Curt Leviant Books

The 20 selections in this volume, lovingly translated by Curt Leviant with all the warmth and spirit of the original Yiddish, encomapss some of Sholom Aleichem’s finest tales, among them “Progress in Kasrilevke,” “Summer Romances,” “Birth,” “There’s No Dead,” “Someone to Envy,” “Three Widows,” “Homesick,” “On America,” “A Home Away from Home,” “To the Hot Springs,” and the title story.Filled with richly atmospheric details and accurate, affectionate characterizations, this collection is sure to delight devotees of this incomparable master of satire and wit.

The discovery of a handwritten manuscript titled "Tinocchia, the Adventures of a Jewish Puppetta" leads to a whimsical tale featuring Tinocchia, a puppet created by her carpenter father, Yossi. Named after the Hebrew word for "baby," she embarks on adventures with Pinocchio, encountering magical beings like Samael, the Dark Angel, and facing challenges like pirates and storms. Their friendship deepens as they navigate the complexities of mortality and desire, culminating in a fairy tale ending filled with hope and companionship.

With the lyrical joy and lighthearted wordplay that have won him critical acclaim, celebrated Jewish author Curt Leviant delivers a charming literary love story against the backdrop of the lush Italian countryside Successful author Giorgio is vacationing in Parma when he meets Sofia, a beautiful woman who bears a striking resemblance to the famous Italian actress Sophia Loren. Giorgio is ecstatic when the lookalike asks for his email, expressing her desire to stay in touch and discuss a problem of hers. To his disappointment, their communication consists not of their own budding romance, but of the details of Sofia's extramarital love affair, a drama that plays out with characters Giorgio has never met. Sofia consults the author in writing an ending to her story--and as authors do, Giorgio rewrites it, desperate to find a place for himself in it. In this enticing email romanza, Leviant delivers a breathless confessional with two beginnings and two endings, leaving it up to the reader to decipher what's real.

A tender Jewish tale follows the story of a young boy named Shimek who finds himself falling in love with Buzie, the daughter of his deceased brother, and due to shyness can only express his feelings through quoting the Bible. 15,000 first printing.

Deux vieux amis se retrouvent lors d'une réunion d'anciens camarades de leur école juive où ils furent élèves ensemble. Ayant depuis peu franchi le cap de la quarantaine, Guido, photographe, et Charlie, psychologue, vont s'intéresser à la même femme mariée, la séduisante Aviva, professeur de violoncelle. A l'insu de Guido, dont elle est la maîtresse, Charlie accepte en effet la belle musicienne parmi ses patients. Cette dernière, cependant, ignore tout des liens qui unissent les deux hommes. Dans ce récit d'amour et de désir, au comique volontiers noir, Curt Leviant relate les rapports triangulaires qui s'installent, vus par chacun des trois personnages. À mesure que les complications vont croissant, les trois protagonistes doivent faire face à la jalousie et à la difficulté de garder ses secrets. Dans ce superbe roman, que l'on a le plus grand mal à poser, l'amour et le plaisir sont tour à tour trouvés et perdus et les impasses rebondissent en nouveaux départs. Salué par la critique comme une œuvre " exquise et enchanteresse ", une œuvre " d'un brio fascinant ", ce roman illustre toutes les facettes du talent de Leviant.