Book: The World to Come | Author: Dara Horn | January 5, 2026
Former child prodigy Ben Ziskind steals a Marc Chagall painting at the end of an alienating singles cocktail hour at a local museum, determined to prove that its provenance is tainted and that it belongs to his family. With surety and accomplishment, Horn telescopes out into Ziskind’s familial history through an exploration of Chagall’s life; that of Chagall’s friend the Yiddish novelist Der Nister; 1920s Soviet Russia and its horrific toll on Russian Jews; the nullifying brutality of Vietnam (where Ben’s father, Daniel, served a short, terrifying stint); and the paradoxes of American suburbia, a place where native Ben feels less at home than the teenage Soviet refugee Leonid Shcharansky.
The International Book Club features books by international authors that will take you into worlds and lives around the globe. We delve into mysteries, novels, and folklore influenced by traditions old and new, varied societies, and the passions of creative individuals. Through facilitated discussions, we share a love of reading and learn about diverse cultures. We interpret perspectives and reveal parables. Most of all, we have fun.
Guests are welcome to attend one meeting before being asked to join Upstate International.
The Book Club gathers once per month from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Mondays, August through June. Meeting locations are currently to be determined. Light meals, snacks, and beverages may be purchased during meetings. For more information, email us! ([email protected]) And be sure to sign up for our bi-weekly eBlast to be notified of any changes in the schedule and meeting location.
Coming Next:
The Lion Women of Tehran | Author: Marjan Kamali | February 9, 2026