Israel Zangwill

Israel Zangwill was a dynamic writer and social activist born in 1864 in London to Jewish immigrant parents. He became a prominent figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his keen insights into the immigrant experience and the complexities of identity. Zangwill's works often reflected his own background, exploring themes of belonging and cultural assimilation. His most famous play, "The Melting Pot," illustrated the challenges and hopes of a diverse society, making a lasting impact on discussions about immigration and multiculturalism.

Beyond his acclaimed plays, Zangwill was also an essayist and novelist who delved into both fiction and socio-political commentary. His writings are characterized by a blend of humor and poignancy, making his observations on society both engaging and thought-provoking. If you're curious about the rich tapestry of human experience through Zangwill's eyes, we invite you to explore his works in the app. There’s a wealth of stories waiting to be discovered!

The Big Bow Mystery

Read by Adrian Praetzellis


Israel Zangwill



It's a cold and foggy night in London. A man is horribly murdered in his bedroom, the door locked and bolted on the inside. Scotland Yard is…

Children of the Ghetto

Read by Adrian Praetzellis


Israel Zangwill



In this 1892 novel of London's Jewish East End, Israel Zangwill sets the apparently irrational and decidedly indecorous religious practices …

The King of Schnorrers

Read by Adrian Praetzellis


Israel Zangwill



Manasseh da Costa, protagonist of this hilarious novel, is a schnorrer (beggar) who lives on the charitable contributions of the Jews of lat…

The Old Maids' Club

Read by TriciaG


Israel Zangwill



Mathematics vs. poetry: Brainy and beautiful 17-year-old Lillie, determined to never marry, begins an Old Maids' Club, while patient young L…

The Bachelors' Club

Read by Keith Salis


Israel Zangwill



The Bachelors' Club is a sanctuary for an elite group of London's unmarried men to gather. To qualify as a Bachelor, each had to undergo a s…

Stories by English Authors: London

Read by Kirsten Wever


F. Anstey, J. M. Barrie, Marie Corelli, Beatrice Harraden, Arthur Morrison, Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch and Israel Zangwill



This book collects seven short stories by some of England's best turn-of-the-(last)-century's writers. The collection begins with the humor …

Grotesques and Fantasies

Read by LibriVox Volunteers


Israel Zangwill



A set of often funny, sometimes tragic stories by Israel Zangwill. Most famous for his scathingly accurate portrayals of the Jewish ghetto, …

Ghetto Comedies

Read by Anthony Ogus


Israel Zangwill



A series of tales, poignant as well as comic, set in the Jewish East End of London by the writer known as the "Dickens of the ghetto&qu…

The Melting Pot

Read by LibriVox Volunteers


Israel Zangwill



Russian-Jew David Quixano has come to America after surviving a pogrom which has killed his family. He has written a symphony which embodies…

My Religion

Read by David Wales


Arnold Bennett, J. D. Beresford, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Henry Arthur Jones, Compton Mackenzie, E. Phillips Oppenheim, H. De Vere Stacpoole, Hugh Walpole, Rebecca West and Israel Zangwill



This 1926 collection of sixteen essays on religion by well-known people (mostly authors) in the early 20th century brings together articles …