The Far Euphrates

by Aryeh Lev Stollman

In translucent prose, Aryeh Lev Stollman has created a stunning portrait of the coming of age of a young man's soul. Through the story of a lonely boy, The Far Euphrates questions how we can find meaning in a post-Holocaust world; how we define the notions of home and family; where the boundaries lie between sanity, madness, and transcendence; and what our responsibilities are to ourselves and to one another. Infused with a rich mystical and scientific understanding, it poignantly addresses the insatiable human longing to know and reclaim our origins, the mythic far Euphrates of Eden, to which we can never return.

Genres: Fiction, Jewish, Novels, Gay, Literature, Queer, LGBT

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. The topic sounded interesting -- coming of age, set in Canada right across from Detroit, a rabbi's family, Holocaust survivors, musings on the role of religion. But even though the elements were there and the writing had the feeling of poetry, it never really came together for me. I never really understood the concerns that the narrator's mother expressed about him, I found the descriptions of the Holocaust experiments depressing but almost beside the point, and I never quite empathized with these characters. Maybe the right book at the wrong moment or maybe just a not quite ready for prime time debut.

[Márcio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultimamente tenho lido um bocado de livros que refletem situações e questões referentes ao anti-semitismo e que causaram o Shoah (השואה), o holocausto judeu na segunda guerra mundial. O Distante Eufrates também trata dessas quesõtes e seus reflexos na vida de um grupo de pessoas de origem judaica em uma comunidade da cidade de Windsor (Ontario) no Canadá, provavelmente na década de 1980.

A história narra fatos da vida de Aryeh Alexander entre os 7 aos 17/18 anos, filho de um rabino e de uma mãe que teme por sua saúde mental (em razão de casos de saúde mental na família), e de seu crescimento pessoal e intelectual. Mas também da descoberta de sua sexualidade de uma forma sem traumas, embora em um período problemático em que optou por se recolher em seu quarto, para desespero de sua mãe.

É um livro sobre a descoberta de si, mas também do enfrentamento dos horrores do mundo, da procura de tentar conciliar a vida com a morte e com a mostruosidade praticada pelos seres humanos uns contra os outros e em muitos casos, utilizando o poder do Estado para massacrar, arrebentar, matar outros seres. Entre as monstruosidades, há as consequências dos experimentos médicos praticados pelo monstro nazista chamado Joseph Mengele, que infelizmente viveu no Brasil. Monstro, monstro, monstro 😡😡😡

No entanto, somente mais ao final somos confrontados com essas questões. Até então, o livro flue de forma que vamos nos familiarizando e criando simpatia com os seus personagens. É um livro tocante, embora a escrita por vezes aparentemente distante e seca de Stollman possa indicar o contrário.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is set in my hometown, and it's obvious the author grew up here, too. I kept hoping the story would get better, that something would be revealed that be gripping.
I thought the character development of Alex's mother, in particular, fell short and impacted the depth of the story leaving it a bit shallow.
No a bad read, but not a great read either.

[Matthew Eisenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

The Far Euphrates is a very honest portrayal of a young man growing up under circumstances that are psychologically complex. The young man---the narrator of the story---is very accessible, despite displaying exceptional intellect and perception. It's a very subtle and deliberately moving story, but there are moments that make you chuckle, moments that surprise you, and moments that make you want to cry. And at its core, Far Euphrates addresses serious questions about what defines a life of quality, about who can live such a life, and how.

Far Euphrates is not a book that everyone will enjoy. But it's a book that I enjoyed greatly. A pensive and worthwhile read.

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed living inside this for a bit. dated

[Stefanie]

Excellent book. Cried at the end. References to medical experiments at Auschwitz were horrific.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a feeling that I read this slim, luminous novel some 20 years ago & didn't really "get" it; may not even have finished it then. This time, though, I treasured ever chapter.

[nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written book that never really finds its footing. The prose is simultaneously poetic and philosophical, but the story never really got going.

The descriptions of mystical experience & awareness are stunning. Stollman’s ability to describe the uncanny serenity of certain moments of profound insight are gorgeous, as is his ability to weave Kabbalistic concepts with reflections on modern physics, interpersonal trauma, and Jewish history.

But I’m left wanting & expecting more from this novel. There’s so much that isn’t explored, things noted in passing that the author seemingly wants to be important, but are not given attention or weight that make them meaningful beyond the moment of their occurrence in the narrative.

Alexander’s burgeoning homoerotic desire. The revelation of Hannalore’s history at her death. The reasons that Sarah is so bothered by her son’s affect. Whatever the heck is going on with Marla Cook.

I love the pallor of mystery in the novel and how it elevates the mundane into the level of the spiritual, but it still feels a little underdeveloped.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did like this book but as a previous person had said, I had wanted to like it more. I had wanted some key element to make a major impact on me. The end sort of crept up on me and I felt that there was more room to explore a topic that had barely been mentioned throughout the novel. I did glean a very important quote which I will keep for my personal records. P. 43: Alexander, I like to get my coordinates exactly right. It's human nature to seek out patterns wherever they may present themselves...This seeking after patterns is nothing more than man's natural yearning to know God. It underlies every pursuit of knowledge."

[Laura Boudreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading a series of so-so books over the past month, I was thrilled to come across this gem, donated to our synagogue and in my pile to review for our library. OMG. This was a mind-blowing book, with intense characters who became their own selves, and a shocking secret revealed at the end. I loved every minute of it. A must-read.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

An odd and oddly compelling book. I like a short read, slow-paced, and this certainly filled the bill. It was hard for me to identify with the protagonist, though, as he goes through a period of seclusion and isolation at a young age and is hardly out of it when the story ends. I hesitate to recommend this book, but I do believe that many folks would truly enjoy it. Give it a try.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four stars belong to the first chapter or so. Very captivating and inviting. The remainder of the book only gets three. Interesting, but not quite living up to the fourth star and its early promise.

[Steven Volk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual and disturbing book. Painful in some ways to read about this lonely, disturbed boy and young man; even more painful to come to understand what tragedies lay behind his story.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

All my books are boxed up after our move. In need of a good read, I popped open a random box and
found this treasure. It is an ARC from 1997 and I'm glad it rose to the top, like cream.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing, mystical, beautiful. Deserves a deep reading.

[Dr. Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep and thoughtful

A young boys journey of the soul; a deep and thoughtful book. It will stay with me for a long long time.

[Mike Augustine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be both odd and haunting. It reads like a recorded memoir with generational trauma at its heart. I can’t say I enjoyed it.

[Laurie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well done. But not for everyone.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet book - don't think I've ever said that before about a book. A boy, only child growing up in small town Canada, father a Rabbi, mother a sometime teacher. Isolated kid who prefers to be that way. His parents are also isolated (tho father is always busy as a Rabbi is) but with only two closse friends, a married couple, husband a talented Cantor and composer. The Cantor's twin sister also plays an important role in the life of the boy and his family. The twins are - we gradually learn - Holocaust survivors (remember the experiments done on twins?) The Holocaust and its impact on the lives of the characters is always subtly but significantly present in this story. Never heard of this author or book - picked it up in a wonderful used book store in Livingston, Mt. Worth reading.

[Andy Oram · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a dual appeal to people interested in the role of religion (especially Judaism, of course) in leading a good life and those interested in the role of religious history and text in creating an inner life. Ethics and mysticism play equal roles. It's easy to find flaws in the plot, but there's something vibrant at the core of the book that makes it satisfying to me. You certainly can't call the book predictable, and to be fresh it has to take some risky turns.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I always read before bed and it kept me up late thinking about this young persons life. The book kept my attention throughout. I enjoyed his writing style and it was interesting to read how this young boy interpreted his relationship with his parents and friends. I believe Aryeh could have written a longer book about his life growing up. Maybe he will write another one about his University years and beyond.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pulled this out of a box after moving, searching for anything due to the recent closure of a public library in my area. It turned out to be a really interesting book. Powerful dialogue and honesty made this book so enjoyable. It was vulnerable, moving, and quite emotional. Finally steering away from the drugstore selections.

[Dan Robinson]

This book was personally recommended to me this evening and reading the review here on goodreads that included the line, "...the unpleasant feeling that even loving words are dangerous." I feel compelled to add it to my list!

[Deborah R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know anything about the author or book before I picked it up to read. It's a very good book. It's haunting. It's easy to read but has some profound themes involving friendship, family, coming of age, the Holocaust, parental love, etc. I'd recommend it.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.
Well it took me probably a good 2/3 until I got into this book. But it really means something to me. It's about love, kindness, and pain. The kind so great you don't talk about it. Beautiful subtle book.

[Ted Beckmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one right after 'Bad Haircut', and preferred both the storytelling and writing style of Stollman. The characters are outstanding and the air of nostalgia is nicely tempered with a clear-eyed account of family dynamics.

[Nathan Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short but interesting read. It helped me to better understand the experience of children of survivors.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so cannot remember this book at all -- just that I read it as part of a "Holocaust in Literature" course in undergrad.

[Daughters Of Abraham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Post World War II/Holocaust childhood of a Jewish boy in Canada, told with Biblical and Kabalistic language and imagery. It’s about understanding life and death, intellect and finally faith.

[Pavarti Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and evocative