Description
Book SynopsisThis first-ever translation of Sholom Aleichem’s rediscovered innovative novel
Moshkeleh the Thief has a riveting plot, an unusual love story, and a keenly observed portrayal of an underclass Jew replete with characters never before been seen in Yiddish literature.
Trade Review"Sholom Aleichem's humor comes through in Curt Leviant's lyrical and delightful translation."—Ilka Gordon,
Association of Jewish Libraries“This almost-forgotten novel by one of the greatest Jewish writers of all time is revelatory, vividly depicting an all-too-rarely-seen side of Yiddish literature and Jewish life; its rendering here, by one of Jewish literature’s greatest translators, provides a crackling energy befitting its material. Don’t start it too late in the evening; you won’t be able to put it down.”—Jeremy Dauber, Columbia University professor and author of
The Worlds of Sholem Aleichem“This rediscovered short novel by Sholom Aleichem is a gem—a vivid representation of the underside of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, funny, touching, and biting. Curt Leviant has done a remarkable job with the English translation, aptly catching the pungent colloquial character of the Yiddish.”—Robert Alter, emeritus professor of Hebrew and comparative literature, University of California, Berkeley, and author of
The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary“Moshkele Ganev flies in the face of so much of what we think of when we imagine Eastern European Jewish life. Here, Sholom Aleichem brings us the broadest of visions of that world, not merely by dramatizing the shady characters on society’s margins, but also by inviting us into their emotional lives and uncovering the complicated power structures that can turn them into heroes. For any reader who cares about the Jewish past, this never-before-translated gem will be a revelation—and a delight.”—Dara Horn, author of
Eternal Life: A Novel“More than a century after his death, Sholom Aleichem has a new (or rather a newly rediscovered) book out, and it was worth the wait. Thanks to Curt Leviant for rescuing this unusual love story from obscurity, translating it so beautifully, and, at long last, giving it the readership it deserves.”—Aaron Lansky, author of
Outwitting History: The Amazing Adventures of a Man Who Rescued a Million Yiddish BooksTable of ContentsContents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Discusses Thieves
Chapter 2. He Displays His Mettle Early On
Chapter 3. His Fight with the Goliath of Zlodeyevke
Chapter 4. He Dislikes Mazepevke Jews, and Justifiably So
Chapter 5. Chaim Chosid’s Daughter Scandalizes Mazepevke and the Town Goes Topsy-Turvy
Chapter 6. Chaim Chosid’s Son-in-Law Has an Idea
Chapter 7. Turns Back for a While to Discuss Lofty Matters
Chapter 8. Which Strays Off Course a Bit, Yet Still Has Relevance to the Novel
Chapter 9. An Undeserved Slap
Chapter 10. Moshke Has a Plan
Chapter 11. A Walk in the Monastery Garden
Chapter 12. Hens Lay Eggs, Jewish Girls Make Babies
Chapter 13. On Philosophy, Love, and Other Matters
Chapter 14. Jews Buy Wine for the Seder
Chapter 15. This Pesach Night
Chapter 16. Monastery Bells Are Ringing
Chapter 17. A Dangerous Leap
Chapter 18. A Posted Letter and Some Comments by the Author
Chapter 19. Henekh the Cantor Looks for a Job
Chapter 20. What a Story! What a Tale!
