Curt Leviant Book order

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.

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.

In Venice, the narrator meets two women, one a devout and sensual Parisian, the other, an enigmatic beauty, who is mute but can hear. At the wedding--whoever bride may be--a 17th century rabbi will preside. For in this true fiction, characters cross time lines. Fiction. Jewish Studies.

The author, known for their homage to Franz Kafka in Kafka's Son, has received prestigious accolades, including the Edward Lewis Wallant Award and an O. Henry Prize for The Yemenite Girl. With a diverse body of work that has been translated into five languages, their novels have achieved critical acclaim across several European countries such as France, Belgium, Greece, and Italy, highlighting their international recognition and literary impact.

Exploring themes of identity and cultural heritage, the story follows a documentary filmmaker who forms a bond with Jiri, an elderly Czech Jew and former head of the Jewish Museum in Prague. Their mutual admiration for Kafka propels the narrator to travel to Prague, where he embarks on a journey to create a film that delves into Jewish life and its connections to Kafka's legacy. Set against the backdrop of 1992 New York City and Prague, the narrative intertwines personal discovery with historical exploration.

The narrative follows Shmulik Gafni, an Israeli Yiddish professor torn between his obsessive quest for vengeance against his father's killer from the Kielce pogrom and his romantic interest in Malina, a stunning non-Jewish linguist. As he navigates these contrasting desires, the story intertwines themes of love, identity, and the haunting legacy of history, all set against the backdrop of Poland. The novel blends humor and poignancy, exploring the complexities of personal and cultural connections.

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.

Combining humor and drama, this collection features two captivating novellas that transport readers into a whimsical storybook realm. Curt Leviant's unique storytelling creates an enchanting experience, drawing readers into imaginative narratives that blend charm with depth.