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The Shtetl Book: Jewish Horror Stories
The heroes of the book “The Shtetl Book” are residents of the small Jewish town of Yavoritsy, who were faced with formidable otherworldly forces. Daniel Kluger defined the genre of his book as a “novel in stories”, its structure is close to the structure of the famous “Jungle Books” by Rudyard Kipling. At first glance, this definition seems there is no single hero and no single storyline. Only towards the end of the book does the reader begin to understand that such a hero is the entire Jewish community, which has been fighting evil from generation to generation.
Daniel Kluger was born in 1951. Graduating in physics from the University of Simferopol, he worked in the field of medical technology and has several patents to his name.
He published his first story in 1979, while his first historical novel The Cruel Sun was published in 1989.
In 1994 he moved to Israel where he has been working as a freelance journalist.
Awarded with “The Best SF short story prize” by magazine Vokrug Sveta in 1986.
In 2008, Kluger has been awarded a poetry prize “The Olive of Jerusalem” for his cycle “Jewish Ballads”.
Daniel Kluger was born in 1951. Graduating in physics from the University of Simferopol, he worked in the field of medical technology and has several patents to his name.
He published his first story in 1979, while his first historical novel The Cruel Sun was published in 1989.
In 1994 he moved to Israel where he has been working as a freelance journalist.
Awarded with “The Best SF short story prize” by magazine Vokrug Sveta in 1986.
In 2008, Kluger has been awarded a poetry prize “The Olive of Jerusalem” for his cycle “Jewish Ballads”.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2024
About the author
Daniel Kluger
21 booksDaniel Kluger was an Israeli writer in science fiction and detective genres. He wrote in Russian.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 14, 2024
I read this book as a non-religious person that is very interested in religious studies (especially the Jewish faith and culture) and I really really enjoyed reading this book!
The horror stories in here are unique, haunting, and refreshing, the horror genre can easily start to blend together, but this book really stands out.
Really recommend this book!
The horror stories in here are unique, haunting, and refreshing, the horror genre can easily start to blend together, but this book really stands out.
Really recommend this book!
May 9, 2025
Interesting
I have never read a "Jewish" horror book before even though I am familiar with some of its folklore. I found the stories interesting but this is no Stephen King equivalent. Nevertheless if this is your bag, go for it!
I have never read a "Jewish" horror book before even though I am familiar with some of its folklore. I found the stories interesting but this is no Stephen King equivalent. Nevertheless if this is your bag, go for it!
November 12, 2025
This is a great little folk horror collection set in a shtetl in Ukraine. It’s not necessarily keep-you-awake-at-night terrifying, but there are some decently creepy ghost and demon themed stories here (e.g. Lilith makes at least a couple appearances).
The only thing I have against it is that there are way too many typos for a published book; not the worst I’ve ever seen from a self-pub, but not great. That aside, if the author were to publish another collection of short horror stories, I’d probably read it.
The only thing I have against it is that there are way too many typos for a published book; not the worst I’ve ever seen from a self-pub, but not great. That aside, if the author were to publish another collection of short horror stories, I’d probably read it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews