This is a wonderful saga of a Jewish family living in Russia and how their lives are impacted by events. First there were the pogroms and their effects, not only on the family but also on the Russian soldiers forced to enforce the terror. As the children start to leave Russia for a better life, it is hard to find it. The story focuses on Leizar. He moves his family to Poland, then Germany and finally to England. No matter where they are, anti-Semitism is rampant. I found this book heartbreaking. I just could not imagine uprooting your life and family from place to place to find a safe haven. Highly recommend this book.

"Leizar" by David Gelernter reminds me of one of my favourite authors Bryce Courtney. He writes epic sagas across generations of families.
This book starts in Poland in 1843 in a shtetl called in Kawetchka where Leizar’s father Zelman Domansky is born. We follow 5 generations of the Domansky family from 1843 to 1947, focussing on Leizar, who leaves his small village (and the horrible memories that live there) moving to Warsaw, Glasgow, Berlin and finally London.
I became more and more invested in the book as it continued....I guess because I knew the family, I was more personally attached to them and felt their hurt and championed their successes.
Knowing the history of Polish Jews, I knew the ultimate outcome for their race through
the world wars. But amid the chaos and devastation, Leizar's heart beats with love and hope......sometimes with his passionately tempered outbursts. Alongside the love of his life, Chaya, Leizar crafts moments of tenderness and connection, building a family legacy that withstands the test of time, witnessing shifts in history and humanity....the best of and the worst of.
Thanks to NetGalley, David Gelernter and Book Whisperer for my copy.

Outstanding Book and a Piece of Fascinating History.

This book Lezar by David Gelernter is a truly fascinating read which is based on both history and fiction. It is set in 1843 in a little shtetl village in Russian which at the time was occupied by Poland. The story is first set when a mother dies in childbirth and the baby Leizar is delivered into squalor amidst blood and pain. The book Spans five generations and is made from the stories of good, honest, everyday people whose memories are passed down through generations. It reads from the pogrom-plagued shtetls of Eastern Europe in the 1800s to post-WW2 suburban London.
This book is a lesson in triumph over adversity as you follow Leizar after being put into an orphanage and his journey as he grows up to find his birth family. Although this book is classed as fiction is a great reminder of the historical persecution of the Jews. I loved the attention to detail of the delicious foods and ceremonies. It is a very engaging read and a remarkable story which is a real page turner, and I found the book impossible to put down as it records memorable events in history in graphic detail. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book follows multiple generations of the Domansky family from the 1840’s until post WWII. The vast majority of the book takes place in a small Russian occupied village in Poland. The book then follows the family to Poland and around Europe.

Leizar, a third generation son is the focus of the book. However, I wish each generation had been given their own book. There was enough content here to feature each generation separately and more fully. At times the book felt sparse -time passed quickly and the day to day life was brushed over. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

I began reading this book with much interest because my family followed a similar path forward in the world as did Leizar. My great-grandparents left Eastern Europe in the late 1800's for a life of freedom in the United States. Prior to their departure, they also faced pogroms. Unfortunately, I found that this book was too long and dragged too many characters into the mix. The writing was subpar. However, as I finished the book and read about the author, I have to give him two thumbs up!

LEIZAR by David Gelernter begins as a tome of Jewish life in a shtetl in Russia, and ends with the end of World War II. First of all, I loved the Yiddish in this book, it brought me back to my childhood. Secondly, I loved the attention to detail of the delicious foods and ceremonies. It does ring of Fiddler, but that was life in a shtetl. Following this family’s story from Russia to England, is incredible! Heartfelt and beautifully written, this is a MUST READ, especially in today’s times! It can happen again! As LEIZAR says, NEVER EVER GIVE UP!

This is a tremendous, impossible to put down odyssey of the Domansky family, a poor Polish family living in the shtetl of Kawetchka. With engaging detail, Gelernter first introduces the reader to Zelman, Leizer’s father born in the mid 1800’s. As was typical in Poland at that time, Domansky family was very large and the story not only includes multiple generations but also extended family members.

The story includes so many details about many of its characters, their voices are very clear and memorable. Often stubborn but extremely hard working, the Domanskys are faithful to their Jewish religion and become leaders in their faith communities. Again, all the details of living as devout Jews are fascinating.

The historical accuracy of the story’s timeline and settings makes the book read as nonfiction. As Leizar moves from his tiny shtetl to Warsaw, then Berlin and finally the UK, the continual horrific threats to Jewish survival are profound.
Galernter’s writing is as smooth as silk. Over 400 pages effortlessly melt into the reader’s heart and mind. I read almost one book of WWII historical fiction per week, mounting to hundreds of stories. This book grabbed me as one of the best! Congratulations to David Gelernter!

Leizar by David Gelernter

I enjoyed reading this book very much, at times this story felt so similar to the movie Fiddler on the Roof, one of my favourite movies.

The book starts in Poland in 1843 in a small village or shtetl called in Kawetchka where Leizar’s father Zelman Domansky is born. The book goes on to tell us about the Domansky family from 1843 to 1947 from their lives in the small village to Warsaw, Glasgow, Berlin, London and Wales.

This is truly an unforgettable story of all four generations of the Domansky family. I know they are not a real family but after reading this book I feel like I have been welcomed in to their fold and I have been a part of them. I was sorry when the book ended and I could not find out what other adventures they had in store

I would like to thank Net Galley and Book Whisperer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Walking a mile in someone else's shoes can give perspective of their life. Author David Gelertner certainly helps the compassionate reader gain that perspective of the Jewish plight through the eyes and life of Leizar and the Domansky family who suffered so much at the hands of the Cossacks and others through the ages.

Although this is historical fiction it all seems very plausible and reads like a biography. Because of this I found some of the story hard to read but realized it must have been so much more heartbreaking and devastating for those in real life who had to live through and suffer it all. I think it crucial for serious empatheticc people to read this work. I admit there were points in which some detail was too draggy for me so I did skip over some portions but otherwise pressed on to the end of the story.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

October 2023

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

The amazing and heart rending story of a Jewish family through the generations from the 1800s to the end of WWII