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Stephen J. Dubner
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Turbulent Souls:: A Catholic Son's Return To His Jewish Family Paperback – October 1, 1999

by Stephen J Dubner (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 91 ratings
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Turbulent Souls is a luminous memoir, crafted with the eye of a journalist and the art of a novelist by New York Times Magazine writer and editor Stephen J. Dubner. By turns comic and heartbreaking, it tells the story of a family torn apart by religion, sustained by faith, and reunited by truth.
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  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Avon Books
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 1999
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.83 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    038072930X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0380729302
  8. See all details
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Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fantastic read by a superb writer...a story about coming to terms with the truth, about the satisfaction of coming full circle." -- James McBride, author of The Color of Water

"I have never read a conversion story that was also a love story--I couldn't put it down." -- Jack Miles, author of the Pulitzer-Prize winning God: A Biography

"In addition to being deeply moved by Turbulent Souls, I am full of admiration for Stephen J. Dubner's honesty, the complexity of his intelligence, his commitment to understanding his parent's history, and his refusal to oversimplify." -- Mary Gordon, author of The Shadow Man

About the Author

Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning author, journalist, and radio and TV personality. He quit his first career—as an almost rock star—to become a writer. He has since taught English at Columbia, worked for The New York Times, and published three non-Freakonomics books.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avon Books (October 1, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 038072930X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0380729302
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.83 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 91 ratings

About the author

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Stephen J. Dubner

Stephen J. Dubner

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Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning author, journalist, and radio and TV personality. He quit his first career—as an almost-rock-star—to become a writer. He has worked for The New York Times and published three non-Freakonomics books. He lives with his family in New York City.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
91 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story intriguing and compelling. They describe the book as an enjoyable read that draws them in with its well-written prose. Readers find the writing thoughtful and passionate, provoking thought about religion and identity. Overall, customers consider the book a fascinating read for Jews and others of other faiths.

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Story qualityReadabilityWriting qualityThought provoking
12 customers mention "Story quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the story interesting and engaging. They say it's a compelling tale about finding one's roots and embracing them. The writing draws readers in with beautiful phrases that draw you into the author's story. The book provides an insight into discovering what makes us unique.

"...Turbulent Souls was one of the best stories I have ever read and spoke deeply to my own experience. Stephen is one year younger than my youngest son." Read more

"Love to give this book as a gift. Great true story" Read more

"...A very wonderful story of family and life. Very well written. A joy to read." Read more

"...conversion from Catholicism to Judaism, I found Mr. Dubner's book very compelling...." Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They describe it as a pleasant read that they can't put down.

"...Highly recommend this book. In some ways it reads like an epic novel. You really get a feel for all the different settings, and all the characters...." Read more

"...A very wonderful story of family and life. Very well written. A joy to read." Read more

"...Nonetheless, this is an excellent read. Sensitive, sad, beautiful...." Read more

"...Definitely worth reading." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality engaging and enjoyable. They describe it as well-written, like an epic novel, and an easy read.

"...Highly recommend this book. In some ways it reads like an epic novel. You really get a feel for all the different settings, and all the characters...." Read more

"...A very wonderful story of family and life. Very well written. A joy to read." Read more

"this was interesting, a different book , easy read and I enjoyed it alot, traces a catholic boys journey to his jewish roots" Read more

"Steven Dubner is a fabulous writer!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Thought provoking"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and passionate. They say it speaks to their own experiences and sparks lively discussions about religion and identity. Readers describe it as a fascinating read for Jews and others.

"...Souls was one of the best stories I have ever read and spoke deeply to my own experience. Stephen is one year younger than my youngest son." Read more

"A fascinating read for any Jew. And followers of other religions might enjoy it too...." Read more

"purchased for book club. we had a lively discussion about religion and identity...." Read more

"Thoughtful and passionate..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kathleen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Former late vocation nun now Jewish
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I was baptized Catholic during WWII by the nuns in a boarding school at the age of 10. Married a Catholic and raised our four children Catholic though they remained somewhat "unchurched" as adults. After my husband of 46 years died, I joined a group of widows, nuns in Tijuana and was a Catholic prison chaplain in the US for ten years. When I began to search for my maternal grandmother who died before I was born, I did find her buried in an unmarked grave for 80 years in Iowa - my cousins acknowledged and commemorated her on Mother's Day 2011. Before my mother died she mentioned to me that we had "Jewish" ancestors. When my daughter and I began to research we discovered we are indeed of Sephardic descent going back to the Spanish Inquistion from the Gormenzano family line, though our ancestors are from Amsterdam. My daughter and I made contact with the ACJA (Association of Crypto Jews of America) and in November 2012 attended a Ceremony of Return to Judaism. Turbulent Souls was one of the best stories I have ever read and spoke deeply to my own experience. Stephen is one year younger than my youngest son.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Berl Kaufman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and passionate
    Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Dubner does a phenomenal job tracing his family's transformation and his own personal transformation. Highly recommend this book. In some ways it reads like an epic novel. You really get a feel for all the different settings, and all the characters. The only criticism I have is that some of the characters - some family members - seem a little two dimensional. On the other hand, fleshing them out more would have made the book too long.
    Bravo Dubner. I wish I had read your book 20 years ago when it first came out.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lisa
    5.0 out of 5 stars A favorite
    Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Love to give this book as a gift. Great true story
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  • KR
    5.0 out of 5 stars Turbulent Souls
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    We all have a turbulent soul some time in our life. This book is not for guiding you on your journey but tells you what one person did to bring his soul peace. A very wonderful story of family and life. Very well written. A joy to read.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Only Honest Reviews
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting story, excellent writing
    Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2002
    Verified Purchase
    Boy I enjoyed this book. The author paints the picture of his parents who converted from Judaism to Catholicism, and he goes on an investigation to find out why.
    I did find his descriptions of Christianity to be somewhat strange at times, however, especially considering he was supposed to be from a devout Catholic home. He mentions his impression of Jesus as having been defeated in his death - broken, wanting to get off the cross and escape his fate, but being overpowered finally. That was very strange for me to read, as I don't think it's the view most Christians hold of the crucifixion, especially those who are very firm in their belief or have been reared in the kind of home as the author describes. It was just something that seemed contradictory and puzzling in the book.
    Nonetheless, this is an excellent read. Sensitive, sad, beautiful. I'm not sure the author ever gets a true answer to his questions of why his parents converted, but he does find an answer for his own searching for a spiritual home. His mother also shows incredible patience and tolerance for what must have been just as "turbulent" for her to relive as it was for her son. A multifaceted book that is well worth reading.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Danalee Lavelle
    5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful portrayal of the conversion experience
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 1999
    Verified Purchase
    As an adult exploring conversion from Catholicism to Judaism, I found Mr. Dubner's book very compelling.The angst and conflict experienced by those of us searching for a spiritual Truth is not accomplished in a vacuum. Our families are a very real component. Reading about the conversion experiences of both Stephen and his parents made me feel less of a freak; although I'm not sure I'll ultimately have the courage to make the covenant my heart so desperately wishes to make.I particularly connected with the author's comments on original sin and free will; they are at the top of my 'why' list. So, thank you, Stephen Dubner, for allowing us to feel your pain, your frustration, your exhilaration as you made your spiritual journey.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect condition
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    perfect
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  • Dirtlawyer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read it; You'll Like It.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A fascinating read for any Jew. And followers of other religions might enjoy it too.

    The author's parents converted to Catholicism and became devout followers of that religion. Then the author became exposed to Judaism and became a follower of that religion. Definitely worth reading.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Rude Engineer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Dubner is a journalist and writes well even when he is writing from the heart.

    It is in a way three books, a biography of his parents and description of their journey from the faith of their ancestors to becoming fervent Roman Catholics, a memoir of Dubner's childhood, and a description of his spiritual journey to a rather less fervent Judaism.

    I commend the book as a good read whether the issues affect you or not.
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