Shira

I only recently stumbled upon Agnon's novel "Only Yesterday" and loved it very much. It tells the story of a young man finding his way as an early Zionist settler in the as yet non existent state of Israel. "Shira" takes place about 20 years later and has as its hero a German-Jewish academician/historian in British Palestine. Happily married and a good father to an increasing family, the professor, nevertheless, feels a mysterious sensual obsession for the nurse Shira, who, in spite of the title, makes only very occasional appearances. In his day to day life, Dr. Herbst collects and stores information on a book project about an arcane subject of Byzantine history-- which he can't start because he can't stop collecting ever more details. There is much about this huge, unfinished novel that is enchanting, funny, a clever satire on academic life in the pioneering environment of this immigrant community. But, not unlike his protagonist, Agnon gets increasingly lost in his own increasingly labyrinthine mass of details. Where does all of this lead? Why go through the effort of reading this sheer endless stream of details? No clear answer emerges. In a fabulously erudite afterword Robert Alter tries to give the story an allegorical direction. Curiously enough, the translator in her "afterthoughts" seems to dismiss Alter's interpretation as too clever by far. So what to do with this amorphous monster of a novel? Enjoy the the flow of the details? Yes, of course. But after a while, as progress stalls and the flow stagnates tedium sets in. Still, there is so much that is enjoyable, so much one can sympathize with and learn from. Worth the effort? By all means. But don't expect the satisfaction of a finished masterpiece.

An un achieved book, yet vibrant and amazing. Tells us a lot about the early settlements in modern Israel. Definitely, it's worth the while.

This book was recommended to me and after reading a few pages I decided to get my own copy. The edition from Amazon is perfect.

Only agnon can describe Israel during the 30's when it was part of the British mandate. Yes you can look at the deep surrealist undercurrents,but I simple enjoy reading agnon's character descriptions and their stories. It is a bit wordy, particularly when it comes to dialogue, but who am I to question the genius that is agnon?

Masterpiece!

I'm in the middle of reading this as well, in English, and after looking at the two other reviews for "Shira", I simply feel compelled to say that this is one of the most extraordinary literary experiences I've ever had. His writing style is so unique and engaging that even if the story were absent any depth, "Shira" would be a delight to read. Some authors have literary styles which grab you and you are glad that they did - Faulkner, Borges. Agnon without any apologies can with "Shira" sit at their table.

I find it difficult to express all my feelings,emotions and thoughts concerning this epic novel. Incidentally the copy I have is well over 700 pages of close print. (Revised Translation 2013, Toby Press) It has taken me a week among other duties and activities. However I have read no other book during this period. Shira has taken up much time thought and energy. It has changed me, I hope for the better.The novel is set in Jerusalem, a city I have visited many times when leading pilgrimages to Israel. There are four Books comprising the novel and each leads on to the next, so the action runs smoothly without breaks. It took the author ten years to write and remains unfinished. The Afterword by Robert Alter completes the details to where the story is leading. I read the two 'Afterwords' by Robert Alter and the translator, Zeva Shapiro before tackling the novel. I'm glad I did, because both contributions amplified the background which considerably aided me in understand Agnon's message. The original was written in Hebrew, but Zeva Shapiro has done a magnificant job in translating Agnon's last novel into beautiful English. That in itself is a work of great inspiration.Its a love story between Shira and Manfred Herbst. Shira is the nurse who helped deliver the first daughter, Zahira, of Henrietta Herbst, Manfred's wife. Originally the Herbsts come from Berlin and have settled in what was then Palestine. Enacted against the background of Jerusalem life in the ever increasing shadows of Hitler's war against the Jews in Eastern Europe, the author writes a brilliant many layered novel.I've never read a book quite like it, but the novels of David Grossman come close to it, especially "To The End Of The Land. "

It's an easy reading first of all. Not much happening throughout the story but reflects the mindset of the main character very well - the struggle to keep his secret from his family, the struggle to keep up the highly honoured professor's image. Reason for giving 3 stars only: the book is not really about Shira and the for me it seemed that the author deliberatly tried to keep the story on Shira while it often drifted away and was more about Dr. Herbst. If it was only about him and Shira the book would be half as long as it is.