Books by Melvin Konner…

…on Jewish subjects:

“…a poignant and highly accessible account of an ongoing story that transcends all telling.”

–Harold Bloom, author of The Western Canon and Shakespeare

 

“Certainly the best one volume overview of Jewish history and identity available…”

–Sander L. Gilman, author of The Jew’s Body and Smart Jews

 

“[This] sweeping study of the Jews feels so fresh and alive…nothing less than inspiring.”

–The New York Times Book Review

Published in 2009 as part of the acclaimed series “Jewish Encounters,” edited by Jonathan Rosen and published by Nextbook in cooperation with Shocken Books.

 

“…weaves a narrative that is not just a Jewish story, but one of humanity’s many stories…”

–Muhammed Hassanali, armchairinterviews.com

 

“…a tour de force…”

–Sander Gilman, The Forward

The complete African poems of Abraham Sutzkever, translated by Mel Konner (Naydus Press, 2024). Afterword by Jason Cammy. Cover art by Ed Colker.
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“Mel Konner’s excellent translations capture both the beautiful surfaces of Sutzkever’s poetry, and their allusive depths. They succeed especially well at communicating the directness of Sutzkever’s Yiddish together with the unsettling beauty of his images.” Timothy Quinn, Restless Images: Poetry in Review
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“Konner presents readers with clever and sensuous renditions of the Yiddish originals…. His wonderful translation fills a gap…” Eva Hückmann, In Geveb: A Journal of Yiddish Studies
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“I’m so grateful to Mel Konner and Naydus Press for giving me (and all English readers) access to this astonishing cycle of poems….” Jacqueline Osherow, author of The Hoopoe’s Crown
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“Mel Konner’s translations convey Sutzkever’s deep images and magical formulations…. Readers who give themselves over to these ‘human seeds like a handful of singing dust’ will ‘spin in sunny ecstasy.” Norman H. Finkelstein, author of Jewish Comedy Stars

A beautiful example of the bookmaker’s art, exquisitely produced and illustrated by Ed Colker. Translations by Melvin Konner of poems on African themes by Abraham Sutzkever, considered by many to be the greatest Yiddish poet. Limited edition purchased by many university and other institutional collections.

 

Available from Haybarn Press .

…on other subjects:

(visit www.melvinkonner.com)