The Resurrector

by Moshe Mikanovsky

Can someone be brought back from the dead? Could it change the life of the living?

The Levi family is in their darkest hour. The sudden death of Nir, the middle child, launches a dark journey filled with moments of light and hope. An estranged father and son, a loving older brother, and a religiously devout but sad younger sister, are threaded together by family ties, in a religious enclave in Israel and the greater unknown. The traditions of Judaism, grief, loss, and mysticism come to life through their eyes.

At the Jewish week-long mourning period—the shiva, a mysterious stranger arrives and sets into motion a series of events that are both tangible and otherworldly. It is a journey to discover the bonds that have both broken and healed this family. It is up to the reader to decide what power the Resurrector has, but one thing is certain—it is important to heal relationships with loved ones before it is too late.

267 pages, Paperback

Published January 16, 2022

Reviews

[Rachel Saffer-Spiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this powerful book in one day, on Shabbat. So captivating and real...I couldn't put it down.. I feel like one of the deeper messages is that we are own resurrectors of our own lives if we are willing to really look at our mistakes and change our ways. I cried at least 2 times during the book and got swept into following the light through the darkness...not knowing where the story would take me ....and the ending was such a surprise too and satisfying and deeply thought-provoking and powerfully spiritual. Bravo Moshe. You have written an important piece of literature. The characters and the suffering all felt so real and believable..I was so engrossed in their world....their thoughts and relationships, wow. Highly recommended reading for sure. Not a light book for sure with all the sadness and complexity of relationships, family, religion, parent, child etc. but meaningful and transformational . I highly recommend this novel.

[Darlene Golbitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing debut novel immediately plunged me into a contemporary Israeli house of mourning. The phrases were so beautifully descriptive..I felt like I was immersed in this atmosphere of religious traditions, factions, and variables. Grieving for the loss of a young man was expressed through the eyes and memories of his entire family and community. Being able to connect, rectify the past, and identify the barriers to relationships added both a spiritual and mystical quality to the story. Perfect ending!

[Ari F]

This book draws many compelling lines between fascinating topics (mortality, love, philosophy, control, relationships) in an expert way. The characters are relatable and sympathetic and I found myself pulled into the descriptions of the "dream-states" as if they were my own. Moshe writes confidently but also with a delicateness not common from first-time authors.

And despite it feeling predictable at some points I was not expecting the ending he wrote. It was a smart way to keep me thinking about it even after I'd finished

[Pearl Saban · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a compelling read! I really didn't want to put the book down. Moshe Mikanovsky writes a story that makes one think about how life ends and whether we can bring loved ones back from the grave in order to change their endings.
When the Levi family is broken apart by the sudden death of their son and brother, they have to deal with this new reality. Their patriarch continues to feel every emotion -- grief, anger, anguish, pain, confusion -- as he works through the week of shiva. And with the help of a mysterious stranger, he slowly comes to a better understanding of those people whom he has lost and the loved ones who remain.
With his very descriptive writing, Mikanovsky creates a story that transcends time and place.

[Miriam Citron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful first novel by Mikanofsky. I read it in one ‘sitting’ and couldn’t put it down. The story has mystical qualities that effortlessly encourages the reader to explore the idea of life after death, redemption and forgiveness.

[Heidi Slowinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Levi family is sitting shiva – the Jewish tradition of observing a week-long period of mourning. The family has been shattered by the death of the middle son, Nir. The loss brings back together a father, elder son, and daughter whose relationships have been damaged following the loss of the children’s mother. The appearance of a mysterious stranger sets off a series of events reforming and healing family bonds.

Mikanovsky creates a narrative that is part mystery and part study in inter-personal relationships. The story is written with a beautiful sensitivity as we meet a cast of empathetic characters. The family portrayed is very relatable. The reader can easily see elements of their own family, and indeed, themselves in this story.

The themes of loss and the importance of healing relationships are well presented in this quickly paced story. Without offering spoilers, the ending comes full circle in a satisfying way. I look forward to reading more from Mikanovsky.

I’d like to thank the author for the free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

[Gil Broza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I was intrigued by the concept. A father is estranged from his son; the son passes away, and is somehow brought back into his father's living reality; what would happen? This question alone would make for an interesting story, and it's made even more so, being set against the conflicted and complex backdrop of modern Israeli society. The book flows well and is very easy to read.

[Tal · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! this book captivated me right from the start and led me through an intriguing story. the writing is thoughtful and well spoken. the ending is incredible and i’ll probably be thinking about it for a while. abba, well done <3

[Melissa F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book! Engaging characters in a well paced story about family, loss, regret and spirituality....with dash of mystery and mysticism to tie it all together. The insight into a different culture and the surprise ending were a bonus. Great read!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy, entertaining read. The book really comes together on the final page.

[Cheryl Sokoloff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Resurrector, is Moshe Mikanovsky’s debut novel about a family dealing with grief after the tragic loss of Nir, son to Chaim Levi, and brother to Ram and Millie. Although loss is always tragic, the loss of Nir is especially tragic for Chaim, because, he threw Nir out of their home (2 years earlier), and so, their “situation” ends without them ever reaching a resolution.

This is a very, very difficult and emotional situation to write about (as one can easily appreciate). IMO, Moshe Mikanovsky has done a great job!

[Avi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book! A great story written with so much detail, containing plot twists and surprises. This emotional book highlights the importance of family and reminds us to take advantage of the time we have together. I loved the ending of the book most of all, everything comes full circle.
So proud of Moshe Mikanovsky on his first book!

[Ricardo Rapaport · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm usually a very slow reader, but this book was an exception. I got totally addicted and I couldn't stop reading it. It was over in less than a week, leaving me with that taste of "I want more". Mikanovsky's ability to describe the scenes and the characters in so much detail makes you literally part of that world. You do feel you've know Chaim and his family for a long time and you go through the book events WITH them.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Juvenile writing with a meandering plot. The book drags on and on. Another example of the dross that one finds in the self-published domain.