In Short: Isaac Bashevis Singer's "The Dead Fiddler" with Richard Klin

“The Dead Fiddler” is a vivid and macabre short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer that encompasses almost all the motifs we associate with his oeuvre. There’s the locus of Eastern European Jewry, the dark fables of Jewish mysticism, a strong dose of Edgar Allan Poe, and, in the midst of all this, humor. For those unfamiliar with Singer’s fiction, “The Dead Fiddler” serves as an excellent gateway into his writing. For those who have read him, the story is a great reminder of why his works are being read and discussed, more than 30 years after his passing.

Reading List:

• “The Dead Fiddler” by Isaac Bashevis Singer (A copy of the story will be emailed upon registration.)

What to expect from this reading group: Expect a conversational and participant-driven course with some background about Bashevis and commentary about the story provided by the instructor.

What to read in advance: Please read “The Dead Fiddler” in its entirety. A copy of the story will be emailed upon registration.