The Seventh Beggar

by Pearl Abraham

A modern-day young man becomes obsessed with the life and teachings of the legendary nineteenth-century Chasidic master Nachman of Bratslava, a kabbalist, storyteller, and charismatic spiritual leader who developed a cult following, in a novel intertwined with a translation of Nachman's Yiddish tales, including his "Tales of the Seven Beggars." 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Fiction, Literature, Novels, Literary Fiction, Judaism, Family, Jewish

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Pearl Abraham is the author of the novels The Romance Reader and Giving Up America, and the editor of the Dutch anthology Een Sterke Vrouw: Jewish Heroines in Literature. Her work has appeared in Brooklyn Noir, The Michigan Quarterly, Religion in America, Dog Culture: Writers on the Character of Canines, and Forward.

Reviews

[Emer Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story of Joel and the unique, intensely religious world in which it was set. This part of the book is the most compelling as a narrative. I got a real glimpse into the passion and dedication of the Chassidim Scholars. Joel and his family come to life on the pages and defy any stereotypes or cliches. I was genuinely moved by the outcome. I had to readjust reluctantly half way through the book when the novel shifts entirely out of this world and into the world of his nephew who is a college student in MIT. The Seventh Beggar becomes a book of parallel ideas rather than a story. Embedded in this part of the book are folk tales and a wonderful short story about Joel's sister's wedding day. I longed to go back to the family setting and find out more about these fascinating characters. However, Pearl Abraham is such a good writer I would follow her narrative musings and investigations to the ends of the earth. She has a rare gift for writing about the mystical with great clarity. Fascinating, unpredictable, and thought provoking.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even with a slightly disappointing not-with-a-bang-but-a-whimper ending, I'm REALLY enjoying everything by Pearl Abraham. She's miss-your-bus-stop good.

[Michael Lewyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book is about a young Hasid's bizarre experiments with mysticism, which eventually lead to his mysterious (though clearly accidental) death in a flood. Although Abraham's grasp of Breslov Hasidism may not be 100% accurate (at least according to another reviewer) I nevertheless found this part of the book to be highly entertaining. I found the second half of the book to be much more confusing.

[Michael Alan Grapin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surreal tale combining ancient Kabbalah with modern day ultra orthodox Jewish society in New York and a student studying artificial intelligence at MIT. It is at times confusing to differentiate what the author intended as dream like fantasy within the day to day ritualistic life in Monsey in this multi generational story.

[Lily Kosner · Rating 2 out of 5]

The experimental and mystical elements didn’t work for me.

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book... I'll have to read it again later after I learn more about the Jewish religion and Jewish traditions

[Ayelet Waldman]

I adored her first novel, and this one left me a little confused. I’m not so much into the whole mysticism thing. But she’s a terrific writer.

[Ona Kiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. A quirky, mystical, strangely-layered story revolving around a folk tale that itself is strangely-layered.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

eons better than The Romance Reader or Coming Up America, and for a very different audience.

magic.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

about Hasidic Jews. From reading this book, I assigned myself the daily task of reading Psalms. An interesting exercise.

[Kathy Kattenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant novel about Jewish mysticism, and the universality of storytelling.

[sanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Im reading it now..no opinion so far

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite book from this author !!!