Der Nister (1884–1950)
Author of The Family Mashber
About the Author
Born in Berdichev, Ukraine, Der Nister ("the concealed one" in Yiddish) received a traditional Jewish education but also read secular Russian works at an early age. His spiritual and literary growth were greatly influenced by his older brother Aaron, a Bratzlaver Hasid. To avoid serving in the show more Russian army, Der Nister left Berdichev in 1905. He lived mainly in Zhitomir, eking out a meager existence giving private Hebrew lessons. In 1921, Der Nister left the Soviet Union and settled first in Kaunas (Kovno), Lithuania, and then Berlin, which had become a center for literary exiles and emigrants. In 1926 he returned to the Soviet Union, this time settling in Kharkov. He revived Nahman of Bratslav's Hasidic symbolic tales, and his own writing is also characterized by folk fantasy and modern Kabbalistic symbolism. His most famous work, Di Mishpokhe Mashber (The Family Crisis), is considered by many to be the greatest achievement of Soviet Yiddish literature. It combines the fantasy of the author's earlier works with modern realism. However, only two of the originally projected three volumes have been published. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: Der Nister (front center) sitting behind Marc Chagall at the Malakhovka Jewish boys refuge
Works by Der Nister
Regrowth: Seven Tales of Jewish Life Before, During, and After Nazi Occupation (2011) — Author — 17 copies
Unterm Zaun 1 copy
Di Mishpokhe Mashber: Roman 1 copy
At the Border 1 copy
די משפחה מאשבער : ראמאן 1 copy
Associated Works
Yenne Velt: The Great Works of Jewish Fantasy and Occult (1976) — Contributor — 327 copies, 2 reviews
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Kahanovich, Pinchus
- Other names
- The Hidden One
- Birthdate
- 1884
- Date of death
- 1950
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- Ukraine
- Birthplace
- Berdychiv, Ukraine
- Place of death
- Soviet Gulag
- Places of residence
- Berlin, Germany
Zhytomyr, Ukraine
Malakhovka, Ukraine - Occupations
- author
philosopher
translator
critic
Members
Reviews
The family Mashber by Nister
Worth the investment for the immersive experience alone. Highly detailed glimpse into the life of a 19th century Eastern European Jewish family. Rich with detail and meaning. This book contributed to the author's imprisonment in a Soviet gulag so you know it has to be good.
The Family Masjber by Der Nister ('the obscure one') is one of the forgotten classics of world literature. Influenced by the great Russian authors such as Tolstoy and especially Dostoevsky, Der Nister describes the life and downfall of a well-to-do Jewish family in the late nineteenth century. The story can favourably be compared with Thomas Mann's Buddenbrooks. It is masterfully told, and immerses the reader in an unfamiliar (to me at least) world of Jewish traditions, without ever becoming purely documentary. With just under 800 pages, fans of the genre will find all they look for.… (more)
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Statistics
- Works
- 16
- Also by
- 5
- Members
- 310
- Popularity
- #76,069
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 7
- ISBNs
- 21
- Languages
- 9
- Favorited
- 1