What do you think?
Rate this book
Happy New Year! and Other Stories
One of the most beloved and prolific writers of Yiddish literature, Sholom Aleichem (1859–1916) produced a wealth of wonderful stories that combine traditional Jewish oral humor with Western literary tradition. For years a living legend, he wrote enduring gems of fiction, eleven of which are included in this entertaining collection.
The master storyteller brilliantly recaptures the joy and tribulations of Jewish life in such tales as "Geese," "At the Doctor's," "Three Widows," "The Passover Eve Vagabonds," "On America," "Someone to Envy," "Three Calendars," "The Ruined Passover," the title story, and two others. Introduced and ably translated by Curt Leviant, these tales sparkle with wit, wisdom, and a warm humanity that will appeal to a wide audience of readers, especially those with an interest in Jewish cultural life.
The master storyteller brilliantly recaptures the joy and tribulations of Jewish life in such tales as "Geese," "At the Doctor's," "Three Widows," "The Passover Eve Vagabonds," "On America," "Someone to Envy," "Three Calendars," "The Ruined Passover," the title story, and two others. Introduced and ably translated by Curt Leviant, these tales sparkle with wit, wisdom, and a warm humanity that will appeal to a wide audience of readers, especially those with an interest in Jewish cultural life.
112 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2000
31 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Sholom Aleichem
289 books188 followersRussian-born American humorist Sholem Aleichem or Sholom Aleichem, originally Solomon Rabinowitz, in Yiddish originally wrote stories and plays, the basis for the musical
Fiddler on the Roof
.
He wrote under the pen name, Hebrew for "peace be upon you."
From 1883, he produced more than forty volumes as a central figure in literature before 1890.
His notable narratives accurately described shtetl life with the naturalness of speech of his characters. Early critics focused on the cheerfulness of the characters, interpreted as a way of coping with adversity. Later critics saw a tragic side. Because of the similar style of the author with the pen name of Mark Twain, people often referred to Aleichem as the Jewish version of Twain. Both authors wrote for adults and children and lectured extensively in Europe and the United States.
He wrote under the pen name, Hebrew for "peace be upon you."
From 1883, he produced more than forty volumes as a central figure in literature before 1890.
His notable narratives accurately described shtetl life with the naturalness of speech of his characters. Early critics focused on the cheerfulness of the characters, interpreted as a way of coping with adversity. Later critics saw a tragic side. Because of the similar style of the author with the pen name of Mark Twain, people often referred to Aleichem as the Jewish version of Twain. Both authors wrote for adults and children and lectured extensively in Europe and the United States.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 22, 2018
With prejudice, this review was predetermined.
Aleichem will survive, in his coffin, the same adoration I have for Woody, Wodehouse, Perelman, Jerome, Steve Martin, Carrie Fisher, Wilde and a couple of other writers in this genre.
Pages that brim with cozy words that induce a smile, a warmth; like a favorite uncle, inside the house and seated beside you, by the hearth on a cold, white, winter’s day. Telling stories.
Erudite, schmaltzy and funny. A rare combination in any vocation, particularly writing.
Even an unsophisticated, uncultured reader (me) needs a little Aleichem, once in a while, to escape the mayhem we have always existed in... until our souls find that other/next world where only smoked fish prevails and it does not wage war with gefilte.
On the other hand…
Aleichem will survive, in his coffin, the same adoration I have for Woody, Wodehouse, Perelman, Jerome, Steve Martin, Carrie Fisher, Wilde and a couple of other writers in this genre.
Pages that brim with cozy words that induce a smile, a warmth; like a favorite uncle, inside the house and seated beside you, by the hearth on a cold, white, winter’s day. Telling stories.
Erudite, schmaltzy and funny. A rare combination in any vocation, particularly writing.
Even an unsophisticated, uncultured reader (me) needs a little Aleichem, once in a while, to escape the mayhem we have always existed in... until our souls find that other/next world where only smoked fish prevails and it does not wage war with gefilte.
On the other hand…
January 19, 2021
Padre della letteratura Yddish.
Libretto comprato a fine anno per il titolo buonagurante.
Quattro divertenti racconti.
Libretto comprato a fine anno per il titolo buonagurante.
Quattro divertenti racconti.
October 15, 2022
Averaging to 3.64 stars.
Nice set of short stories. I loved the monologue narrative style that Sholom Aleichem uses. And the language is very vivid and active! I will certainly read more works by him.
Nice set of short stories. I loved the monologue narrative style that Sholom Aleichem uses. And the language is very vivid and active! I will certainly read more works by him.
March 26, 2022
Fantastic life stories from the bygone era of a shtetl. Being immersed into my grandmother's world was entertaining, fascinating and bittersweet.
September 9, 2022
A very enjoyable and fun book to read.
October 24, 2007
Sholom Aleichem is one of my favorite satirists of all time. It still pleases me to think of the story about his arrival in the USA, where he was introduced to Mark Twain, who greeted him by saying "How do you do, I'm told that I am the American Sholom Aleichem." The similarities between the two are striking.
Anything written by Sholom Aleichem is marvelous, and I hope to read everything one can without being fluent in Yiddish, but this was by far the most disappointing collection I've read. The editor/translator was seeking out less well known and under-appreciated stories, and it may just be that these stories are in fact appreciated exactly as much as they deserve, but I also feel strongly that the translation played a part. The stories were clearly written by Sholom Aleichem but they lacked the real grace and fluidity that I feel embodies his writing.
Worth reading, but if you're not familiar with Sholom Aleichem's work, I recommend picking up Tevye the Dairyman.
Anything written by Sholom Aleichem is marvelous, and I hope to read everything one can without being fluent in Yiddish, but this was by far the most disappointing collection I've read. The editor/translator was seeking out less well known and under-appreciated stories, and it may just be that these stories are in fact appreciated exactly as much as they deserve, but I also feel strongly that the translation played a part. The stories were clearly written by Sholom Aleichem but they lacked the real grace and fluidity that I feel embodies his writing.
Worth reading, but if you're not familiar with Sholom Aleichem's work, I recommend picking up Tevye the Dairyman.
November 30, 2010
Wonderful stories from the Yiddish. Stoies with Jewish humor, particular view of life and living. But I must admit that I love the writing of Shalom Aleichem. Be sure to read "Geese" and On America.
January 4, 2016
I'm convinced that, had I a better understanding of Jewish humor and custom, this would have been funnier. Regardless, they're very clever, entertaining short stories!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews