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Literary Fiction· United States

Here I Am

by Jonathan Safran Foer
Aggregate Editorial Score72/100
★Costa Book Award
Published 2016English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

When Jonathan Safran Foer published Here I Am in 2016, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. A failing marriage, a bar mitzvah, and a catastrophic earthquake in the Middle East force a Jewish-American family to grapple with identity, loyalty, and what it means to be present. Foer's sprawling, ambitious third novel is a meditation on the disintegration of family and Jewish identity. Themes of marriage, Jewish identity, family run through the work. The book has received recognition from Costa Book Award 2016.

Book Details

AuthorJonathan Safran Foer
Published2016
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780374280024
Editorial Score72/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2016 in United States, it engages with marriage, Jewish identity, family, Israel in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Here I Am among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Costa Book Award 2016. Our aggregate score of 72/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. The appeal of Here I Am lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of marriage, Jewish identity, family, Israel is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Here I Am reflects Jonathan Safran Foer's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Costa Book Award
winner · national
201672
✍️
About the Author
Jonathan Safran Foer
United States
View Author →

Jonathan Safran Foer is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Here I Am about?

A failing marriage, a bar mitzvah, and a catastrophic earthquake in the Middle East force a Jewish-American family to grapple with identity, loyalty, and what it means to be present. Foer's sprawling, ambitious third novel is a meditation on the disintegration of family and Jewish identity.

Who wrote Here I Am?

Here I Am was written by Jonathan Safran Foer, from United States. First published in 2016.

What awards has Here I Am won?

Here I Am has received the following awards and honours: Costa Book Award 2016.

Is Here I Am worth reading?

Here I Am is a widely acclaimed work with strong critical consensus, with an aggregate editorial score of 72/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in marriage, Jewish identity, family.

Where can I buy Here I Am?

You can buy Here I Am on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Here I Am?

Here I Am is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Here I Am from?

Here I Am originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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