🎤︎︎ New Five Books Episode: Toby Lloyd on Biblical Horror and being a Jewish Atheist

Toby Lloyd discusses Fervor, his haunting debut novel inspired by a rereading of the Bible. Struck by the richness, ambiguity, and moments of horror in Genesis and Exodus, Toby explores how these ancient stories can speak to modern readers. We talk about his aim to write for a broad audience, the place of British Jews in the heart of English literature, and why Marcel Proust’s portrayal of Jewish identity feels as urgent today as it did a century ago.

In Fervor, Hannah and Eric Rosenthal are devout Jews living in North London with their three children and Eric’s father Yosef, a Holocaust survivor. As Hannah prepares to publish an account of Yosef's years in war-torn Europe—unearthing a terrible secret from his time in the camps—Elsie, her perfect daughter, starts to come undone. And then, in the wake of Yosef’s death, she disappears. When she returns, just as mysteriously as she left, she is altered in disturbing ways.

Toby Lloyd studied English at Oxford University before moving to America to pursue an MFA in creative writing at NYU. He has published short stories and essays in Carve Magazine and the Los Angeles Review of Books and was longlisted for the 2021 V. S. Pritchett Short Story Prize. He lives in London. Click on the graphic above to listen!

Toby Lloyd’s Five Books

1. The Jewish Joke by Devorah Baum

2. In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust

3. The Truce by Primo Levi

4. The Furrows by Namwali Serpell

5. Fervor by Toby Lloyd

What Else We’re Reading Now:

This sparkling and big-hearted novel captures the push and pull between a young widow and her sharp-tongued mother-in-law, both learning how to grieve, laugh, and start again. Full of humor, heart, and surprising tenderness, it’s a story about family friction that blossoms into unexpected connection.

We hope you enjoy this week’s episode! Tell us what you think at [email protected] or by replying to this email!

The Five Books is a partner organization of the Jewish Book Council, a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying and celebrating Jewish literature and supporting authors and readers. Stay up to date on the latest in Jewish literature! https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/