Songs For The Butcher's Daughter: A Novel / by Peter Manseau

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In Massachusetts in the summer of 1996, a young man works diligently at translating some obscure Yiddish literary works when, almost by accident, he stumbles upon a 93-year-old man, one Itsik Malpesh, who claims to be the "last and greatest Yiddish poet in America". Originally from Kishinev in the Russian Empire (modern day Moldova), Malpesh has come a long way, his life a twisting journey ever since the very beginning. He was born during a pogrom, or political uprising in which a series of riots directed towards the Jews in the region was intensely underway. While hiding from the marauders at one point during the upheaval, Itsik's mother, grandmother and sisters as well as the town butcher’s small daughter, Sasha, were discovered when Itzik’s mother unexpectedly went into labor and her birth pains alerted their pursuants. The story goes that all of the attackers froze when the young Sasha raised her fist against the intruders, ultimately allowing the family to escape. Since then, Malpesh has written poems, all dedicated to Sasha, in a collection he has called “Songs for the Butcher’s Daughter.”
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With help from the translator who dutifully records all of the pertinent details, Itsik lays down the story of his life, how he escaped further persecution in Russia during the revolution, fled Europe ultimately avoiding both wars and ended up in New York City's lower East Side during the Great Depression. It was here within the Jewish enclave of the broader immigrant community that the Yiddish language flourished and Itsik's gift for poetry began to be fully cultivated. Also relayed is the story of how, against improbable odds, Itsik was able to reconnect with Sasha, the two becoming lovers later in life until a crucial misunderstanding broke their bond and Itsik's faith in humanity.
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More of a fictional recreation of the sage of real-life Yiddish poet Itsik Manger, who's story is more or less the same as Manseau's literary creation (odd how similar the names are), this is yet another book which attempts to preserve a forgotten part of Jewish heritage. It's a likeable story. The riveting chronicle of Manger/Malpesh, his words and poetry, is as good a saga as any to bridge the gap between languages, cultures and generations. Manseau, his own alter ego forming the book's other main character of the Yiddish translator, nicely lays down the finer points of Jewish folklore and mysticism in addition to fleshing out a good narrative. But although Itsik's life is cleverly told, he and the other characters lack substance, and many unfolding events push the story outside the realm of believability. Taken into context with the historical anecdotes of Manger's own life, the book becomes a bit convoluted as it goes on. (FIC MANSEAU)