Debut Novel Explores Mystical History of Eastern European Family

In her captivating debut novel, ‘City of Laughter,’ Temim Fruchter explores the mystical history of her Eastern European family. Fruchter, known for her work as a musician with the Shondes and her queer activism, embarks on a journey to reconnect with her roots during a tour stop in Warsaw. This brings her to Ropshitz, the hometown of her great-grandparents, where she experiences a mix of ghostly encounters and a search for connection.

Fruchter delves into her feelings of being a diasporic Jew, unsure if her bond with her ancestral homeland is genuine or a longing for a connection she never had. The book, described as a speculative history, follows the story of Shiva, a young Jewish woman navigating her place in a lineage of complex matriarchal figures, all touched by something mystical.

Just like the protagonist, Fruchter grew up in an observant but permissive Orthodox household in Silver Spring, MD. Her parents, an art teacher and musician, instilled a love for Jewish folklore through Friday night readings. While her family adhered to strict dietary laws and observed Shabbat, Fruchter’s curiosity led her to question and experiment with her faith.

During her time at the University of Maryland, where she completed her English degree, Fruchter explored her queerness and delved into subjects such as Zionism and Judaism. Moving to Brooklyn after graduation, she found a community of radical Jews who lived their lives with an unconventional approach to their faith. Fruchter’s experiences living at the intersection of queerness and Jewish tradition inform much of her novel.

‘City of Laughter’ weaves together the diverse threads of Fruchter’s life, drawing on her upbringing, Orthodox roots, and her exploration of queerness. The story reveals Shiva’s discovery of generational trauma and her journey to uncover her family’s mystical history. Fruchter’s unique blend of reality and myth, past and present, has already garnered critical acclaim, with a starred review in Publishers Weekly and high praise from Lauren LeBlanc in the New York Times.

Fruchter’s novel challenges traditional storytelling conventions and explores the idea of finding comfort in mystery rather than seeking standard happy endings. ‘City of Laughter’ asserts that embracing unconventional narratives allows for more authentic and expansive lives.