Demons and Davening: A Book Review of The Jewish Fantasy Novel When The Angels Left the Old CountryBy Shoshana Medved

Heavenly creatures hiding among us. Vengeful ghosts emerging from ancient magic. Sixteen-year-olds saving the world. If this sounds like your average young adult fantasy novel, think again — unlike pretty much any other fantasy story, these characters wear tefillin and tallit before strutting into battle. 

When the Angels Left the Old Country is a fantasy triumph, blending Jewish folklore with the history of our ancestors. We follow the journey of a Jewish angel and demon who fondly call each other chevrusas - study partners - as they bicker about Talmud lines in their Poland shtetl. When they decide to immigrate to America, their worlds will change forever. 

For fans of the incredible book-turned-TV show Good Omens, this novel by Sacha Lamb is sure to become an instant classic. Just like Good Omens features the unlikely connection of a demon and angel, so too do the demon and angel in this book bond deeply. In this book, both the angel and demon consider themselves observant Jews and display their faith proudly, although the angel practices shacharit each morning while the demon “practices” goofing off during shul services. 

As a kid who was always curled up with a fantasy book, I remember wishing sometimes there were more characters that represented my experience on the page. There was the occasional Jewish person who popped up – one of my favorites was Simon from The Mortal Instruments series – but Jewish protagonists (especially those that were religious) were far and few between. 

This book healed my inner child desperately searching for positive representation.  Finally, there were characters who observed Shabbat just like I did and were still able to save the world the very next day. Words and phrases that I’ve only expected to hear at Chabad were woven into countless paragraphs. When The Angels Left The Old Country is proudly Jewish, never for a second faltering in its commitment to spotlighting Judaism. 

This story reflects the experience of so many Jews worldwide. Immigration is as deeply rooted in our culture as Friday night dinner. Ask your Jewish friends or family where their ancestors come from — I would bet good money that rarely any would answer simply “America” and nothing more. Just like my own grandparents from Eastern Europe, our fictional protagonists make their way to Ellis Island, starting their lives from scratch in what they’re told is a land paved with gold. Witnessing our main characters’ journey together feels like finding an old siddur from a long-gone relative. Suddenly, in spite of never meeting them before they passed, you feel utterly and irrevocably connected with them. 

Though it takes place more than a century ago, this book perfectly integrates present-day principles. When traveling to America, the angel and demon meet Rose Cohen, a girl who defies gender roles of the time and is a budding businesswoman for her family. She is whip-smart and funny, refusing to stay out of the action simply because she was assigned female at birth. Queer themes are also present throughout the text, once again defying the norms of the time to explore gender and sexuality in an honest and touching manner. Author Sacha Lamb handles everything with care and kindness, showcasing a wide range of Jewish experiences throughout their work. 

There’s always a single, spellbinding moment when you realize the book you just picked up will be one you remember for the rest of your life. When The Angels Left The Old Country is indeed that story for me, becoming my newest addiction with a gripping tale of love, loss, and growth. Every Jew should make this novel their very next read.

-Shoshana Medved