Singer, Isaac Bashevis "Yentl the Yeshiva Boy" (Yiddish: נטל בחור ישיבה/Yenṭl der Yeshive-boḥer) - 1983
I am a huge Barbra Streisand fan and have seen quite a few of her films. And one of my favourite movies ever (not just by and with Barbra) is "Yentl". So, I was surprised to only now find out that it was based on a book. Of course, I could have guessed, such a great story, even if they changed quite a few important parts from the story in the film. So, it's probably a good thing I saw the movie first.
Unfortunately, it's only a short story, I'm sure Nobel Prize winner Isaac B. Singer would have had more ideas to describe Yentl and her life. But, nevertheless, it is a fantastic story and I hope to read more by this fantastic author.
From the back cover:
"Recognizing that Yentyl seems to have the soul and disposition of a man, her father studies the Torah and other holy books with her. When he dies, Yentyl feels that she no longer has a reason to remain in the village, and so, late one night, she cuts off her hair, dresses as a young man, and sets out to find a yeshiva where she can continue her studies and live secretly as a man."
Isaac Bashevis Singer received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1978 "for his impassioned narrative art which, with roots in a Polish-Jewish cultural tradition, brings universal human conditions to life".
I contribute to this page: Read the Nobels and you can find all my blogs about Nobel Prize winning authors and their books here.
Yentl is my mom's favorite movie! I love the music in it. But I never knew it was based on one of Singer's short stories.
ReplyDeleteYour mum is probably about my age, Lark. And I don't blame her, it certainly is a great film. And any music by and with Barbra Streisand is just fantastic, she is probably my favourite female singer (the male one would definitely be Neil Diamond).
DeleteBoth are great! :)
DeleteThanks, Lark. I think so, too. I was lucky to see Neil Diamond live twice. And I'm sad he can't perform anymore.
DeleteHI Marianne, what a great idea for a story... and how forward-thinking of Singer, writing when he did.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely forward-thinking, Lisa. I absolutely loved the whole story.
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