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Title: Tevye the Dairyman and The Railroad Stories (Library of Yiddish Classics)
ISBN: 0805210695
Author:
Sholem Aleichem
Publicate Date: 1996-10-01
Publish: 1996-10-01
List Price: $15.95
Average Customer Rating: 5.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $7.04
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $2.49
Amazon Merchant Price: $10.85
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| Customer Review: |
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1: A Must for all Directors of "Fiddler on the Roof"
This book was purchased as part of a study prior to a production of 'A Fiddler on the Roof'. It proved invaluable by providing background to the way of life and conditions during the period of the musical play. Since it is the 'base work' for the musical there can be no better reference for director, actor and all the cast.
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2: uneven
A set of short stories - some lifeless, some fairly amusing. Much to my surprise, I found Aleichem's other stories to be livelier than the Tevye stories. I especially liked some of the stories with surprise twists, such as "It Doesn't Pay To Be Good." (If I told you the twist, it would of course spoil the surprise!)
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3: A look into a long-lost culture
What struck me most about these stories, in addition to the sensitive and thoughtful translation and the wonderful Tevye character, is that they don't really depict the long-lost, static, traditional culture of the Eastern European shtetl (Jewish village). By the time Sholem Aleichem wrote these stories, the life of the shtetl was disintegrating. It was a transitional time, when emigration to America, the influence of Western culture, the pull of socialism and other radical movements, and many other forces were already acting upon traditional Judaism. Tevye, whose knowledge of Jewish sources is picturesque but not very deep, was one of the most knowledgeable people in his town. That pretty much says it all.
The Tevye stories are unforgettable, the "railroad" stories of more mixed quality. That is why I only gave the book four stars. Still, highly recommended.
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4: Tevye the Dairyman and the Railroad Stories
I really enjoyed the entire book! The ones associated with Fiddler on the Roof as well as all the others. These stories gave a more in depth perspective of the Russian Jews and the pogroms that they as well as other targeted Russians had to endure. It showed their incredible strength, faith and sense of community that helped them survive. Thank you for a really good book! History at its best!!!
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5: An especially good translation
Hillel Halkin is a master translator. His translation of the Sholem Aleichem stories takes out what might be called a 'corny archaic ' element in some other translations.
Sholem Aleichem's humor and pathos, the non- ending dialogue of his Tevye with God, the Yiddish world of Eastern Europe now lost, the questioning ironic often tender tone, are all here.
Read and enjoy.
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