Babka Nu: A Genesis Spiel is a mock epic introducing how the Golem was created, found his companion cat, finds joy in Vaudeville, teams with an out of work Dybbuk and a long dead opera singer to prevent fascism from spreading into Ohio by thwarting the plans of an overblown orange Prune. By novel’s end, Bruce has made his way to the alley that offers his name of choice, Pearl.
While the 4th book, this fits chronologically as the first book in the series.
The brilliant Les Epstein’s Babka Nu: A Genesis Spiel is true to his artistic form. This work is clearly the result of the author’s passion in taking readers on an odyssey rich with imagery, extensive word play, whimsy, and revery, though he knows precisely the actual depth of the literary quest in which he guides us. Like Sleep Cinematic or A Golem’s Quartet: Poems of chats and riverboat trips, the Golem, Pearl –uncomfortable in his own skin – is in search of community. Teddy, in Teddy Orloff and the Three Onions: A Cooking Spiel, is on a mission to find an onion to make latkes, which cures a fever. Babka Nu: A Genesis Spiel begins “Once upon a muddy riverbank Rabbi Zwi came to expunge all escalating sins” and delectably, “Repentance starts with the most magnificent babka cake.” Epstein manages a densely layered, often surreal food journey with apparent ease and finesse while simultaneously alluding to many Columbus, Ohio streets, suburbs, and sites, beginning with “that’s a Schwartz pumpernickel heading with the current to the Ohio,” and “watching a muffin bob toward the Broad Street Bridge.” In addition, historical references come to light, such as the Great Franklinton Flood of 1913. Along the Rabbi’s way, he encounter’s an abundance of characters who help or distract his cause, in a series of musical, theatrical vignettes. The Hoodlum Koo proves quite pervasive, and as the story develops, an ominous tone gains strength: “Koo twisted backwards to preen and sixty birds followed suit tidying filth from feather. He faced the Rabbi, with obvious bits of dirt and shouting lice hanging from his beak.” Throughout this complex expedition of annihilating sin, Epstein alludes to contemporary chaos. In Babka Nu: A Genesis Spiel, in addition to humor, hope reigns: “Whether buzzards or vultures gliding above the alley, the Golem and Cat hung close. They imagine protective chains holding them so no bird of prey could lift them away.” This is a wise, ultimately uplifting, and poignant book that will not disappoint, as Epstein never does.
Meet the Author
Les Epstein is a poet, playwright, opera librettist and educator. His work has appeared in journals in the United States, Philippines, India and the U.K., including Slant, The Bacopa Review, Mojave River Review, Clinch Mountain Review, and Jelly Bucket as well as the anthologies Heat the Grease (Gnashing Teeth Publishing) and Pain & Renewal (Vita Brevis Press). His work was honored by the Writers Guild of Gainesville (FL) in 2021 and has been featured in the podcast, “Sunflower Sutras,” broadcast out of Washburn University. His chapbook, “Kip Divided,” will appear from Finishing Line Press in 2022. As a playwright, his work has been staged by such theaters as the Belfast Maskers (Maine), Greenbrier Valley Theater (WV), Stone’s Throw Dinner Theater (Missouri) and the Roy Arias Studio (New York). He contributed libretti for two operas, Barefoot (1997 premiere) and Miss Lucy (2011 premiere). Cyberwit released a collection of his short plays and libretti (Seven) in 2018. Epstein’s bi-lingual collaboration with Claudia de Franko, Llorona of the River is available through Silver Birchington Plays. He received undergraduate degrees in Theater Performance and English from Otterbein College, and MA in English from Miami (Ohio) University and continued with studies in Literature at New York University and in Theater Education at The Ohio State University. He completed his teacher training at Mary Baldwin College. In addition to work with theater, opera and ballet companies from North Carolina to New York City he spent ten seasons as Education Director and Production Coordinator for Opera/Columbus and another seven as Executive Director for the Children’s Theater of Winston-Salem before settling in as a teacher with Community High School (Roanoke) for which has staged more than thirty-five productions.
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