Lauded as the most profound novel of Jewish life ever written by an American, Call It Sleep seamlessly weaves together the searing pains and subtle joys of immigrant life in New York's Lower East Side. It is the story of David Schearl, a dangerously imaginative little boy who arrives from Eastern Europe in 1907. Shock by shock, he is exposed to the blows-and occasional pleasures-of life in the crowded tenements.
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"This book is incredible - I've never read anything like it. I was expecting an immigrant experience story, a sort of "American Tail" rife with descriptions of seders and gefilte fish the way Mama used to make and so forth. This is NOT that. This book is completely original, intensely personal, and very disturbing. Disturbing not because of a specific event (e.g., rape, abuse, etc. - though those things, or at least close relatives of those things, do happen), but because, for the 400 or so pages of the book, you're made to look at the world in such a strange and horrifying way, and this view of the world seems so real, like it couldn't possibly have been invented by some author experimenting with "character" and "style" - meaning that somewhere, out there, there is someone for whom this is real life." — Karen (5 out of 5 stars)
"This book is incredible - I've never read anything like it. I was expecting an immigrant experience story, a sort of "American Tail" rife with descriptions of seders and gefilte fish the way Mama used to make and so forth. This is NOT that. This book is completely original, intensely personal, and very disturbing. Disturbing not because of a specific event (e.g., rape, abuse, etc. - though those things, or at least close relatives of those things, do happen), but because, for the 400 or so pages of the book, you're made to look at the world in such a strange and horrifying way, and this view of the world seems so real, like it couldn't possibly have been invented by some author experimenting with "character" and "style" - meaning that somewhere, out there, there is someone for whom this is real life."
" Sensitive little Jewish boy's perspective. Slow and insightful. "
" It's a hard read. The main character (your proxy) is just sort of battered and scared and scarred throughout the whole book. But maybe that's the immigrant experience? We hear a lot about the old Jewish Lower East Side, but I don't think I've ever really considered with the intimacy that Roth affords here. "
" A haunting story of childhood trauma and depression. Roth succeeds in recreating what it's like growing up and not always understanding everything we witness. Also vividly portrays life in New York as an immigrant. "
" This book has become my stock answer to the question "What is your favorite book?" It's very beautiful; the prose is dense, dark, internal, and terribly modernist. And extremely affecting. "
" Possibly the most major of allvthe minor contemporary 'masterpieces' "
" defining great fiction is beyond me... i know it when i read it. this book fits that bill for me. it is a useful reference scale for me that helps me enjoy other great reads in my life. that is what good books do. "
" I couldn't get through it. Hate the prose style. "
" I can't even remember why I loved this book so much but I did. Great, simple story with enormous depth and meaning. "
" All the beauty of Joyce with none of his pretension, accessible and poetic, spiritual and religious. By far my most intense reading experience. "
" Wonderful. If you have the time to dedicate to this novel, you will be rewarded. "
" reminded me of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn but more heavy-weight. Beautiful. "
" Re-reading -- for the nintieth time. "
" deeply moving, evocative, emotional. a profound experience. "
" It was a little bit too much "I want to be James Joyce but in New York" for me. "
" It took me a little to long to finish it but I think it's a great book. "
" An immigration story of a Jewish East European boy. New York City's Lower East Side in the early 1900's. This book was first published in 1934 and it was a little dense for casual reading, but a classic "coming of age" story set in a particular period in New York. "
" Amazing book. Starts out a little slow but once you get into it you can't put it down. "
" A bit too long in my opinion but really comes together in the final section. Definitely a classic and a must-read for anyone with immigrant heritage. The happy parts reminded me of stories my grandfather told of his childhood. Also describes physical abuse and rape. "
" A book that was out of publication for many years, it's a poignant document of childhood and immigrant life in the slums of NY in the early 20th century. "
" A truly honest portrayal of early 20th century Jewish Immigrant life in New York seen through the eyes of a 6-8 year old boy. "
Henry Roth (1906–1995), European-born American novelist and short-story writer, was the author of Call It Sleep, Mercy of a Rude Stream, and An American Type.
George Guidall, winner of more than eighty AudioFile Earphones Awards, has won three of the prestigious Audie Award for Excellence in Audiobook Narration. In 2014 the Audio Publishers Association presented him with the Special Achievement Award for lifetime achievement/ During his thirty-year recording career he has recorded over 1,700 audiobooks, won multiple awards, been a mentor to many narrators, and shown by example the potential of fine storytelling. His forty-year acting career includes starring roles on Broadway, an Obie Award for best performance off Broadway, and frequent television appearances.
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