The Fat of the Land

The American novelist and short-story writer Anzia Yezierska was born in Mały Płock (now in Poland) and came to New York in 1898. Her stories reflect the dislocations of immigration, the grinding poverty of teeming immigrant quarters, and the clash of values and aspirations between parents and children. Her talent was recognized early in her career with the publication of her book of short stories, Hungry Hearts (1920), which was turned into a silent film by Samuel Goldwyn (1925). Feminist critics rediscovered Yezierska’s work in the 1970s and celebrated her for her portrayal of young women struggling to escape immigrant poverty, oppressive social norms, and restrictive religious practices. In the 1980s, the growing interest in both ethnic and women’s writing created further appreciation for her literary works.