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The Knife of Never Letting Go
“The Knife of Never Letting Go” is the harrowing tale of the 951 days twenty-eight members of the Ben-Zvi family lived underground in a labyrinth of two magical caves at the height of the Nazi invasion of Western Ukraine during WWII and the holocaust. The eldest Ben-Zvi son, Levi, risks everything to save his neighbor’s daughter, Isla, the day of the Nazi invasion. Based on a true story of endurance spent underground during the height of the holocaust, “The Knife of Never Letting Go” is the ultimate tale of survival, defiance, loss, and the human endeavor to survive at any cost.
420 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2021
6 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Jéanpaul Ferro
43 books47 followersAn 10-time Pushcart Prize nominee, Jéanpaul Ferro’s work has appeared on National Public Radio, Contemporary American Voices, Columbia Review, Emerson Review, Connecticut Review, Portland Monthly, Arts & Understanding Magazine, The Providence Journal, Saltsburg Review, Hawaii Review, and others. He is the author of All The Good Promises (Plowman Press, 1994), Becoming X (BlazeVox Books, 2008), You Know Too Much About Flying Saucers (Thumbscrew Press, 2009), Hemispheres (Maverick Duck Press, 2009) Essendo Morti – Being Dead (Goldfish Press, 2009), nominated for the 2010 Griffin Prize in Poetry; and Jazz (Honest Publishing, 2011), nominated for both the 2012 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Prize and the 2012 Griffin Prize in Poetry. He was born and raised in Scituate, Rhode Island.
THE DEVIL AND THE BLACKSMITH: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Blacksmi...
THE DEVIL AND THE BLACKSMITH, Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/MEGwnZ_oD3o?si=fgC1i...
THE DEVIL AND THE BLACKSMITH: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Blacksmi...
THE DEVIL AND THE BLACKSMITH, Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/MEGwnZ_oD3o?si=fgC1i...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 1, 2022
I loved the ominous setting of this novel in WWII Ukraine. The descriptions of the caves the family hid in is breathtaking. The love story of the young man and young woman is real, honest, and what happens to her family is like something right out of Schindler's List. One can't compare this novel to another book. It's more like a movie. And one thing happens after another so that it feels more like a 200 page novel than a 400 page book. Definitely going on my five star shelf. ;)
January 2, 2022
I’m a bit wrecked. I had to lie down after finishing. Sublime writing. The caves in the narrative are both frightening and magical. The story reminds me of Nechama Tec's 1993 book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans which they made a movie out of starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber. I think The Knife of letting Go has more action and character development. And even in warfare the Ukraine has never been so beautifully described. I felt like I was taken away in a fantastical dream. Yeah.
January 1, 2022
Gut-wrenching. Stories like this really happened. Action from start to finish. :)
January 24, 2023
The intrinsic appeal of this damn novel is so addicting. Here's my route lately:
I drink a little absinthe in the morning. Do some chores. And then I go back and read some of The Knife of Never Letting Go. Then I go on the elliptical, do some sit-ups, have a little more absinthe, and then go back and read this damn book another couple of chapters. Then I go out and get some Chinese food in the evening. Sing a little karaoke with my friends: "Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother; You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive." I drink a little more absinthe. And you guessed it. Back to reading more of The Knife of Never Letting Go while I'm sitting back in the car before I go home. Why is this book so damn addicting?
I go to work and find myself reading this novel again and again under my desk with a flashlight. I know I got a problem. But this book is so damn good!!! Levi and Isla's love for each other is the kind of romance everyone dreams of. This story made me love them!
I drink a little absinthe in the morning. Do some chores. And then I go back and read some of The Knife of Never Letting Go. Then I go on the elliptical, do some sit-ups, have a little more absinthe, and then go back and read this damn book another couple of chapters. Then I go out and get some Chinese food in the evening. Sing a little karaoke with my friends: "Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother; You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive." I drink a little more absinthe. And you guessed it. Back to reading more of The Knife of Never Letting Go while I'm sitting back in the car before I go home. Why is this book so damn addicting?
I go to work and find myself reading this novel again and again under my desk with a flashlight. I know I got a problem. But this book is so damn good!!! Levi and Isla's love for each other is the kind of romance everyone dreams of. This story made me love them!
December 30, 2021
“The Knife of Never Letting Go” is the harrowing tale of the 951 days twenty-eight members of the Ben-Zvi family lived underground in a labyrinth of two magical caves at the height of the Nazi invasion of Western Ukraine during WWII. The eldest Ben-Zvi son, Levi, risks everything to save his neighbor’s daughter Isla the day of the Nazi invasion. Based on a true story of one families' daring survival underground during the holocaust, “The Knife of Never Letting Go” is the ultimate tale of endurance, defiance, loss, and the human endeavor to survive at any cost.
Beautiful read!
Beautiful read!
January 2, 2022
best book i've read this year. i am still gutted.
January 18, 2023
Fantastic journey through the turmoil and darkest days of world-war-ii and the Nazi German invasion of Ukraine. It is incredible how history repeats itself. The narrative of the Ben-Zvi family living in the magical underground caves in Ukraine is incredible. Similar to Doctor Zhivago and Nechama Tec's 1993 book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans ... The Knife of Never Letting Go kept me on edge on up to its incredible last page that is both heartbreaking and uplifting both at the same time. An incredible read from my humble point of view.
January 27, 2023
Five beers! Very good.
January 1, 2022
After reading Jean Paul Ferro's other novel, Torchlight Parade, I also picked The Knife of Never Letting Go up too. Suburb! Like Torchlight Parade it is set during WWII in Ukraine. Germany invades. A young teenage boy saves the "girl next-door," brings her to the secret cave where the rest of his 28 member family is hiding, they sneak out during the nights to scavenge food, witness, the burning of their Ukraine village and see their neighbors killed. And that's just the begining of their odyssey. Highly recommend. Beautifully written also.
January 27, 2023
The writing is gorgeous and not at all what I was expecting. The writing while clear and crisp, has a rhythm and generous beauty that makes the reading almost sumptuous. My only warning for would-be buyers of this book: be patient to get the most from the novel. There are no bad parts to this book. The characters, language, pacing, plot, everything is well done. Chapters often set aside the plot for a while as characters give us their personal anecdotal histories or conversations, but these asides add so much depth to the narrative that they seem integral to the whole story.
This passage excerpted from CHAPTER ONE really cut me through and through:
All of them, everyone in the family, had heard the stories emanating out of Poland and Sudetenland now. It was especially chilling for a young Jewish boy like Levi. It seemed no matter what one may have been before the war once hostilities started if you were a half-Jew or a quarter-Jew or one-eighteenth a Jew you were a Jew in other people’s mind no matter the degree. As he watched the angry tip of the German 6th Army come barreling across the valley he wondered how his family was going to survive, never mind hide under the ground of the deciduous laurel, magnolia, hornbeam, and grassy steppe of the land. The impartiality of life, the fairness in caring about others within the law and boundaries of a fair government, seemed beyond incredulous to him at that point. It seemed to him even at fourteen-years-old that more often than not even fair governments failed most of the populace; the poor and disadvantage most of all. And now war was overtaking the whole of Ukraine? In the pit of his stomach he felt it overwhelmed him like a cancer.
He heard harrowing tales of early snowfall off in Poland. The secret messages came from the last vestiges of aunts and uncles who had tried to escape Soviet rule as they abandoned Shtetls like Lutsk and Shepetivka and flooded over the border in the days leading up to the war. Germany and Russia were in cahoots together as part of the Polish invasion. Soon after came shocking stories of Nazi’s ransacking homes in Warsaw, burning family portraits as they prepared the Jews for total erasure. It was Great Uncle Phillip who wrote the most sublime poetry about bright lemons and women’s thighs that was trussed in chains in Terezín in German held Czechoslovakia after Warsaw fell. Too imagine one of his relatives held in a cage was revolting to a young Jewish lad like Levi. He felt something mythical start to ebb through his veins as he watched the last fine black mist of Pavel disappear off between those tree trunks off in the distance. He knew Pavel was a lucky one. He hadn’t born a Hebrew.
__________________________________
I was in a book club that read this several weeks ago, and I can tell you the only downside to this novel is that we all agreed so well upon it, the conversation lacked any good argument or intensity (although we did understood the novel much better afterwards).
I encourage book groups to read this book as there is so much depth here to explore; I easily created pages of discussion questions and could create so many more if I spent more time with the book. This would also make an excellent book for anyone interested in reading classics. Someday I’m going to read this book again, and I know that I’ll get even more out of it then.
This passage excerpted from CHAPTER ONE really cut me through and through:
All of them, everyone in the family, had heard the stories emanating out of Poland and Sudetenland now. It was especially chilling for a young Jewish boy like Levi. It seemed no matter what one may have been before the war once hostilities started if you were a half-Jew or a quarter-Jew or one-eighteenth a Jew you were a Jew in other people’s mind no matter the degree. As he watched the angry tip of the German 6th Army come barreling across the valley he wondered how his family was going to survive, never mind hide under the ground of the deciduous laurel, magnolia, hornbeam, and grassy steppe of the land. The impartiality of life, the fairness in caring about others within the law and boundaries of a fair government, seemed beyond incredulous to him at that point. It seemed to him even at fourteen-years-old that more often than not even fair governments failed most of the populace; the poor and disadvantage most of all. And now war was overtaking the whole of Ukraine? In the pit of his stomach he felt it overwhelmed him like a cancer.
He heard harrowing tales of early snowfall off in Poland. The secret messages came from the last vestiges of aunts and uncles who had tried to escape Soviet rule as they abandoned Shtetls like Lutsk and Shepetivka and flooded over the border in the days leading up to the war. Germany and Russia were in cahoots together as part of the Polish invasion. Soon after came shocking stories of Nazi’s ransacking homes in Warsaw, burning family portraits as they prepared the Jews for total erasure. It was Great Uncle Phillip who wrote the most sublime poetry about bright lemons and women’s thighs that was trussed in chains in Terezín in German held Czechoslovakia after Warsaw fell. Too imagine one of his relatives held in a cage was revolting to a young Jewish lad like Levi. He felt something mythical start to ebb through his veins as he watched the last fine black mist of Pavel disappear off between those tree trunks off in the distance. He knew Pavel was a lucky one. He hadn’t born a Hebrew.
__________________________________
I was in a book club that read this several weeks ago, and I can tell you the only downside to this novel is that we all agreed so well upon it, the conversation lacked any good argument or intensity (although we did understood the novel much better afterwards).
I encourage book groups to read this book as there is so much depth here to explore; I easily created pages of discussion questions and could create so many more if I spent more time with the book. This would also make an excellent book for anyone interested in reading classics. Someday I’m going to read this book again, and I know that I’ll get even more out of it then.
January 24, 2023
I can't believe the amount of insight this book has given me about the struggles of the Jewish people of Ukraine during WWII! It is so amazing! The trials these people faced, the choices they had to make; even having to move underground into an amazing labyrinth of caves is truly remarkable; and all based on real life events.
I felt all the emotions represented in this narrative: cold, hunger, desperation, empathy, curiosity, brutality, hate, and love, but most of all: fighting back and never giving up!
Superbly written, and deeply moving, the last few pages made me sob out loud.
The Knife of Never Letting Go is a brilliant social commentary of Jewish Ukrainian resistance in the face of sheer brutality. Not unlike what is happening in Ukraine today. Let this novel be an inspiration to the Ukrainian people who have had their share of darkness and cold, dark brutal days.
I felt all the emotions represented in this narrative: cold, hunger, desperation, empathy, curiosity, brutality, hate, and love, but most of all: fighting back and never giving up!
Superbly written, and deeply moving, the last few pages made me sob out loud.
The Knife of Never Letting Go is a brilliant social commentary of Jewish Ukrainian resistance in the face of sheer brutality. Not unlike what is happening in Ukraine today. Let this novel be an inspiration to the Ukrainian people who have had their share of darkness and cold, dark brutal days.
January 18, 2023
The writing is gorgeous and not at all what I was expecting. The plot started to fly by, and I found myself going faster through the writing than I wanted to. I had to really focus on keeping my reading at a steady pace to catch all of the narrative and not skip anything. This is more than a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys war novels. This is a story about family and passion and true love and survival. One learns so much from reading; I've always said fiction is the best medium for speaking truth, and Truth (whatever that means to each one individually) abounds in this book. Enjoy!
January 26, 2023
Beautiful prose. Endearing story. Memorable characters. The first chapter is a rush of adrenalin!
This is a really different novel from what I've read lately. Harkens back to those old lost generation writers. I really like Jeanpaul Ferro's style as a writer as well. Quite poetic, and at times extremely funny. There is a lot of Ukrainian and Russian history in this book too, which I really like. The female characters are also incredibly strong. Can't wait to read something else like this!
This is a really different novel from what I've read lately. Harkens back to those old lost generation writers. I really like Jeanpaul Ferro's style as a writer as well. Quite poetic, and at times extremely funny. There is a lot of Ukrainian and Russian history in this book too, which I really like. The female characters are also incredibly strong. Can't wait to read something else like this!
December 31, 2021
Super moving and beautifully written. The Knife of Never Letting Go is a love story, a family drama, a historical WWII tale, and a roller-coaster ride that few novels can provide. I loved the way it was so cinematic, I could picture it as a movie. And the cast of characters were authentic, real, and like people you might actually know. I thought the ending was extremely moving as well. Very impressed.
January 26, 2023
From the first day I finished writing this novel I could not stop thinking about it. It is such a haunting dreamscape that I'll never be able to forget these characters. It reminds me of a great Broadway play like les miserables. If you want to get lost and escape into an uplifting dream read this novel. It takes place during wartime, but in reality it is almost a bit of magical realism in the epic story of the Ben-Zvi family. And young Levi is my new favorite hero.
January 20, 2023
Love, love, loved!!!! I could not put this book down! Heartbreaking story about an incredible family defies all odds to live underground for more than two years while world war two rages above them. This gave me a jolt of inspiration to learn to live to appreciate every moment. It's the small things that are important. And beauty and solice can be found every where.
January 27, 2023
Historia muy oportuna sobre Ucrania durante los peligros de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Hermosa familia judía que se salva a sí misma y a sus amigos escondiéndose de los alemanes nazis. La historia es casi como un espejo de 2023. Una historia que me persigue, pero hermosa.
Extrusivo! Hermoso final! ¡Amada! Lovely!
Extrusivo! Hermoso final! ¡Amada! Lovely!
April 12, 2023
Todd Hewitt grows up in Prentice Town where there are no women and where you can hear men’s thoughts. He finds Viola in the woods by a space in the noise, and finds that she has crash landed on their planet. Todd and Viola flee downriver away from the men of prentice town and learn that anger and hate are not the only way to live.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2023
I just started this and through the first 6 chapters it is great! I'd almost call it a thriller, because there is so much action and so much happening. Definitely a wild rollercoaster. Can't wait to finish it.
January 24, 2023
Beautiful telling of a tragic story with a magical element to it like something in a Fairy Tale nightmere. Gorgeous ending and a real retelling of the magic and love of family.
January 26, 2023
Gorgeous!
January 28, 2023
This book was one of the most original stories that I've read in a very long time! Unique and interesting, you won't regret reading this one.
January 28, 2023
In the tradition of Hemingway and Dostoevsky ... Jéanpaul Ferro draws on his knowledge of classical sources wisely… Well-paced, engaging and tasteful.
January 28, 2023
Audacious, exhilarating . . . wonderful. This is a thrilling adventure story that has made me laugh and weep.
January 24, 2023
The intrinsic appeal of this damn novel is so addicting. Here's my routine lately:
I drink a little absinthe in the morning. Do some chores. And then I go back and read some of The Knife of Never Letting Go. Then I go on the elliptical, do some sit-ups, have a little more absinthe, and then go back and read this damn book another couple of chapters. Then I go out and get some Chinese food in the evening. Sing a little karaoke with my friends: "Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother; You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive." I drink a little more absinthe. And you guessed it. Back to reading more of The Knife of Never Letting Go while I'm sitting back in the car before I go home. Why is this book so damn addicting?
I go to work and find myself reading this novel again and again under my desk with a flashlight. I know I got a problem. But this book is so damn good!!! Levi and Isla's love for each other is the kind of romance everyone dreams of. This story made me love them!
I drink a little absinthe in the morning. Do some chores. And then I go back and read some of The Knife of Never Letting Go. Then I go on the elliptical, do some sit-ups, have a little more absinthe, and then go back and read this damn book another couple of chapters. Then I go out and get some Chinese food in the evening. Sing a little karaoke with my friends: "Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother; You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive." I drink a little more absinthe. And you guessed it. Back to reading more of The Knife of Never Letting Go while I'm sitting back in the car before I go home. Why is this book so damn addicting?
I go to work and find myself reading this novel again and again under my desk with a flashlight. I know I got a problem. But this book is so damn good!!! Levi and Isla's love for each other is the kind of romance everyone dreams of. This story made me love them!
January 24, 2023
I can't believe the amount of insight this book has given me about the struggles of the Jewish people of Ukraine during WWII! It is so amazing! The trials these people faced, the choices they had to make; even having to move underground into an amazing labyrinth of caves is truly remarkable; and all based on real life events.
I felt all the emotions represented in this narrative: cold, hunger, desperation, empathy, curiosity, brutality, hate, and love, but most of all: fighting back and never giving up!
Superbly written, and deeply moving, the last few pages made me sob out loud.
The Knife of Never Letting Go is a brilliant social commentary of Jewish Ukrainian resistance in the face of sheer brutality. Not unlike what is happening in Ukraine today. Let this novel be an inspiration to the Ukrainian people who have had their share of darkness and cold, dark brutal days.
I felt all the emotions represented in this narrative: cold, hunger, desperation, empathy, curiosity, brutality, hate, and love, but most of all: fighting back and never giving up!
Superbly written, and deeply moving, the last few pages made me sob out loud.
The Knife of Never Letting Go is a brilliant social commentary of Jewish Ukrainian resistance in the face of sheer brutality. Not unlike what is happening in Ukraine today. Let this novel be an inspiration to the Ukrainian people who have had their share of darkness and cold, dark brutal days.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews