Goyhood

Journalist Fenton’s vibrant debut novel takes listeners on a lively ride, following estranged twin brothers who grapple with shocking family secrets after their mother’s untimely death. Mayer and David Belkin grew up in Moab, GA, where they dove into Judaism and prepared for their bar mitzvahs after a chance encounter revealed their Jewish heritage. Later, an adult David lives a secular life, while Mayer becomes a Torah scholar, marries a devout Jewish woman, and lives in a secluded orthodox Brooklyn community. When their mother dies, leaving behind a note that reveals she lied about being Jewish, the brothers’ lives are turned upside down. Instead of sitting shiva, they hit the road, bound for Georgia, with Mayer determined to officially convert to Judaism before his return. Along the way, the brothers meet a fascinating array of people, adopt a stray dog, and reassess their relationships and their life trajectories. Narrator Mike Lenz offers an engaging performance, seamlessly incorporating the Hebrew and Yiddish phrases sprinkled throughout. He does occasionally use nonstandard pronunciations, which may pull some listeners out of the story.