able to give your younger relatives books by writ- ers more suited to middle age — Saul Bellow, Cynthia Ozick, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Joseph Heller, Stanley Elkin, Francine Prose, Lynne Sharon Schwartz, and the later Philip Roth. And, if all goes well, who knows? God willing, those no-longer-young relatives will begin buying books for you. ❑ *Canadian Walleye Sauté. •Poached Salmon, Sea Scallops & Shrimp. • Sirloin Steak Bordelaise• $200 off ] ' Any chicken platter Includes 2 side dishes, sliced grain galore bread i (offer valid tutu 12/31/01) BOB POSCH A Comedian & a Classical Guitar Also appearing Big John Cionca DINNER & SHOW Now serving Baby Back Ribs! (248) 855-4455 32431 Northwestern Hwy. (between 14 & Middlebelt, Farmington Hills) M-F: 11 am-7:30 pm; Sat: 11 am-3 pm Dinner & Show '24.50 Show Only '9.00 Sitdown Dinner ... Choice of Grilled Salmon or Chicken. Includes house salad, Gino's bread, potato, vegetable & coffee NOW AT GINO'S 1999 Cass Lake Rd., just West of Orchard Lake Rd. Reservations: Call Irene 248-682-6540 12/7 2001 93