The Shoemaker’s Tale
The Shoemaker’s Tale by Mark Ari, published by Zephyr Press in July 2000, is a first edition novel comprising 246 pages. This work explores the journey of an orphaned cobbler in 18th-century Poland as he seeks the legendary Jewish rabbi and miracle worker, the Baal Shem Tov. The narrative is infused with elements of Jewish mysticism and Yiddish folklore, presenting a unique blend of charm and depth.
Readers will encounter a rich tapestry of experiences that reflect the complexities of life during this period, characterized by a mix of moral history, prophecy, and magic. The episodic nature of the story allows for a variety of allegorical tales, enhancing its thematic richness. The Shoemaker’s Tale offers an imaginative exploration of the human spirit, inviting readers to engage with its vibrant and multifaceted narrative.
Official synopsis Publisher
Wild, rambunctious, brutal and beautiful, The Shoemaker’s Tale plumbs the depth of the human spirit with a boundless charm that is part zen, part dada and wholly satisfying. If books can heal, this is penicillin. As with Levy’s bread, you don’t have to be Jewish to love Mark Ari.
A Chagall painting brought to life, the novel traces the episodic journey of an orphaned 18th-century cobbler in search of the legendary Jewish rabbi and miracle worker, the Baal Shem Tov.
Painter-storyteller Ari’s novel is a true original, with roots in Jewish mysticism and Yiddish folklore … extravagant, charming, and deeply serious in its matter-of-fact mingling of moral history, prophecy and magic.–Kirkus Reviews
“The Shoemaker’s adventures are portrayed with an artist’s sensitivity, and we get an exquisite and humorous portrait of life [in] 18th-century Poland. The number of allegorical tales in the novel add to its stature…a promising start to what should be a fine literary career.” The Jerusalem Post
“Awesomely imaginative…”
-Jerry Stern, author of , Making Shapely Fiction
Rich with the ironic wisdom of the great Yiddish folklorists. — The Miami Herald
A magical Tale…The Shoemaker’s Tale has the kind of blurbs on the back that we all dream about. I add my voice to that as well.”
-Leonard Lopate, “New York & Co.”
WNYC-AM (New York, NY)
“Ari’s provocative world of metaphors reflects…his awareness of the impact of the Holocaust on the Jewish psyche and the intricacies of modern Jewish humor.”
-Jewish Week
“Mark Ari’s well-shod first novel, The Shoemaker’s Tale, is a delight, a genuinely original look at Jewish life in the Eastern Europe of the eighteenth century. The critics have been enthusiastic…and so am I. It’s universal. I felt that immediately!”
-Ruth Jacobs, “The Jewish Home Show”
WEVD-AM (New York, NY)
“If ever there was a book that reads like a Chagall painting, this is it. The Shoemaker’s Tale is comic, surrealistic and engrossing. A wonderful story.”
-Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter
FAQ
What is “The Shoemaker’s Tale” about?
Who is the author of “The Shoemaker’s Tale”?
When was “The Shoemaker’s Tale” published?
What is the ISBN for “The Shoemaker’s Tale”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
