Samantha Ellis, a playwright and author, has released her latest book, Chopping Onions on My Heart, a poignant memoir reflecting on her Iraqi-Jewish heritage. Through themes of language preservation, generational trauma, and the complexities of family relationships, Ellis confronts which parts of her ancestry to maintain and which to let go, reports BritPanorama.
Ellis, known for her acclaimed works including How to be a Heroine and Take Courage, articulates her deep connection to family narratives as she selects five novels that encapsulate family dynamics and intergenerational relationships.
Victoria by Sami Michael, translated by Dalya Bilu
This family saga mirrors Ellis’s own roots, focusing on a Jewish family in Baghdad before the First World War. Set in a cramped courtyard house, the narrative explores the family’s internal conflicts, betrayals, and complicated relationships against the backdrop of a community that has almost vanished, with only three Jews believed to remain in Iraq today.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
In this expansive novel, two Jewish cousins navigate the horrors of Nazi-occupied Europe, as one escapes in a coffin while the other remains in America. They co-create a superhero who battles tyranny in comic books, juxtaposed with their real struggles to protect their family from the Nazis. The story intertwines the themes of love, creativity, and survival.
The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji
Selected for the Women’s Prize shortlist, this novel follows Persian exiles in Los Angeles, aptly dubbed “Tehrangeles.” It mixes dark comedy with serious themes, such as misogyny and familial bonds, as characters navigate their dual identities and past traumas amidst a luxurious backdrop.
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
The narrative explores inherited trauma through a teenager’s journey to understand her family’s history, which includes the heartbreak of a civil war in Cyprus. This multigenerational story highlights the lasting impact of familial conflicts and the quest for identity in the aftermath of personal and collective loss.
Rules for Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore
This intriguing novel blends queer romance with the setting of a Jewish funeral home. It tells the story of a protagonist balancing the expectations of both the living and the dead, while also belonging to a found family, illustrating the tension between familial ties and the pursuit of love.
‘Chopping Onions on My Heart’ by Samantha Ellis (Chatto & Windus, £16.99) is shortlisted for the Wingate Prize.
