David Golder, the Ball, Snow in Autumn, the Courilof Affair: Introduction by Claire Messud

by Claire Messud and Irène Némirovsky

Book Overview

Readers everywhere were introduced to the work of Ir?ne N?mirovsky through the publication of her long-lost masterpiece, Suite Fran?aise. But Suite Fran?aise was only the coda to the brief yet remarkably prolific career of this nearly forgotten, magnificent novelist. Here in one volume are four of N?mirovsky's other novels-all of them newly translated by the award-winning Sandra Smith, and all, except DAVID GOLDER, available in English...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307267083
• ISBN13: 9780307267085
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Everyman's Library
• Length: 408 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

nemirovsky reigns supreme

this collection of short stories by irene nemirovsky once again reveals her astute observations of humanity. all the stories are excellent,but SNOW IN AUTUMN stands out.this story of a servant of an aristocratic russian family at the time of the czar nicholas and the first world war,is absolutely beautiful and hearbreaking.i highly recommend this boook, and the beautiful edition by everyman's library,with a ribbon marker,is an added plus. don't hesitate to add this wonderful book to your collection.

A Golden Rediscovery

Irene Nemirovsky became a well-known author in the United States in 2006 with the posthumous publication of her novel "Suite Francaise," the last work she wrote before her untimely death in Auschwitz. The publication of the first two parts of "Suite Francaise" showcased a remarkable talent from a writer capable of capturing human nature in its most complex and conflicted forms. Yet while Nemirovsky may be a new name in today's publishing world, she was a recognized author in her day. Everyman's Library has published a collection of four short works into one volume, a brilliant testament of the talent and far-reaching scope Nemirovsky masterfully handled as an author. "David Golder" was the novel that first established Nemirovsky's reputation in France when it was published in 1929. It is the tale of a wealthy old Jewish man, who, now that he is nearing the end of his life, is coming to terms with the greed of the world around him. He begins to realize that for all his wealth, he has always had to work to maintain a standard of living for his wife and daughter and those they entertain. Yet it has never made him happy. Before he dies, David Golder must examine his life and see if he has time to change course and fix the things he's done wrong. Following "David Golder" are two short novellas, "The Ball" and "Snow in Autumn." "The Ball" is a quick paced gem of a story about the nouveau riche, a married couple who have raised themselves in society, but have not fully forgotten where they have come from. The mother is beastly towards her fourteen-year-old daughter and her servants, all as a means to show how far they have climbed in social stature. The mother wants to throw a ball to prove that they belong in society, but some unexpected and all too fitting events play out to put this family in its place. "Snow in Autumn" is about a wealthy Russian family forced to flee to France during the revolution, learning how to start over from nothing in a new world. It is told through the perspective of the children's nanny, who is unable to adapt to the new country and its strange weather. "Snow in Autumn" is a plaintive and sad story, its ending elegant and miserable at the same time. The collection is capped off with "The Courilof Affair." This is another story of the Russian revolution, but told throw the eyes of a young revolutionary who has been trained to assassinate the Minister of Education. Masquerading as a doctor, the young assassin soon learns that everything is not cut and dried between who is good or bad and what is right or wrong. "The Courilof Affair" reads a bit like an espionage novel, and although its ending seems a bit rushed, it is an intriguing look at what people will do to fight for what they believe in. The short novels collected in this edition are disparate stories, yet Nemirovsky deftly handled each as only a truly great writer could. It is a shame such a wonderful talent was destroyed, but Irene Nemirovsky's wo

Pure and abrasive

You get immersed right away into Nemirovskys' world. Right away with "The Ball" you get the discomfort rapport the mother and daughter have. "The Ball" is an absolute terrible tale and well rendered. Opening sentences are crucial, with "David Golder" you want to know what happens to this fellow, he is firm and refuses yet has remorse and is weak at the same time he manipulates and is manipulated. Once you let go the story about the author, we all know Irenes' terrible fate how she perished in the concentration camps, you are able to isolate and focus on her ability to write, she was not just an author, yes she published, she was a writer with a capital W. Words seem to land perfectly. A few sentences are absolutely beautiful. I stop and read again, several times over and over the same sentence to decorticate and learn to read again. How she describes lovers in bed, the intertwined legs and bodies, their shadow shown on the ceiling reveals the image of a bouquet of flowers. There is more, four short stories in this volume, but much more in her complete oeuvre, I urge any curious and avid prose lover to read and discover Irène Némirovsky.

Fresh insights into psychological aspects of people

I have almost finished this book and so far it is quite a compelling, interesting,with unusually fresh and insightful glimpses into many psychological facets of the characters portrayed. Her insight and portrayal of their psyche's is one that will be forever memorable to me. I particularly liked The Ball. I can readily see a teenage girl feeling and wanting to act the way that Antoinette did to avenge her mother's cruel treatment of her. The Snow In Autumn evokes feelings of sad longing for home and the past for a refugee.All in all, a remarkable and unforgettable book.

Exceptional Reading

There are many reasons for loving a book ... of course content, the manner in which the author has painted a picture for the reader, a love for the time period in which a story is set, perhaps a specific character - heaven knows - I have fallen in love with a protagonist in my younger days. With this book, aside from all the talent that the words spread on the pages, I love the book. The paper is heavy weight - not glossy - not harsh. The ribbon bookmark reminds me of days when books were made this way ... I enjoyed reading this book because of the quality of the construction .... now on to the inside. Nemirovsky has a way of developing the ghosts of one's past. Regardless of how well her characters do in life there seem to be parts of their beginnings that they cannot shed ... a genetic tattoo, a social ingraining that continues to come through regardless of how they change over the years. I felt the pain of David Golder; I wanted to throw Mrs. Kampf to the dogs and delighted in the vision of little pieces of paper floating down the river; I could feel the heat of the wood burning stove and the cold of the chilling Russian wind in Snow in Autumn. Brilliantly written in simple language, if you are looking for paperback literature - this is NOT the book to read. I am hypnotized by Nemirovsky's work and hope that you are too!