Yiddish for Pirates recounts the compelling story of Moishe, guides us through a world of pirate ships, Yiddish jokes and treasure maps.

SYNOPSIS

 

What do pirates, parrots, and Yiddish have in common? In this wildly inventive novel, Gary Barwin reimagines Jewish history through the eyes of a young Jewish pirate sailing the Caribbean during the Spanish Inquisition. Blending humor, adventure, history, and magical realism, Yiddish for Pirates is a witty and moving exploration of identity, exile, resilience, and the enduring power of language and storytelling.

WHY WE LOVE IT

"What a distinct, original, and hilarious narrator! It’s a brilliant concept, perfectly executed.”
Courtney Freundlich
Member of the Great Jewish Bookshelf 2026 Selection Committee

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

GARY BARWIN is a writer, musician and multimedia artist and the author of 36 books of poetry, fiction and essays. His novel, Yiddish for Pirates was a national bestseller, was shortlisted for the Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Award (in fiction and in French translation) and won the Leacock Medal for Humour and the Canadian Jewish Literary Award. Nothing the Same, Everything Haunted was chosen for Hamilton Reads, also won the Canadian Jewish Literary Award and was shortlisted for the Vine Award. He won the League of Canadian Poets’ Lifetime Membership Award and has twice been shortlisted for their Spoken Word prize. A PhD in music, he has taught and been writer-in-residence in many universities, colleges and universities. He lives in Hamilton, Ontario. garybarwin.com