By Bella Chagall, with 36 b/w illus. by Marc Chagall. Reprint of 1946 memoir by wife of famed artist with a new introduction by Judith R. Baskin, Professor of Women's Studies now at Oregon State University.
"A vibrant memoir of Vitebsk before WWII where both Bella and Marc Chagall lived and where female experience is at the center." (from the Intro by Judith Baskin)
A must for Jewish museum shops!
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Primitive and uninspiring, just does not sound authentic:
I am sorry to say that this was such a bad book, I really was expecting something much better. Bella wrote about her childhood in Vitebsk (Belarus) in a fake "children" style, i.e. using language you see in a homework essay of a ten year old. It was supposed to be cute. But it just did not sound right for me. Second, there are almost no country-specific details at all. Bella does not care about Belarusian culture or the fact that it was under Russian occupation at that point. So, over all, the best thing... more info
Touching:
This book was penetrating and witty, giving a portrait of pre-war Vitebsk that makes the reader feel transported back to that time and location. Sweet without being cloying, the memoir bursts from the pages as if Bella were in front of you, holding a conversation with you.
enchanting child's-eye memoir of Russian Jewish life:
With illustrations by her husband Marc, Bella Chagall's memoir comes from the poignant brush strokes of childhood, focusing on Jewish holidays and family life. If you are curious about the life your immigrant forebears left behind, this will satisfy. I highly recommend it.
