Doctor Science
asked
Bethany Jacobs:
I'm Jewish, and am wondering if I'm just projecting or if I'm seeing some pretty significant Jewish elements in These Burning Stars. With the Jeveni, of course, but also Chono's solutions at the end have a lot of echoes of Danya Rutenberg's On Repentence and Repair. Is this my imagination?
Bethany Jacobs
Hi, Doctor Science. This is such a great question, and you're not projecting at all. The book was very much driven by the experiences of refugee and historically enslaved people groups. So while it isn't meant as a Jewish allegory, the experience of the Jeveni as survivors of a genocide is 100% evocative of Jewish history. And yes, Rutenberg's theory of repentance, repair and return is relevant here, as are the ethos of women of color feminists. I hope you enjoyed the book!
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