Reviews

In the Land of Happy Tears: Yiddish Tales for Modern Times: Collected and Edited by David Stromberg by

the_herbal_carnivore's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars - full interesting little tales. Some were humorous, some didn't make sense, and some we wished were longer

bookish_dreaming's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

miss_alaina's review against another edition

4.0

Interesting collection. There were some stories I really enjoyed. There were also a lot that ended rather abruptly and left me wanting more, which was disappointing. Overall, though, this is a great collection, and I especially enjoyed learning more about the Yiddish language.

directorpurry's review against another edition

4.0

An exploration of Yiddish folktales and the Yiddish language, full of translated stories. Each section highlights an important Jewish value.

Something to think about in these strange political times.

wmmcnamara's review against another edition

This is a delightful collection of never-before translated Yiddish tales from the early and mid twentieth century, offering the reader a powerful glimpse into the culture and values of Eastern European Jewish communities prior to the Second World War. I especially enjoyed the last few tales, particularly Jacob Reisfeder’s deeply moving “A Treasure in the Snow,” in which the prophet Elijah appears to a poor family as an old, starving man who blesses them with the eponymous treasure after they selflessly feed him some dumplings, the only food that they have.