What do you think?
Rate this book
Christina Rosenthal
Taken from Jeffrey Archer's second collection of short stories, A Twist in the Tale, comes Christina Rosenthal, an irresistible, witty and ingenious short read.
Benjamin's childhood dream was to win the mile in the West Mount High School championships, but his attempts were peppered with taunts about his very traditional Jewish upbringing. And he is besotted with Christina - even though she is seemingly a key perpetrator of the slander. Told through a series of poignant letters written by Benjamin to his estranged father the rabbi, this is a tender, heart-wrenching and ultimately devastating tale of first love - and final promises.
Benjamin's childhood dream was to win the mile in the West Mount High School championships, but his attempts were peppered with taunts about his very traditional Jewish upbringing. And he is besotted with Christina - even though she is seemingly a key perpetrator of the slander. Told through a series of poignant letters written by Benjamin to his estranged father the rabbi, this is a tender, heart-wrenching and ultimately devastating tale of first love - and final promises.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2011
78 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Archer
659 books12.5k followersJeffrey is published in 114 countries and more than 47 languages, with more than 750,000 5* reviews with international sales passing 275 million copies.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 18, 2018
A short story from the year of short stories by Jeffrey Archer.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I must admit it made me cry.
A story of love that surpasses many trials met upon their way to finally be together.
Very well written story. Recommended.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I must admit it made me cry.
A story of love that surpasses many trials met upon their way to finally be together.
Very well written story. Recommended.
March 8, 2015
Every time I read, it makes me feel how stupid humans can be,and how deep racial problems still are.
September 15, 2022
This one was touching!
It has a twist, but this is something different that Archer has written or maybe I have never read.
Loved this.
It has a twist, but this is something different that Archer has written or maybe I have never read.
Loved this.
January 2, 2018
A moving love story ...
December 15, 2018
Poignant love story
March 17, 2018
A few weeks ago I discovered the single edition short stories by Jeffrey Archer published in the series A Year of Short Stories and read half of them by now and must say they are great. I don't always agree with the ethical point in them but have to admit they are wonderfully told and include often some surprises. So far this is my favorite (and I'm aware I've already written it a time or two reviewing the previous stories).
Despite some typos and word errors this was a 5* book for me.
It's difficult to explain why without spoilers so here some of the reasons:
- interesting form (story told in a letter a father's reading from his son) and beautiful style
- likeble characters with interesting development
- emotionally moving
Despite some typos and word errors this was a 5* book for me.
It's difficult to explain why without spoilers so here some of the reasons:
- interesting form (story told in a letter a father's reading from his son) and beautiful style
- likeble characters with interesting development
- emotionally moving
April 26, 2018
I just loved this story of love. I've read quite a few of Jeffry's short stories and this, by far, is amongst the best till now. Such a huge mountain of emotions and a portrayal of the whole life of a person in just a few pages is simply amazing. It's doesn't go amiss anywhere. Definitely worth a read and worth the love.
March 10, 2023
My heart is heavy after reading this
January 23, 2018
It was simply a masterpiece and joyride full of emotional experience
It was really a joyride of various emotions. True masterpice. Really enjoyed the potrayal of relationships among many characters of family.
It was really a joyride of various emotions. True masterpice. Really enjoyed the potrayal of relationships among many characters of family.
August 17, 2019
Jeffery Archer is certainly a great story teller.
This short story has every emotion. No word can explain the anguish of the Rabbi, Benjamin, Christina. Thanks for making this book free.
This short story has every emotion. No word can explain the anguish of the Rabbi, Benjamin, Christina. Thanks for making this book free.
March 31, 2018
A captivating love story that only Archer can pen.
The unusual style of telling a story has always been a mark of Jeffrey Archer. He never disappoints you. A good read through and through.
The unusual style of telling a story has always been a mark of Jeffrey Archer. He never disappoints you. A good read through and through.
December 24, 2017
No words for this masterpiece !!
January 10, 2018
A beautiful tale of love.
It is indeed a beautiful tale of love which surpasses racial bitternesses and prejudices.A little predictive towards end.Had a good time reading it though.
It is indeed a beautiful tale of love which surpasses racial bitternesses and prejudices.A little predictive towards end.Had a good time reading it though.
January 29, 2018
Loved this short story. As with all Archer tales, well written, brilliant characters, lovely love story.
October 1, 2023
3.5 stars
This was just so heartbreaking and it didn't say a lot of words but it managed to convey all the sadness with the few it did.
This was just so heartbreaking and it didn't say a lot of words but it managed to convey all the sadness with the few it did.
July 6, 2018
The most heart touching letter ever from a son to his father conveying a beautiful message of love and sacrifice.
A must read.!
A must read.!
July 21, 2018
such a light hearted read, which kindles your teenage memories or perhaps your love for your most loved ones.Have given me a liking for love stories.Truly recommend.
May 14, 2018
This story just broke my heart. What a moving and emotional story. I can’t believe such a short story can pack such a punch but it really does. I read this book in the time it took me to drink a mug of tea, it is that short.
A brilliant read that everyone should consider reading and completely free on kindle. I haven’t stopped thinking about this story since I finished it 4 hours ago. It really will get under your skin.
A brilliant read that everyone should consider reading and completely free on kindle. I haven’t stopped thinking about this story since I finished it 4 hours ago. It really will get under your skin.
November 20, 2017
I had read complete novels by JA long time back and I didn't know what to expect when I picked up his short stories. Now all I can say is WOW! Like Christina Rosenthal. The short tale is just around 20 odd pages long but it moves you to tears. Loved it!
December 3, 2017
Great story!! Must read!!
Beautiful flow and emotion. Matched only by Kane and Abel. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it.
Beautiful flow and emotion. Matched only by Kane and Abel. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it.
January 25, 2018
Nice short story.
February 23, 2018
A very ordinary, simple story and predictable narrated in an extraordinary manner.
March 22, 2018
Did not see that coming at all!
May 28, 2018
Kind of story which never ends.
March 15, 2021
This book was a bit of a surprise. I expected the usual kind of Jeffrey Archer book in which glamorous but uncaring people push the limits of the law. Instead, I got a sad but oddly-framed Canadian-Jewish love story.
It is another very short book, just a short story really, as is hinted by the “Year of Short Stories” label on the cover image. I downloaded this book when the whole series was offered free as ebooks from Amazon, but now that I look back they are nowhere to be found. I can only assume that this is because they are now combined into one or more (paid) anthologies rather than being available as individual titles.
The book tells two stories, one of a stiff and principled rabbi, and the other of his lovelorn son, Benjamin. The story of the rabbi is an “outer” story, used as a device to frame the “inner” story, told as the lengthy text of a letter from his son. The outer story is written in third person, and shows a glimpse of the feelings of the father as he reads the letter. The inner story is written in first person, and also somewhat annoyingly all in italics, and gives a summary of the struggles and misfortunes of the son. The thrust of the inner story is the love of the son for one girl, later a woman, Christina, who he first encounters while he is in the middle of a race at college. It’s not quite love at first sight, but their relationship develops over the course of the story, despite the many setbacks. Alongside the love story we watch the son’s progress through life as he gains scholarships and prestige jobs, but through it all he thinks of Christina.
The book has a strong sense of foreboding throughout, in part because of some of the comments in the outer story, so it came as no surprise when things went from bad to worse for Benjamin. What caught me out was the subtle way that Archer dealt with the father’s emotions as he read the letter from his son. This is such a long way from the typical slick Archer characters that it all came as quite a shock.
On the whole I liked the book, and I would have scored it higher if it wasn’t for the annoying use of italics for most of the book. It would have been much better for me to have set the much shorter outer story in italics, and the bulk of the book which comprises the inner story in the regular typeface.
It is another very short book, just a short story really, as is hinted by the “Year of Short Stories” label on the cover image. I downloaded this book when the whole series was offered free as ebooks from Amazon, but now that I look back they are nowhere to be found. I can only assume that this is because they are now combined into one or more (paid) anthologies rather than being available as individual titles.
The book tells two stories, one of a stiff and principled rabbi, and the other of his lovelorn son, Benjamin. The story of the rabbi is an “outer” story, used as a device to frame the “inner” story, told as the lengthy text of a letter from his son. The outer story is written in third person, and shows a glimpse of the feelings of the father as he reads the letter. The inner story is written in first person, and also somewhat annoyingly all in italics, and gives a summary of the struggles and misfortunes of the son. The thrust of the inner story is the love of the son for one girl, later a woman, Christina, who he first encounters while he is in the middle of a race at college. It’s not quite love at first sight, but their relationship develops over the course of the story, despite the many setbacks. Alongside the love story we watch the son’s progress through life as he gains scholarships and prestige jobs, but through it all he thinks of Christina.
The book has a strong sense of foreboding throughout, in part because of some of the comments in the outer story, so it came as no surprise when things went from bad to worse for Benjamin. What caught me out was the subtle way that Archer dealt with the father’s emotions as he read the letter from his son. This is such a long way from the typical slick Archer characters that it all came as quite a shock.
On the whole I liked the book, and I would have scored it higher if it wasn’t for the annoying use of italics for most of the book. It would have been much better for me to have set the much shorter outer story in italics, and the bulk of the book which comprises the inner story in the regular typeface.
December 31, 2025
What can I say? This is the best story I have ever read.
I first read it about 30 years ago. It was part of the Twist In The Tale anthology. I had taken a friend of mine to football trials or training in a nearby village and I waited for him in the car and I read this.
I don't want to give any spoilers but I cried my heart out. I wept buckets and buckets and buckets. The framing of the story with the Rabbi reading the letter is perfect and adds even more gravitas to the events depicted therein. The first person narrative is perfect and adds even more emotional punch. The pacing is spot on and you are completely sold on the contents of the letter.
I later bought the audio cassette for my mum, read by Nigel Havers, but I practically wore it out by listening to it so much - the man exudes emotion as he relates the devastatingly heart-breaking story.
Years later, when I first met my wife, I read her this story and for a reason I won't divulge (that would be a spoiler), she too burst into tears and she doesn't shed tears easily.
This is a masterpiece. A work of art. My dissertation title was Charles Dickens And The Human Capacity To Feel. I would like to think that Mr Dickens himself would be moved by this superb short story.
I first read it about 30 years ago. It was part of the Twist In The Tale anthology. I had taken a friend of mine to football trials or training in a nearby village and I waited for him in the car and I read this.
I don't want to give any spoilers but I cried my heart out. I wept buckets and buckets and buckets. The framing of the story with the Rabbi reading the letter is perfect and adds even more gravitas to the events depicted therein. The first person narrative is perfect and adds even more emotional punch. The pacing is spot on and you are completely sold on the contents of the letter.
I later bought the audio cassette for my mum, read by Nigel Havers, but I practically wore it out by listening to it so much - the man exudes emotion as he relates the devastatingly heart-breaking story.
Years later, when I first met my wife, I read her this story and for a reason I won't divulge (that would be a spoiler), she too burst into tears and she doesn't shed tears easily.
This is a masterpiece. A work of art. My dissertation title was Charles Dickens And The Human Capacity To Feel. I would like to think that Mr Dickens himself would be moved by this superb short story.
April 29, 2020
I don't do book reviews........ I read the book and if I liked it I give it up to 5 stars, if I didn't then it gets a 2, if I didn't finish then it's a 1, that's it I'm afraid.
I read it, I like it, I want more from the author.
I don't write reviews that describe the content of the book as I don't see the point of telling everyone the storyline, plot or subject as I feel it spoils the book if you already know what it's about or what's going to happen.
As with a vast number of Kindle books there might be the odd spelling and punctuation errors.
After reading hundreds of Kindle books of all types and subjects you get use to them and they become less noticeable, unless there is an effect on the storyline.
The more these errors effect the reading of the book the less stars I give it even if the story is a good one.
Some of the books I read have been gifted to me by its author for review and my reviews and ratings are not biased in anyway.
I read it, I like it, I want more from the author.
I don't write reviews that describe the content of the book as I don't see the point of telling everyone the storyline, plot or subject as I feel it spoils the book if you already know what it's about or what's going to happen.
As with a vast number of Kindle books there might be the odd spelling and punctuation errors.
After reading hundreds of Kindle books of all types and subjects you get use to them and they become less noticeable, unless there is an effect on the storyline.
The more these errors effect the reading of the book the less stars I give it even if the story is a good one.
Some of the books I read have been gifted to me by its author for review and my reviews and ratings are not biased in anyway.
December 21, 2020
A tale of forbidden love, and tragic romance as detailed in a letter from a Canadian born Jewish son to his Jewish Rabbi father of his love for a girl of German descent whose parents forbid her to marry a Jew. Ignoring the prejudices of their parents, Benjamin Rosenthal and Christina Goldblatz find a way to have a relationship between themselves.
March 17, 2019
Outstanding...must read!
It's such an inspirational story that demands people to overcome their narrow beliefs and serve the humanity only. The world surely needs love and no segmentation based on some orthodox thoughts.
It's such an inspirational story that demands people to overcome their narrow beliefs and serve the humanity only. The world surely needs love and no segmentation based on some orthodox thoughts.
July 27, 2018
A love story one didn't expect to happen, that happened, then didn't, then happened again... And an ending that is quite moving. Characters with flaws, not perfection. It was a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews