Title: The letters of Menakhem-Mendl and Sheyne-Sheyndl ; and, Motl, the cantor's son /
Authors: Sholem Aleichem, 1859-1916; Halkin, Hillel, 1939-; Sholem Aleichem, 1859-1916.
Publisher: Yale University Press,
Year: 2002
Subjects: Sholem Aleichem, Translations into English.
Abstract: New translations of two comic novels by the pre-eminent Yiddish writer Sholem Aleichem. 'The Letters of Menakhem-Mendl and Sheyne-Sheyndl' portrays a tumultuous marriage through letters exchanged between the title character, an itinerant bumbler seeking his fortune in the cities of Russia before departing alone for the New World, and his scolding wife, who becomes increasingly fearful, jealous, and mystified. 'Motl, the Cantor's Son' is the first-person narrative of a mischievous and keenly observant boy who emigrates with his family from Russia to America. The final third of the story takes place in New York, making this Sholem Aleichem's only major work to be set in the United States.