Like Never Before

by Ehud Havazelet

A stirring portrait exploring the intersections of three generations of an Othodox Jewish family.

David Birnbaum is a middle-aged man at the crossroads--of youth and old age, of Othodox Judaism and assimilation, of the well-worn past and an uncertain future. He is also at the dramatic center of this sensative, often funny chronicle of three generations of a family straining to hold together in the face of changing cultures and shifting fortunes.

Throughout this extraordinary book, David struggles with the mixed loyalties he has felt since childhood and that continue to haunt his present and future. Capturing the hopes and conflicts of a Jewish family, from its most assimilated to its most Orthodox members, Like Never Before exudes on every page a poignancy and truthfulness that will print themselves indelibly on readers' minds.

Genres: Short Stories, Judaica, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

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.