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A review by siria
The Zelmenyaners: A Family Saga by Moyshe Kulbak
3.5
A slyly funny satirical family saga (in scope if not in length) about the Zelmenyaners, several generations of an extended Jewish family living in Minsk in the early days of the Soviet era. Various family members (re)act towards Jewish assimilation, the imposition of Communist doctrine, and electrification, as well as various interpersonal dramas.
After I finished this book, I learned it had begun as a serialised newspaper column, which makes a lot of the structure (or lack thereof) make much more sense. This is more a series of vignettes than it is a book, and none of the characters are much more than rapid pencil sketches. There are some very funny observations/one liners, but this didn't quite click for me as a whole.
After I finished this book, I learned it had begun as a serialised newspaper column, which makes a lot of the structure (or lack thereof) make much more sense. This is more a series of vignettes than it is a book, and none of the characters are much more than rapid pencil sketches. There are some very funny observations/one liners, but this didn't quite click for me as a whole.