Lipshitz Six is a postmodern tale of identity, heredity and gender in two parts. The first is the story of Hersch and Esther Lipshitz and their family. They flee Russia at the beginning of the 20th century, only to lose their youngest child at Ellis Island when they reach New York. Years later, Esther becomes convinced that Charles Lindbergh is her long lost son.

The story continues with a protagonist who shares the name of/is a version of the author, T Cooper. Cooper is the author of one well received novel, but has since taken up earning money impersonating Emimen at Bar Mitzvahs. The second half is the weaker of the two. The narrator is less well realized as a character, and has the unfortunate habit of dully taunting the reader.

The ending is interesting. [Spoiler] It turns out that the narrator is the opposite gender of what I’d assumed, which (of course) forced me to examine my own assumptions.