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After Anatevka: A Novel Inspired by Fiddler on the Roof by Sheldon Harnick, Alexandra Silber
sjgrodsky's review against another edition
1.0
Interesting idea. We do want to know what happened to Tevye and Golde and all the other characters when they came to America.
But this book doesn't answer that question. First, it is about Hodel and Perchik, who were arrested and exiled to Siberia. Second, although I quit about page 20, and so don't know what fate the author invented, the story told in those 20 pages didn't motivate me to read further so I could find out.
Maybe someone else could have made this concept work. But the author isn't a storyteller. She is an actress who played Hodel.
Big difference.
But this book doesn't answer that question. First, it is about Hodel and Perchik, who were arrested and exiled to Siberia. Second, although I quit about page 20, and so don't know what fate the author invented, the story told in those 20 pages didn't motivate me to read further so I could find out.
Maybe someone else could have made this concept work. But the author isn't a storyteller. She is an actress who played Hodel.
Big difference.
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure what to say about AFTER ANATEVKA. I've never read Sholom Aleichem's books, on which Fiddler on the Roof, the movie, is based, but the film is one of my all-time favorites. I first saw it as a child and, even then, it spoke deeply to my soul. Although the story is sad, it's filled with warmth, humor, faith, and hope. Stellar performances by the cast make you really FEEL for the characters and for the horrific suffering of the Jews in that time period and beyond.
As an actor steeped in the theatrical world of Fiddler on the Roof, I assumed Silbert felt its magic in the same way I did and would want to continue the story with the same balance of humor, horror, and hope shown in the movie. Not so. AFTER ANATEVKA is almost relentlessly dark and depressing. Hodel and Perchik weren't my favorite characters in the movie - although Silber gives them both sympathetic back stories, they're still not super interesting story people. This is complicated by the fact that they don't really DO anything in the novel beyond endure their suffering. While this is realistic and admirable in real life, it makes for dull fiction. Without a strong plot to keep the story focused, it wanders around, which is exactly what happened to my attention, especially in the middle of the tale. Silber's prose is skilled enough, but as far as character development, plot structure, and overall novel-shaping, AFTER ANATEVKA needs a lot of work. It was compelling enough to keep me reading to the end, true, but I had to force myself to keep with it and my first thought after closing the book was, "What was the point of THAT?"
In comparing Fiddler on the Roof and AFTER ANATEVKA, I've realized that Tevye is the heart of the former. I would have much rather read his continuing story than Hodel's. And, truthfully, I love the movie so much that there's probably no sequel, film or print, that would really please me!
As an actor steeped in the theatrical world of Fiddler on the Roof, I assumed Silbert felt its magic in the same way I did and would want to continue the story with the same balance of humor, horror, and hope shown in the movie. Not so. AFTER ANATEVKA is almost relentlessly dark and depressing. Hodel and Perchik weren't my favorite characters in the movie - although Silber gives them both sympathetic back stories, they're still not super interesting story people. This is complicated by the fact that they don't really DO anything in the novel beyond endure their suffering. While this is realistic and admirable in real life, it makes for dull fiction. Without a strong plot to keep the story focused, it wanders around, which is exactly what happened to my attention, especially in the middle of the tale. Silber's prose is skilled enough, but as far as character development, plot structure, and overall novel-shaping, AFTER ANATEVKA needs a lot of work. It was compelling enough to keep me reading to the end, true, but I had to force myself to keep with it and my first thought after closing the book was, "What was the point of THAT?"
In comparing Fiddler on the Roof and AFTER ANATEVKA, I've realized that Tevye is the heart of the former. I would have much rather read his continuing story than Hodel's. And, truthfully, I love the movie so much that there's probably no sequel, film or print, that would really please me!
awingard's review
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
If I hadn’t known of Fiddler on the Roof and just read this book I would have even less of a clue as to what is going on. What year is it? Where are we? Why are we here? The first section went on forever, I thought that I too might die in that prison. Some events felt so forced, as if they happened just to make the theme present in the book so an “inclusion” check box could be marked (incest, same sex relationship, rape). I never could figure out why Perchik was so important to the revolution. That storyline (which was a major part) wasn’t fully explained. The ending wrapped up in a “James Bond wanna be scene” that felt incredibly out of place and added to my confusion. Waaaay too many times while reading this book, and for days afterwards, I said out loud “what is going on?!”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Incest
meganlawler13's review against another edition
5.0
After Anatevka is the best, most beautiful book I have read all year.
I had the privilege of meeting Alexandra Silber when she played Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof. The production was beautiful, and it cemented my love of the musical even more. I don't remember exactly when I found out that Silber would be releasing this book - probably through a Playbill article I came across on Facebook - but my first instinct was to go to Amazon and pre-order the Kindle edition. I then forgot about the release of the book for about 8 or 9 months, until I got an e-mail from Amazon saying that the book had been delivered to my device.
I read a third of the book on a beach and then finished it gradually, as I did not want to spoil the experience of reading this wonderful book for the first time by reading at lightning speed. I took my time and savored the descriptions, the flashbacks that I could envision so clearly, and the overall plot. Along the way, I met and fell in love with new characters while adding to the story I already love so.
Even if you have never seen Fiddler on the Roof, listened to a cast recording, or watched the movie, Silber provides enough backstory that there really are no prerequisites for reading. You will not feel lost for a moment. Fans of the production will enjoy the flashbacks, providing new insights into the characters we have previously fallen in love with on stage.
By the time I got to the last page, tears were streaming down my face. I promise that this book will evoke many emotions from all who read it.
I had the privilege of meeting Alexandra Silber when she played Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof. The production was beautiful, and it cemented my love of the musical even more. I don't remember exactly when I found out that Silber would be releasing this book - probably through a Playbill article I came across on Facebook - but my first instinct was to go to Amazon and pre-order the Kindle edition. I then forgot about the release of the book for about 8 or 9 months, until I got an e-mail from Amazon saying that the book had been delivered to my device.
I read a third of the book on a beach and then finished it gradually, as I did not want to spoil the experience of reading this wonderful book for the first time by reading at lightning speed. I took my time and savored the descriptions, the flashbacks that I could envision so clearly, and the overall plot. Along the way, I met and fell in love with new characters while adding to the story I already love so.
Even if you have never seen Fiddler on the Roof, listened to a cast recording, or watched the movie, Silber provides enough backstory that there really are no prerequisites for reading. You will not feel lost for a moment. Fans of the production will enjoy the flashbacks, providing new insights into the characters we have previously fallen in love with on stage.
By the time I got to the last page, tears were streaming down my face. I promise that this book will evoke many emotions from all who read it.
diannel_04's review against another edition
I started this book but couldn't finish it. The part I read was completely dedicated to Hodel being locked up and interrogated, this went on for about 75 pages and she was no closer to getting to Perchek. I got bored.
tzurriz's review
3.0
I wasn't impressed. I wanted to love this, but found it painful and depressing.
anna_rv's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kristiestevens's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
michaeldmcclain's review
3.0
I was extremely excited to read this follow-up to Fiddler on the Roof but I was a little disappointed by certain aspects. The best moments come when Alexandra Silber explores unseen moments back in Anatevka (the morning of Tzeitel's wedding, the relationships between each of Tevye's daughters). There's historical context for the turbulent time that the Russian Empire was experiencing in the early 20th century but, and I don't know if it was just me, I felt like I was missing a few key points of information. But I also plead my own ignorance in the Russian history department.
Credit should absolutely be given to Silber for her ability to create the atmosphere of a place few of us have ever traveled to. We sense the desperation, destitution and horror of the Siberian work camps. We sense the warmth and honor of the little village of Anatevka. She ruminates beautifully on the Jewish traditions and the concepts of faith and endurance. All in all, After Anatevka is a clever idea and a valiant effort from a promising new voice.
Credit should absolutely be given to Silber for her ability to create the atmosphere of a place few of us have ever traveled to. We sense the desperation, destitution and horror of the Siberian work camps. We sense the warmth and honor of the little village of Anatevka. She ruminates beautifully on the Jewish traditions and the concepts of faith and endurance. All in all, After Anatevka is a clever idea and a valiant effort from a promising new voice.
aljstl's review
3.0
Disappointed that it took until the last 50-100 pages for there to feel like a true story. I enjoyed Silber's writing style and had no trouble getting through the pages, but couldn't help the underwhelming feeling that just as the 'real' story began it was already over. I think part of my disappointment resides in the fact that there was more character building (which I loved to learn more about the characters' pasts) than actual events that happened after both characters left Anatevka. Maybe I'm getting too hung up on the (ill fitting) title.