IN THE STORM

by Sholom Aleichem ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 3, 1984

Part of this 1907 Sholom Aleichem novel reflects the flood of pogroms against the Jews of Russia and the Pale that followed the 1905 granting (and immediate subsequent retraction) of a constitution by the Czar. There are a few quick, rabbit-punch scenes of the Kiev pogroms; the novel ends up with the Jews getting ready to immigrate to America. But far more energy, wit, and intimate knowledge is expended on the offbeat love-story here--between the daughter of local entrepreneur Itzikl Shostepol and the son of Solomon Safronovitch, the freethinking (""traif'nik"") pharmacist. The families are neighbors at 13 Vasilchikover Street. There's a familiar, deft Sholom Aleichem reversal: Tamara turns out to be a rabid socialist; Sasha is an equally fervent Zionist; thus, both rub salt in the wounds of their fathers' tendencies. More surprisingly, Aleichem uses sophisticated, even modernist techniques throughout: Balzacian delineations of character through the use of lists and summary; newspaper collage-techniques to advance action; acerbic and comic family scenes. And the result, as with Marienbad (1982), is an unexpectedly cosmopolitan, polished rediscovery: a welcome addition to this worthy program of bringing lesser-known Aleichem into English print (superbly translated) for the first time.

Pub Date: April 3, 1984

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1984

Categories: FICTION