Kasher in the Rye

The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16

By: Moshe Kasher

Narrated by: Moshe Kasher

“The finest, most moving and powerful memoir I have ever read.”—MAYIM BIALIK

Rising young comedian Moshe Kasher is lucky to be alive. He started using drugs when he was just 12. At that point, he had already been in psychoanlysis for 8 years. By the time he was 15, he had been in and out of several mental institutions, drifting from therapy to rehab to arrest to...you get the picture. But Kasher in the Rye is not an "eye opener" to the horrors of addiction. It's a hilarious memoir about the absurdity of it all.

When he was a young boy, Kasher's mother took him on a vacation to the West Coast. Well it was more like an abduction. Only not officially. She stole them away from their father and they moved to Oakland , California. That's where the real fun begins, in the war zone of Oakland Public Schools. He was more than just out of control-his mother walked him around on a leash, which he chewed through and ran away.

Brutally honest and laugh-out-loud funny, Kasher's first literary endeavor finds humor in even the most horrifying situations.

Critic reviews

“The finest, most moving and powerful memoir I have ever read. A complicated and heartbreakingly beautiful analysis of a life of addiction and mental health with a perfect dose of humor."—Mayim Bialik

“Kasher narrates his unlikely odyssey in surprisingly arresting, and
successful, literary terms. . . riotously funny . . .searingly truthful.”
—San Francisco Chronicle

“Kasher’s stream-of-consciousness writing, coupled with vivid
dialogue, make for an emotional story. . . . It is not easy for addicts
to dig deep into their emotional truth about their experiences, but
Kasher does a remarkable job and should be applauded.”—Washington Post

“A compelling memoir . . . .written in Kasher’s distinctly witty and often frantic narrative voice.”—L.A. Weekly

“Kasher spills about his dark childhood . . . .It’s all true (I’ve confirmed). And brutally funny (with the accent
on brutally). I had it so easy. Wow.”—Library Journal

"Out of all the Hip Hop Jewish kids I know with deaf Orthodox parents, Kasher is the funniest. This book is thoughtful, touching, a bit harrowing and hilarious. Don't shy away because his name is Moshe, it's not too 'Jewy'. Emmis." --Marc Maron, comedian and host of the WTF podcast

"Moshe Kasher is a comic genius. In his memoir, KASHER IN THE RYE, he is able to perform an act of comedic magic which is reserved only for the true greats, such as Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, and Mitch Hedberg. Kasher's memoir will take you on a dark and hilarious journey of drugs, alcohol, and madness. But, by the time you reach the end of this book, you will be filled with hope and inspiration that even the most vulnerable can find redemption and recovery." --Artie Lange, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Too Fat to Fish

"Hysterical, heartbreaking, flat-out hilarious...after KASHER IN THE RYE, Moshe Kasher will no longer be known just as a brilliant, cutting edge young comic, but as a genuine monster writer of the highest order. Think Holden Caulfield on dope and bagels, with a side of crime and insane asylums. This is the kind of book that makes you want to wake up everyone you know at three in the morning and scream at them to read. Little Moshe Kasher lived a life no one should have to endure, and we're lucky he survived to write about it. He is living proof that whatever doesn't kill you makes you funnier. I fucking loved this book." --Jerry Stahl, New York Times bestselling author of Permanent Midnight

Wow

As a former drug user, it's so awesome to hear stories of people who have recovered and made something amazing out of their life. To learn about the upbringing by two deaf parents and struggling through the education system. It's just awesome to see him where he is now. Moshe is a hilarious and well-written author, and I love the emotion and wit in the way he reads. Will definitely be listening to this one again.

My new favorite find!

The narration was perfect. The story was engaging. There was never a dull moment where I found myself zoning out. Although the authors past was tragic and heartbreaking, they still managed to tell all their tales with a tone of humor, almost in a stand up fashion. I even found myself laughing at some parts. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a good read. I listened on a road-trip because of a tiktok recommendation, so glad I did! 🙌🏻👏🏻

Being read one's difficult and long gone memories

Thank you Moshe for your incredible and unexpectedly painful story, it's been an intense journey. I've loved your work long before discovering this book, and now I appreciate what you managed to turn yourself into even more.

Fascinating insight

I sought this audio book out after starting the print version. I love Moshe as a comedian and performer, and I wanted to hear him read his book, in fact I started an Audible membership solely for Moshe Kasher’s book.
Listening to him tell his story, in his voice, made the experience so personal and really helped me connect to his story.
It was a fascinating look inside someone’s history, and the way they navigate life.

I recommend this to everyone, I think anyone could get something out of it.

Don’t sleep on it

Been a fan of Kasher’s for a while. Love the standup, the podcast(s), etc, but I neglected his book. I started listening, and didn’t listen to anything else for two days. Heck, I stopped watching Tiger King. I got annoyed when anyone tried to talk to me while listening. I listened to it in the shower. I listened to it endlessly until the end. Well-crafted, smart writing, what are you waiting for? And, what a buttery voice!