The Shadows of Berlin: The Berlin Stories of Dovid Bergelson

by Dovid Bergelson, Joachim Neugroschel (Translator)

Shadows of Berlin is, in part, a bleak chronicle of life in Europe growing ever more hostile at the edge of World War II, part mythic parable. Bergelson’s stories—passionate, honest, dark and often hilarious—hint at the possibility of redemption even as they suggest a horror just around the corner.Dovid Bergelson (1884–1952) is considered to be one of the best Soviet Yiddish writers of the twentieth century. He was executed in 1952 as part of Stalin’s purge of Soviet Yiddish culture.Joachim Neugroschel is the winner of three PEN Translation Awards and the French-American Translation Prize. His translations include works by Franz Kafka, Marcel Proust and Thomas Mann.

Genres: Fiction, Jewish, Germany

120 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Dovid Bergelson (12 August 1884 – 12 August 1952) was a Yiddish language writer. Ukrainian-born, he lived for a time in Berlin, Germany. He moved back to the Soviet Union when Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany. He was ultimately executed during an antisemitic campaign against "rootless cosmopolitans".

Bergelson is best remembered for his moody, Yiddish fiction set in turn-of-the-century Europe. In a series of novels and short stories, Bergelson explores the social and psychological worlds of European Jews: his early work deplores the loss of commitment in the shtetl, or village, while his later work promotes the possibilities of Communism.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories was the first book I purchased at City Lights in San Francisco. A true treasure to add to my personal library! Melancholic Yiddish tales, yes. Hopeful sentiment, no. Just knowing what historically lies ahead for Eastern Europe between the two World Wars and how Bergelson was murdered by Stalin's regime on The Night of the Murdered Poets adds to the ever graying mood of The Berlin Stories.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only Hitler and Stalin had an appreciation for Yiddish literature. Seriously.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most interesting thing about this book, IMO, was the history of the author. David Bergelson lived in Berlin during the 1920's. During that time it was a place of exile for Yiddish intellectuals. He eventually returned to Russia thinking that Yiddish culture would thrive in the communist state. Unfortunately, Stalin had other ideas. Bergelson was killed in 1952. This collection of short stories are pretty dark, but clever and layered. Not for the casual reader, but if you have an interest in Jewish history or the problems faced by emigrants, or Soviet-Jewish literature, a great read.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Among Refugees" is truly stunning, with one of the most devastating endings to a short story that I've ever read. The rest of the stories don't quite live up to that standard, but The Shadows Of Berlin is still a strong portrait of alienation and restlessness in a Europe caught between the world wars. Tragically, Bergelson couldn't have known what was to come.

[lifeisjustablurblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read ‘Among Refugees’

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK. Interesting series of stories assembled from the world of Berlin between the wars through the eyes of a Jewish exile from the Ukraine, a very popular writer in Yiddish at the time. Particularly liked the fat frau in the first story and the self-described Jewish terrorist who struggles to assasinate the 'pogromist' who moves in across the hall in his boarding house.
Joseph Roth's book of Berlin stories makes an interesting contrast.