Literary Fiction· Canada
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
by Mordecai RichlerAggregate Editorial Score30/100
ALA Notable Books
Published 1959328 pagesEnglish
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The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz by Mordecai Richler is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 1959. Duddy Kravitz, a street-smart young Jew from Montreal's St. Urbain Street, obsessively pursues land and money in Richler's darkly comic satirical portrait of ambition and alienation in postwar Canada. Themes of ambition, Jewish Canada, Montreal run through the work. The book has received recognition from ALA Notable Books 1959.
Book Details
About the Category
📖 Literary Fiction
Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.
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🇨🇦 Canada
This book is part of Canada's rich literary tradition.
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The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz by Mordecai Richler sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1959 in Canada, it engages with ambition, Jewish Canada, Montreal, satire in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention.
Among its recognitions: ALA Notable Books 1959. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys.
The appeal of The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of ambition, Jewish Canada, Montreal, satire is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page.
Within Canada's literary landscape, Mordecai Richler occupies a significant position. The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
ALA Notable Books
notable · national
195910
Mordecai Richler is a celebrated author from Canada known for influential works of literary fiction.
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