Tevye Stories

The People and the Books is an interesting collection about Jewish writers. I briefly comment on it here. One writer covered is the author of stories that influenced the Fiddler on the Roof. I found a free paperback copy of a collection of his writings (The Tevye Stories and Others), translated by Julius and Frances Butwin. Helpful introduction provided.

Tevyre is a bit of a fool (always with confused religious verses) but overall an appealing character in various ways. For instance, he wants to make his daughters happy, even if they have ideas not like his own. (The one thing he won't accept is a daughter marrying a non-Jew). He also has a balanced fatalistic view. But, the work is not some light affair. His life -- especially in the last story that for some reason is not included -- has a lot of suffering.

The last story's plot is alluded to in the introduction, but again, is not found here. Why? Also, he speaks more than once of seven daughters, but we only hear stories about five. The other stories are a mixture, some with a sort of "shaggy dog" flavor to them where the plot isn't quite the point. Originally in Yiddish, the translation is smooth; glossary of terms provided.