Items related to Jakob the Liar
Synopsis
One of the most remarkable novels of the Holocaust ever written, Jakob the Liar is a tale of everyday heroism and the extraordinary power of illusion. Set in an unnamed German-occupied ghetto, the story centers on an unlikely hero, Jakob Heym, who accidentally overhears news of vital importance: the Russians are advancing on a city three hundred miles away. As Jakob's tidings rekindle hope and the promise of liberation, he feels compelled to elaborate. Forming a protective bond with a young orphan girl, Jakob becomes caught in his own web of optimistic lies. Awarded Germany's prestigious Heinrich Mann Prize for fiction and in a new translation by Leila Vennewitz, Jakob the Liar is a masterpiece of Kafkaesque comedy which unfolds with the impact of a timeless folk legend.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
This fable of a Jewish ghetto during World War II is one of the great literary masterworks of the Holocaust. Published in Germany in 1969, it is only now appearing in an authorized English translation. Concerning a former cafe owner who fabricates the story of the Russian army's inexorable advance on the ghetto, and the liberation that will follow their arrival, the tale has the simple power of myths or dreams. A comic tale of unimaginable tragedy, the novel brings vividly to life the doomed inhabitants of the ghetto: Schmidt, the obtuse assimilationist; the child, Lina, who hunts for Jacob's imaginary radio; Frankfurte,r the formerly obese burgher. And Jacob himself, a storyteller whose inventions become like bread to the others, who finds himself trapped in his growing mesh of lies until he is driven to tell the truth. At the end there are two final passages: one in which the Russians arrive to save the ghetto; and one in which they don't. Who is to distinguish between fact and myth?
About the Author
Jurek Becker is one of Germany?s most renowned living writers. A Holocaust survivor, he is one of the few novelists of Jewish heritage living in Germany today. He is also the author of the novels Sleepless Days and Bronstein?s Children.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPlume
- Publication date1999
- ISBN 10 0452281709
- ISBN 13 9780452281707
- BindingPaperback
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages256
- Rating
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Jakob the Liar
Stock Image
Jakob the Liar
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00083348392
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Jakob the Liar
Seller: Gulf Coast Books, Memphis, TN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # 0452281709-3-25051962
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Jakob the Liar
Seller: Orion Tech, Kingwood, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # 0452281709-3-25781204
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Jakob the Liar
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported. Seller Inventory # 0452281709-11-1
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Jakob the Liar
Seller: The Maryland Book Bank, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Used - Very Good. Seller Inventory # 3-PPP-2-0111
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Jakob the Liar
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_425542356
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Jakob the Liar
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_426067907
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Jakob the Liar
Published by
Penguin Publishing Group, 1999
ISBN 10: 0452281709
ISBN 13: 9780452281707
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 5523791-6
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Jakob the Liar
Published by
Penguin Publishing Group, 1999
ISBN 10: 0452281709
ISBN 13: 9780452281707
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 5523791-6
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Jakob the Liar
Published by
Penguin Publishing Group, 1999
ISBN 10: 0452281709
ISBN 13: 9780452281707
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 5754870-6
Quantity: 1 available