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Gimpel the Fool Audiobook
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(4.00) - 837 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Widely considered one of Isaac Bashevis Singer's most notable works of short fiction, "Gimpel the Fool" was originally written in Yiddish. It was later translated into English by Saul Bellow and appeared in the 1953 edition of Partisan Review. The story, a parable, tells of a foolish, unlucky baker named Gimpel, who is constantly tricked and heckled by other villagers. His follies ultimately reveal a moral lesson.
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"I read all the "Chelm" stories as a child, and found them absolutely delightful. The stories of the not-too-bright but well-meaning residents of the town of Chelm give a wonderful insight into Jewish life in small towns before the War. Highly recommended."
— Jennifer (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Sparkling and triumphant, Isaac Bashevis Singer’s stories are filled with wonder, gratitude, humor, irony, and a wry eroticism that manages to exalt the pleasures of the flesh and the soul at the same time.”
— Washington Post Book World, praise for the author -
“Singer is a genius. He has total command of his imagined world.”
— New Republic, praise for the author
Gimpel the Fool Listener Reviews
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" This book is a surprise read. I recommend it to anyone. "
— Sharon, 2/8/2014 -
" i liked it so much i named my dog after the author. "
— gretl, 1/23/2014 -
" Singer writes in various stories about the concept of a town or a family being taken over by the devil, by evil. Indeed one of these stories, "The Gentleman from Cracow," seems virtually identical to "Satan in Goray," which I read a few years back. Somehow this externalization of evil feels wrong to me, or at least unhelpful. No one is really responsible for anything: the devil made me do it. Writing just a few years after the war and the holocaust, could Singer really see things in these terms? Of course the depiction of small-town Jewish life in Poland has plenty of charm. "
— Jgknobler, 1/15/2014 -
" I read this many years ago while living on a kibbutz in Israel. He is a great story teller and I learned a lot about Jewish folklore, the Kabul, and eastern Europe during that time period.It's a quick read. "
— Patty, 1/9/2014 -
" Another classic. A must read as well "
— Oana, 11/15/2013 -
" such a fantastic storyteller. i'm reading this book for the second time in my life, and still i find so much new and thrilling in it. "
— Josh, 10/17/2013 -
" Love Singer! His stories are a wonderful blend of magic, mysticism and a rich tapestry of Yiddish culture. I relish all of his stories. "
— Jenelle, 10/12/2013 -
" A story of a simple man who everyone thinks is a fool, but he proves them all wrong. Moving story. "
— Carrie, 7/8/2013 -
" I wish I could read this in the original Yiddish. I've got a feeling it would be even better. "
— Nina, 6/23/2013 -
" Absolutely adored this! I adore Singer's writing! There was one story that I wasn't overly fond of but every single other one was fantastic. Talent just flows from each of the books I've read by Singer so far. I can't wait to read more! "
— Eva, 6/12/2013 -
" moderately misogynistic; still enjoyable. "
— rachel, 12/18/2012 -
" 10 stars!!! "
— Pete, 11/12/2012 -
" Singer is just a great storyteller...these stories haven't aged much because they take place in some unknown time full of she-demons and dybbuks, where Satan is always trying to get you. "
— Amy, 10/14/2012 -
" Enjoyable read. Singer is a great story teller, but he lacks the artistry of his translator. His shorts are good, and in some ways they remind me of Babel, though the author is not as efficient with his words. "
— Matthew, 8/30/2012 -
" Wonderful story telling by a master. "
— Patrick\, 6/2/2012 -
" I very much like the story of Gimpel the Fool. Singer's other stories I didn't read until much later. "
— Andrew, 10/31/2011 -
" at first look, his stuff is harsh. but the more you read and think on it - it is really interesting. jewish mysticism, culture, etc. very revealing. "
— Dlynn, 7/12/2011 -
" Listened to this on audio by Bikel. Good stories from a point of view I would not normally have experienced. "
— Mark, 6/22/2011 -
" a book i read that i associate with depression. it was self indulgent for me, i felt like a fool for being a fool. there was no way out of my body and it was cursed. maybe i'd find peace in my sleep. "
— marcin, 5/25/2011 -
" I really like Isaac Singer, but these short stories largely missed for me. I think they were a little too mystical. The two I enjoyed the most were, "By the Light of Memorial Candles," and "The Old Man," both of which were very good. "
— Riley, 2/16/2011 -
" I've never read anything by Isaac Singer that I did not like. His writings take us to another world, another time, another culture and makes it come to life. I am always glad to have spent that time with him there. "
— Karin, 1/29/2011 -
" Forgot how good Singer can be, last story is annoying though "
— David, 1/2/2011 -
" Everything he writes is a wonder -- he could not invent these characters -- they are all around us if only we can see as he has seen. "
— Lisago5, 11/29/2010 -
" “No doubt the world is entirely an imaginary world, but it is only once removed from the true world.” "
— Valissa, 11/2/2010 -
" Listened to this on audio by Bikel. Good stories from a point of view I would not normally have experienced. "
— Mark, 6/2/2010 -
" Another classic. A must read as well "
— Oana, 4/1/2010 -
" Absolutely adored this! I adore Singer's writing! There was one story that I wasn't overly fond of but every single other one was fantastic. Talent just flows from each of the books I've read by Singer so far. I can't wait to read more! "
— ?Eva?, 11/2/2009 -
" Everything he writes is a wonder -- he could not invent these characters -- they are all around us if only we can see as he has seen. "
— Lisago5, 9/15/2009 -
" Forgot how good Singer can be, last story is annoying though "
— David, 6/8/2009 -
" I very much like the story of Gimpel the Fool. Singer's other stories I didn't read until much later. "
— Andrew, 4/14/2009 -
" at first look, his stuff is harsh. but the more you read and think on it - it is really interesting. jewish mysticism, culture, etc. very revealing. "
— Dlynn, 12/3/2008 -
" I wish I could read this in the original Yiddish. I've got a feeling it would be even better. "
— Nina, 10/20/2008 -
" Love Singer! His stories are a wonderful blend of magic, mysticism and a rich tapestry of Yiddish culture. I relish all of his stories. "
— Jenelle, 5/20/2008 -
" Wonderful story telling by a master. "
— Patrick\, 4/13/2008
About Isaac Bashevis Singer
Colleen Delany has been a sparkling jewel in the crown of Washington’s vastly talented acting community for thirty-seven days now and will confidently challenge to a fierce best out of three in “paper-rock-scissors” anyone wishing to topple her from that lofty perch. Primarily a stage actress,—having played roles at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Folger Shakespeare Library, Studio Theatre, Olney Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, Theater J, Washington Stage Guild, Theater of the First Amendment, and Source Theatre, among others—Ms. Delany does a you-name-it of various acting jobs, including audiobook narration.
About Theodore Bikel
Theodore Bikel (1924–2015) was an award-winning stage and screen actor, an activist for civil rights and progressive causes worldwide, and a singer whose voice won him critical acclaim. Some of his credits include The Defiant Ones, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, and Fiddler on the Roof.