The End of Everything

Originally printed in 1913, When All Is Said and Done stands as one of the notable literary works of the 20th century. Regarded as the pinnacle of David Bergelson's creations, this masterpiece was penned in Yiddish and has, up until this point, remained absent in a comprehensive and precise English rendition. The version skillfully crafted by the esteemed translator Joseph Sherman at last presents the novel to a vast English-speaking readership.
Bergelson paints a vivid picture of the lives of ambitious, self-aware newly affluent Jewish individuals during the declining years of the Russian Empire. The focal point of the narrative is Mirel Hurvits, a well-educated and captivating woman who embodies the clash between established customs and advancement, nobility and entrepreneurship. A coerced marriage of convenience triggers Mirel's emotional unraveling, leading to a clash with the anticipations of her devout family and the Jewish heritage. Employing an exceptional prose technique characterized by an unparalleled breadth and elegance, Bergelson distills language to its fundamental essence, interspersed with pauses that intensify the sensation of estrangement in the tale.