Publishers Weekly
11/27/2023
In this winning blend of humor and pathos, comedian Kasher (Kasher in the Rye) details the years he spent immersing himself in various subcultures, from Judaism to Burning Man, after his teenage stint in rehab. Kasher begins by describing his early life as a nerdy child of divorced, Deaf parents who split his time between Oakland and New York City, before briefly recounting his decision to get sober at 15 (which he covered in depth in Kasher in the Rye). From there, he writes—in the “six scenes” of the title—about finding refuge in communities as wide-ranging as Alcoholics Anonymous, 1990s San Francisco Bay Area raves, and stand-up comedy. Though the tone skews wry and self-deprecating, there’s plenty of room for raw emotion, as when Kasher reflects that, in dying, his Jewish father “had given me a connection to the faith. But he never saw it.” Throughout, Kasher is an erudite and charismatic tour guide, providing well-researched introductions to each of his chosen subcultures before diving into his own experiences with them. This will resonate with readers who’ve felt alone in an overwhelming world. Agent: Richard Abate, 3 Arts Entertainment. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
You’ll probably learn something—unless you’ve lived an identical life to his, which seems statistically impossible—and laugh in roughly equal measure . . . Kasher’s research shines through, revealing detailed histories that might surprise readers . . . Kasher’s ability to blend humor with homework works almost too well.”—New York Times
“Moshe Kasher’s travels through recovery are laid out beautifully, honestly, and effortlessly. I don’t know that I’ve read a more succinct description of the entire experience from soup to nuts. With equal parts authority and humility, Subculture Vulture is an elegant and a hilarious reminder that none of us really know anything for certain.”—Dax Shepard
“An electrifying, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional trip through the worlds Kasher has inhabited, including the one we share: the world of electronic dance music . . . He takes us on a trip through the rave scene of the nineties and you won’t feel like you ‘had to be there,’ because you’ll feel like you are.”—The Chainsmokers
“[Kasher’s] engaging writing style . . . he’s a wry, affable tour guide. It makes for compulsive reading.”—Datebook
“[Kasher] blends his personal narrative with cultural history and criticism, creating a layered, multidimensional story that’s not just about him. . . . His honesty is disarming, and his story is a testament to the constant growth we experience throughout our lives.”—Jewish Book Council
“Whatever your situation, you’ll think anew about the groups you belong to and come away with a new comprehension of those you don’t, as Subculture Vulture provides a brightly paved and wildly winding path to understanding.”—Joyzine
“This book is a godsend, with edgy humor cleverly woven into the captivating tapestry of Deaf history, all seen through the unique lens of a culturally Deaf individual who also happens to be hearing. Prepare to be enlightened and entertained simultaneously.”—Nyle DiMarco, activist, actor, producer, and New York Times bestselling author of Deaf Utopia: A Memoir—and a Love Letter to a Way of Life
“Kasher has the rare gift to simultaneously celebrate a community while also making fun of it. His writing succinctly captures the insanity, the joy, the ridiculousness, and the radical act of fully embracing these worlds.”—Nick Kroll
“A deeply felt meditation on, well, all of Jewish history and Kasher’s place within it . . . It’s thoughtful and funny and, in places I didn’t expect to be, just plain wise.”—Nathan Englander, Pulitzer Prize finalist and bestselling author of What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank
“Kasher’s thoughtful account of the world of comedy is inspired and funny, and the accounts of those early open mics rang very true for me, even though I bombed a lot less than him.”—John Mulaney
“This will resonate with readers who’ve felt alone in an overwhelming world.”—Publishers Weekly
“Vivid and great fun.”—Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
2023-10-21
A stand-up comic offers a deep dive into the off-the-beaten-track communities that have shaped his life.
Continuing in the vein of Kasher in the Rye, Kasher expands on his life story with a New Journalism approach—immersive first-person reporting (and comedic riffing) on interesting American subcultures. “I have at times been a professional raver/DJ/ecstasy dealer; a boy-king of Alcoholics Anonymous surrounded by throngs of other confused young people getting sober; a Burning Man attendee and then employee stuffing the psychedelic sausage; a conflicted but proud Jew attempting to make sense of the ultra-Hasidic world I’d been raised in; an American Sign Language interpreter who was at once both insider and outsider in the deaf community; and what I am today, a stand-up comedian.” What’s not in that employment history—but makes the book intriguing—is his role as a skilled researcher with a knack for making long, detailed chronological accounts of possibly dull topics exciting and funny. As the son of deaf parents, his presentation of deaf education is told in a spirit of outrage, largely directed at Alexander Graham Bell, but also including amusing details—for one, “All I know for sure is that my mother farts in public.” For readers who’ve been nursing a dream of attending the Burning Man festival, Kasher’s granular account may temper their enthusiasm. Similarly, his account of how he clawed his way up the slippery ladder of stand-up comedy should be required reading for any would-be comedians seeking the spotlight. At the end of the story, the author writes about his marriage (to fellow comic Natasha Leggero) and fatherhood, but here, he avoids the jokes: Hopefully, Kasher is saving the wonderworld of absurd subcultures that is parenting for his next book. The author’s history of Judaism alone is worth the price of admission.
Vivid and great fun.