Review--Market Day

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Market DayMarket Day by James Sturm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a gift from my son, and it's a wise son who knows his mother so well. I found this little tale of a man's journey on market day to be deeply connected to ideals of art vs. commerce, pragmatism vs. creativity, and what it means to be a husband, a father, a creator.

Mendleman is trying to make a living in his Eastern Europe shtetel, never an easy task. He weaves magnificent, one of a kind rugs, each one a story, each one hand-crafted to stand the test of time.

But who would buy such rugs? Merchants want to make quick sales and high profits and are less concerned with craftsmanship than costs.

I look forward to discussing this little tale with the gift-giver, also an artist trying to eke out a living in a harsh environment. When your livelihood is connected to your creativity (something novelists share with artists) reading Market Day gives one much to think about.


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