The Bubbe Meise and Other Stories

by Aaron Zevy

Bubbe Meise: Noun- A grandmother's fable. An "old wives' tale". An Untrue story. Sometimes related to superstition. Often, an Aaron Zevy short story.

Aaron Zevy is at it again with a new collection of amusing tales about his life with his friends, both real and imagined, and family. "The Bubbe Meise and other stories" continues Zevy's trademark approach to storytelling, which blurs the lines of fact and fiction.

With a tip of the hat to David Sedaris's self-awareness and Etgar Keret's meta-fiction, but with a unique voice very much his own, Zevy reminds us not to let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Don't try to figure out what is real and what is not just sit back and enjoy!

Praise for Almost The Truth: Stories and Lies ...

"...A series of hilarious stories... in an easy going style which is both polished and seemingly improvised."
-Kirkus Reviews

"It's entertaining, it's funny, it's culturally revealing, and it's steeped in the unexpected... uniformly one of the more creative, satisfying reads of 2020."
-Midwest Reviews

"To read Zevy is not only to get lost in his often hilarious and unexpected tales, but to be given a front row seat on the nature and art of storytelling itself. His inimitable voice is hilariously self-deprecating, vivid, and splashed with surprising moments of intimacy."
-Jules Lewis, author of "Waiting for Ricky Tantrum" (Dundurn Press, 2010).

Genres: Short Stories

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2020

Reviews

[Ellen Krueger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun stories I wish I’d written.

This book had me chuckling from the start. There was a lot of Jewish culture, written in an almost innocent voice. I knew these characters and how they reacted to the wold. Relatable fun, even if you aren’t a member of the tribe.

[The Original Shopgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zevy is at it again with his interesting characters and his kookie adventures. Once again fact or fiction...we don't know and we don't care. We are being entertained. We are brought into Zevy's real world and also his made-up world. We are in his head and we laugh-out-loud at some of his adventures and his thoughts. We can relate. He is likable. He is unique and cool. He is one of us.

Loved this book as I did his previous one. And can't wait for his next one. He's a Canadian comedic storytelling treasure.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a cute short book to get me out of a reading slump and this little book of humorous short stories fit the bill.

You don’t have to be Jewish to get some of the humorous situations, if you have Jewish friends you would recognize some of the Jewish angst of unmarried or childless couples and the superstitious nature of meaningful old friends and realitives. If none of these fit you, read it anyway. We all have a friend or two that mirrors Levy’s friends

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stopped 30% of the way through. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve ever not finished a book.
The stories seem like they’d be cute in person. But they seemed worn just like that, with very little editing. I stopped when I was completely unable to follow a story and realized that I really didn’t care.

[P. Tamber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories that had me laughing. Aaron's style of writing take you on a journey where you think your going one way, and then he completes takes a left turn and all you can do is laugh at the ridiculousness of it all! Case in point "I'm Not Goldfarb", you can't help but chuckle as your turn each page. Great read, would 10/10 recommend!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed my way through the Kindle version of this book! I found it on the Amazon unlimited list while I was looking for a travel book, and I'm certainly glad I didn't scroll past. If you're in the mood to read someone's memoirs in short, hilarious chunks, try this book.

[Helene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of stories a few amusing

[Deborah Letow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is easy reading and very funny. Free on Kindle. Short stories .

[Anita R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very light and entertaining short story book. The author describes many funny situations and stories. It’s hard to tell if the stories are fictitious or, they actually happened.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious set of stories. You read one and unexpectedly laugh out loud. It's a pattern which repeats with Zevy books.

[Jason Keddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a good chuckle with these stories, good stuff.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book of short stories that my friend urged me to read, the characters are so funny and sweet.

[BartlebytheTA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just been introduced to this author’s work and this is a great book.

[Renée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny stories in this book, I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good story whether you are Jewish or not.

[Simone DB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of short fiction, I will seek out more of Aaron Zevy’s books. You will laugh and cry reading about the lives of the characters in this collection.

[Hayden Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story from Zevy. Makes you feel as if you're there too and extremely relatable. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who wants a laugh

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a funny collection of short stories. Perfect light read, I look forward to more from the author!!

[Fernreich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funniest short stories I have ever read. Pure enjoyment to counter a world of so much stress.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read, and thoroughly enjoyed, Zevy’s first collection, I knew that the title and book cover were both ironic and tongue in cheek and that I was more likely to encounter Larry David-like tales of mishaps and misunderstandings rather than stories in the Shalom Aleichem vein. I was not disappointed!
Zevy is a storyteller and raconteur. His stories weave and sometime take a circuitous and scenic route before arriving at their tidy and, more often than not, very amusing ending.
I was left wanting more - and I am looking forward to reading Zevy's other collecetions!