Like Never Before

by Ehud Havazelet

A collection of thematically linked short stories presents the story of a young boy forced to make a terrible choice between his own life and that of his brother in the face of Nazi occupation and the tale of a woman who discovers that a murder occurred across the street from her New York apartment

Genres: Short Stories, Judaica, Historical Fiction

268 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Havazalet was born in Jerusalem, Israel. His father, Meir Havazalet, a rabbi and professor at Yeshiva University emigrated to the United States in 1957. He graduated from Columbia University in 1977, and received an M.F.A at the University of Iowa Writers Workshop in 1984. He became a Jones Lecturer at Stanford University, from 1985 to 1989, and a Wallace Stegner Fellow. He taught creative writing at Oregon State University from 1989 to 1999. Since 1999, he has taught creative writing at the University of Oregon.

Reviews

[sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not care for the first two stories but loved the rest so keep reading!

[Christopher Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mostly unknown author, Ehud Havazelet, writes stories that can't be forgotten. Following the Birnbaum family, and David Birnbaum in large part, this collection centers on the incomprehensible, but undeniable universal conflict between fathers and sons. In it, pain, sorrow, and joy. In it, the willingness to forgive. Recommended to everyone, the stories are almost all written in parts (1, 2, 3...) but climaxes with the powerful "Ruth's Story" which begins with the very beautiful and true: "In a waiting room, you wait."

Highly recommended.

-C

[Olivier Lepetit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very good short stories in this book, seen from the eyes of different members of a Jewish family in America. The writing is excellent, but uneven. A mildly pleasant surprise, although quite depressing.

[SmarterLilac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous novel helped me understand modern American Jewish identity.

[David Hirning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great stories by my old Stanford creative writing instructor!

[b bb bbbb bbbbbbbb]

this was a recommendation from somewhere. tried to read it, but the writing was too bland.

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very moving and well-written short stories. I liked how each story gave a glimpse of the family from a different view-point and time. It was a nice twist on a collection of short stories.