Hester Street is a captivating non-fiction dive into the Jewish immigration experience of the late 19th century, told through the lens of Joan Micklin Silver’s 1975 debut film of the same name. Julia Wagner takes us behind the scenes of the movie’s creation, exploring the struggles, triumphs, and cultural impact it carried.

The film follows Gitl (portrayed by Carol Kane, who earned a Best Actress nomination at the 1976 Academy Awards), an Orthodox Jewish woman newly arrived in New York City from Eastern Europe. She reunites with her husband, who’s already assimilated into American life, and through her eyes, we witness the cultural clash, personal struggles, and changes she must face.

Something that stood out to me while reading was how rare it was for Jewish women’s experiences to be recorded during that time. Many were illiterate, meaning their perspectives often went undocumented. This makes Hester Street animportant historical and cultural work not only on screen but also in Wagner’s retelling and analysis.

The book also sheds light on how difficult it was for Micklin Silver to get the project made. It was a low-budget, black-and-white, female-led independent production in Yiddish, a combination the film industry didn’t exactly welcome. Yet, it went on to achieve both critical and commercial success.

I hadn’t heard of the film before reading this book, but now I’m hooked. It’s sent me down a rabbit hole of exploring more Jewish immigrant narratives and appreciating the way film and books can preserve cultural history. Wagner’s writing is concise (just 112 pages) but packed with rich insights. The detailed notes in the back also offer excellent recommendations for further reading.

Overall, I’m giving Hester Street four stars. It’s a quick but thought-provoking read that opens the door to a fascinating corner of cinema and cultural history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.