Songs for the Butcher's Daughter

Wonderful first novel, talented writer

I thoroughly enjoyed this first novel by Peter Manseau (author of non0fictional work "Vows"). The research that went into this must have been extensive. I enjoyed Manseau's style of writing and character development. It received rave reviews at my recent book club meeting, I would highly recommend!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

fun read, but not qualify literature. Characters are stereotypes, and situations unbelievable, at best.

Novel is about a Christian translator of Yiddish material. One of the Yiddish writers has a memoir that intrigues the translator.
Translator weaves his translation issues with the facts of the Yiddish writer. Some great descriptive scenes of a print shop and NY for immigrants...not as good in painting pictures of characters. My book club liked the book more than I did.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read for all fascinated by Yiddishkeit

Fiction often provides a better feel for and understanding of history than do historical tomes. Peter Manceau's masterful book traces the journey of Itsik Malpesh from the shtetl to contemporary America with incredible flair. Chagall painted his recollections of his childhood home town, Vitebst. Manceau's canvas is the written word and is just as powerful as the paint brush, maybe even more so. I was sweating reading his depiction of the program during which little Itsik was born. His journey to America, the love story, the agonies all exude a Yiddishkeit not felt since Issac B. Singer. You may ask, how did a gentle develop such an understanding of the language and culture? A must read for those fascinated by our old-world culture and the journey to the new world of contemporary America.

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