In the Dark Room

Susan Faludi’s ‘In the Dark Room’ Image by Courtesy of Susan Faludi
Susan Faludi’s “In The Darkroom,” a decade-long nonfiction project in which Faludi tries to understand her complex and volatile father after he undergoes a sex change, resonates not for this dramatic plot line, but for Faludi’s reporting chops. She examines her father’s relationship with the Holocaust as a Jewish boy growing up in Hungary and considers her own strains with her father’s mercurial, violent behavior. As Faludi grapples with the fluid nature of identity, the bond with her father flourishes. The book’s personal insertions pull us along on Faludi’s journey to discover the father who remained such a mystery, and yet became a profound figure.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
