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The Lost Heifetz and Other Stories
A musician has a life-changing encounter in a New York record store with a mysterious old man who may have known a brilliant violinist who was presumed to have died in World War II... The Picture of Dorian Gray is revealed to be a pure fiction by one of the characters from the novel who explains what really happened to the infamous portrait and its subject... An aspiring writer receives a surreal and mind-bending lesson in creative writing from a pawnbroker who deals in narrative voices... The well-ordered life of a widower in a peaceful English village is disturbed by the arrival of a wealthy new resident who needs to be taught a lesson in respect... An art dealer and an artist meet on vacation and embark on an intense affair that is tested by their redacted lives... These and other stories and satires, set in the US and Britain, explore the lives, relationships, and search for fulfillment of men and women from many walks of life.
- GenresShort Stories
348 pages, Hardcover
Published November 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 29, 2019
I was taken by surprise when I read this book which includes some of the best stories I have ever read. What a wonderful book filled with extraordinary tales by my new short story genius. I rarely give a book 5 stars, and I am so thankful to have been introduced to the fabulous talent of Michael Tabor. My advice to everyone is to seek out this book. Be on the lookout for THE LOST HEIFETZ AND OTHER STORIES.
December 20, 2018
Reviewed by Jennifer Wilson for Reader Views (12/18)
“The Lost Heifetz and Other Stories” is a collection of twelve of the best stories I've ever read. I never thought I would enjoy another collection as much as I enjoyed The Bachman Books by Stephen King. It is my opinion that Michael Tabor's imagination rivals King's in each of these captivating stories.
From the first story of an amateur musician who meets a stranger, long thought to be dead, while browsing through classical music in a New York music shop, to the final story of an assistant professor who is fed up with the way the university’s political game is played until he learns how to play the game himself, I enjoyed every word. The writing is impeccable, and the narration rich in detail.
“Sir George and the Dragon” has a simple plot, with ordinary characters, but this tongue-in-cheek story will show you that there are many basic human emotions that we all share. In “What Really Happened to Dorian Gray,” the author breathes new life into a familiar story, telling it from the point of view of a woman scorned and making it completely believable.
“Memory Lane” completely shocked me with the plot twist and ending and left me wanting to read more about the history of the lead character. “The Show Never Stops” had me completely enthralled with the telling of the story of a famous theatre from the point of view of the most unlikely characters. I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite.
I believe that any one of these twelve stories could be turned into a full novel by this masterly author. They each stand alone as complete. I didn’t come away with the feeling that the story lacked any detail or substance.
Michael Tabor's writing is intelligent. Scattered throughout each story are little facts about a variety of subjects. I love the fact that I learned a few new words from this book. Tabor writes with what seems like respect, for lack of a better word, for the language. Even when the stories take a satirical turn, they aren’t inauthentic.
I am amazed by his ability to develop such complex characters and settings in such a short amount of time. I was left at the end of each story, wishing that it was a full novel. Tabor takes you on a journey into the thoughts of each character, giving you an insight into their feelings that makes you wish you had more time to get to know them.
In all, I would highly recommend “The Lost Heifetz and Other Stories” by Michael Tabor. The variety of the stories within this book is amazing. There truly is something to appeal to everyone.
“The Lost Heifetz and Other Stories” is a collection of twelve of the best stories I've ever read. I never thought I would enjoy another collection as much as I enjoyed The Bachman Books by Stephen King. It is my opinion that Michael Tabor's imagination rivals King's in each of these captivating stories.
From the first story of an amateur musician who meets a stranger, long thought to be dead, while browsing through classical music in a New York music shop, to the final story of an assistant professor who is fed up with the way the university’s political game is played until he learns how to play the game himself, I enjoyed every word. The writing is impeccable, and the narration rich in detail.
“Sir George and the Dragon” has a simple plot, with ordinary characters, but this tongue-in-cheek story will show you that there are many basic human emotions that we all share. In “What Really Happened to Dorian Gray,” the author breathes new life into a familiar story, telling it from the point of view of a woman scorned and making it completely believable.
“Memory Lane” completely shocked me with the plot twist and ending and left me wanting to read more about the history of the lead character. “The Show Never Stops” had me completely enthralled with the telling of the story of a famous theatre from the point of view of the most unlikely characters. I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite.
I believe that any one of these twelve stories could be turned into a full novel by this masterly author. They each stand alone as complete. I didn’t come away with the feeling that the story lacked any detail or substance.
Michael Tabor's writing is intelligent. Scattered throughout each story are little facts about a variety of subjects. I love the fact that I learned a few new words from this book. Tabor writes with what seems like respect, for lack of a better word, for the language. Even when the stories take a satirical turn, they aren’t inauthentic.
I am amazed by his ability to develop such complex characters and settings in such a short amount of time. I was left at the end of each story, wishing that it was a full novel. Tabor takes you on a journey into the thoughts of each character, giving you an insight into their feelings that makes you wish you had more time to get to know them.
In all, I would highly recommend “The Lost Heifetz and Other Stories” by Michael Tabor. The variety of the stories within this book is amazing. There truly is something to appeal to everyone.
March 12, 2018
'Full of quirks and intrigue, the stories in The Lost Heifetz and Other Stories are sometimes humorous, occasionally bleak and always smart, with flawed characters trying their best to carve out a life for themselves and find the balance between how people see them and how they would like to be seen.'
That was how this book of short stories was described to me when I was asked to review it. I entirely agree with that description and would add that many of these twelve stories would rank among the best short stories I've read. I love the cleverness of the stories, the inventiveness, the humour and the insight. I also love the variety of setting and theme.
Many of the stories focus on creativity, for example the title story follows an amateur musician who meets an old man in a record shop and becomes convinced that he is a violinist believed to have died during the second world war. The story within a story approach can be tricky to pull off but here is handled deftly and works beautifully to create a storyabout the power of music.
Meanwhile, The Show Never Stops reflects on life in the theatre from the varying perspectives of people who work in the theatre and some of the inanimate parts of the theatre including the stage and the mirror behind the bar. It's particularly entertaining to read the opinions that the characters have about each other.
Home Again explores the life and personality of Jean, a professional house sitter. The various layers of her persona are peeled back to gradually reveal surprising facets of her identity and personal history.
Sir George and the Dragon is a very clever and entertaining account of how pompous George Tomkins wins over the new resident of the 'big house' in the village, also called George.
It's not fair to choose a favourite story, as all twelve are brilliant and all well worth re-reading. However, I was particularly interested in the ideas in The Pawnbroker, in which Sam visits a pawnbroker to pawn a story. What follows is a fascinating insight into inspiration, authorial voice, professional jealousy and the blurred line between truth and fiction.
So if you love short fiction you need to put this book on your reading list. If you have yet to discover the great enjoyment that can be found in short stories, this is the book to start with!
That was how this book of short stories was described to me when I was asked to review it. I entirely agree with that description and would add that many of these twelve stories would rank among the best short stories I've read. I love the cleverness of the stories, the inventiveness, the humour and the insight. I also love the variety of setting and theme.
Many of the stories focus on creativity, for example the title story follows an amateur musician who meets an old man in a record shop and becomes convinced that he is a violinist believed to have died during the second world war. The story within a story approach can be tricky to pull off but here is handled deftly and works beautifully to create a storyabout the power of music.
Meanwhile, The Show Never Stops reflects on life in the theatre from the varying perspectives of people who work in the theatre and some of the inanimate parts of the theatre including the stage and the mirror behind the bar. It's particularly entertaining to read the opinions that the characters have about each other.
Home Again explores the life and personality of Jean, a professional house sitter. The various layers of her persona are peeled back to gradually reveal surprising facets of her identity and personal history.
Sir George and the Dragon is a very clever and entertaining account of how pompous George Tomkins wins over the new resident of the 'big house' in the village, also called George.
It's not fair to choose a favourite story, as all twelve are brilliant and all well worth re-reading. However, I was particularly interested in the ideas in The Pawnbroker, in which Sam visits a pawnbroker to pawn a story. What follows is a fascinating insight into inspiration, authorial voice, professional jealousy and the blurred line between truth and fiction.
So if you love short fiction you need to put this book on your reading list. If you have yet to discover the great enjoyment that can be found in short stories, this is the book to start with!
March 20, 2018
Twelve insightful, satirical and totally enthralling short stories
Michael Tabor grew up in the UK and worked in the US as a professor of Applied Physics at Columbia University and of Applied Mathematics at the University of Arizona. After a career of teaching and research, he has given up the academic life to write fiction. I believe that this is his first published work and it is an absolute gem!
The twelve short stories couldn’t be more diverse and are set both in the UK and the US.
The first is about Colin, a young musician who, whilst looking for a Bach recording in HMV, meets an enigmatic elderly gentleman whose knowledge of Bach and the classical music scene in Vienna between the Wars makes a huge impression on him. On talking to his good friend, Peter, he learns about a legendary violinist, Isaac Berg, who was killed during the war.
Colin is convinced that the elderly gentleman could be, or would have known Isaac Berg, and sets out to track him down. What he discovers is life-changing.
Another story tells of the life of a theatre from the viewpoints of the actors, crew, directors, audience and even the stage and the lavatories. Very different but no less engaging.
A third professes to tell the true story of Oscar Wilde’s, Dorian Gray.
The other nine are equally diverse, taking the reader from Nice in the South of France to small-town America and to the world of politics in academia, a world which Tabor knows well. There are no ‘duds’; each offering says something about life and the human condition. Some have humour, others tragedy and pathos, a very cornucopia of delights.
The writing is unpretentious and the stories page-turning. I would defy anyone to read one and put the book down for later; I couldn’t wait to see what the next story and the next etc. would reveal.
Buy it – read it- tell your friends!!
Pashtpaws
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Michael Tabor grew up in the UK and worked in the US as a professor of Applied Physics at Columbia University and of Applied Mathematics at the University of Arizona. After a career of teaching and research, he has given up the academic life to write fiction. I believe that this is his first published work and it is an absolute gem!
The twelve short stories couldn’t be more diverse and are set both in the UK and the US.
The first is about Colin, a young musician who, whilst looking for a Bach recording in HMV, meets an enigmatic elderly gentleman whose knowledge of Bach and the classical music scene in Vienna between the Wars makes a huge impression on him. On talking to his good friend, Peter, he learns about a legendary violinist, Isaac Berg, who was killed during the war.
Colin is convinced that the elderly gentleman could be, or would have known Isaac Berg, and sets out to track him down. What he discovers is life-changing.
Another story tells of the life of a theatre from the viewpoints of the actors, crew, directors, audience and even the stage and the lavatories. Very different but no less engaging.
A third professes to tell the true story of Oscar Wilde’s, Dorian Gray.
The other nine are equally diverse, taking the reader from Nice in the South of France to small-town America and to the world of politics in academia, a world which Tabor knows well. There are no ‘duds’; each offering says something about life and the human condition. Some have humour, others tragedy and pathos, a very cornucopia of delights.
The writing is unpretentious and the stories page-turning. I would defy anyone to read one and put the book down for later; I couldn’t wait to see what the next story and the next etc. would reveal.
Buy it – read it- tell your friends!!
Pashtpaws
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews