David Bergelson

Joseph Sherman

A happy balance between text and context... everything from a close reading of his works to an examination of the literary, historical and cultural context in which those works were produced. This book is, in effect, more than the examination of the works of one author. -- Three Percent Three Percent Once more the Legenda imprint brings us an exemplary collection of essays on Yiddish literature... A magisterial study of exceptional factual richness which will remain a major source-work on this topic for years to come. -- Modern Language Review Modern Language Review Bergelson was arrested early in 1949 and executed in August 1952. His work has largely fallen into oblivion... There is thus all the more reason to welcome this collection of essays. It includes a biographical study by [Joseph] Sherman and essays by various people on different aspects of Bergelson's fiction, among them a fascinating account of conflicts with Abe Cahan, editor of Forverts. -- Times Literary Supplement Times Literary Supplement The editors have done a remarkable job collecting essays that finally put Bergelson on the map of literary and historical scholarship. This is the necessary first step in assuring that the contribution made by this important Yiddish writer to the development of world's literature does not remain unnoticed. -- H-Judaic H-Judaic

• 1. David Bergelson (1884–1952): A Biography 2. Memories of My Father: The Early Years (1918–1934) 3. Language and Style in Nokh alemen (1913): Bergelson's Debt to Flaubert 4. For Children and Adults Alike: Reading Bergelson's 'Children's Stories' (1914–1919) as Narratives of Identity Formation 5. Yoysef Shor (1922): Between Two Worlds 6. In Search of Readership: Bergelson among the Refugees (1928) 7. Narrating the Revolution: From 'Tsugvintn' (1922) to Mides-hadin (1929) 8. Uneasy Patronage: Bergelson's Years at Forverts (1922–1926) 9. David Bergelson in and on America (1929–1949) 10. Why I am in Favour of Birobidzhan': Bergelson's Fateful Decision (1932) 11. Memory and Monument in Baym Dnyepr (1932–1940) 12. From Mourning to Vengeance: Bergelson's Holocaust Journalism (1941–1945) 13. Du lebst, mayn folk': Bergelson's Play Prints Ruveni in Historical Context (1944–1947) 14. Jewish Nationalism' in Bergelson's Last Book (1947) 15. A Bibliography of David Bergelson's Works in Yiddish and English