The Way Back by Gavriel Savit: Join Me for a Book Discussion and Q&A!
When? Thursday January 23rd 6-8pm Central ONLINE
Captions are always enabled.
If there is anything else you need to fully participate, please let me know and I'll do what I can.
Contact me here or in the registration form.
THIS IS GOING TO BE SO GOOD!
Sign you up already?
I've got you, right here: https://forms.gle/wpStxoK8GNtbNLJJ7
Okay, so first of all, The Way Back is a FANTASTIC winter/Chanukah read. The best.
Give it to everyone on your list who likes Jewish folklore and magical realism.
Depending on your reader, I think a 7-8 year old could enjoy listening to it (when you read it, to the audio is amazing) and get something really good out of it, a 10-13 year old reading it on their own . . . well, we did this in our book club and every one of them gave it a 10/10 recommend, and teens who like this genre dynamically connect with the characters - especially in the last 1/3 of the book.
ALL THAT SAID I think The Way Back is one of those YA books that really isn't.
I mean, it is.
My tween and teen students have adored the magical realism and found so much to think about and enjoy.
However, the depth of the journey finding one's Way Back from experience with death . . . it's everything.
The Way Back is also so very, very Jewish and I'm very, very here for that.
I'm so here for it, I've now read it three times in the past year and have been listening to it as a bedtime story for months. The Way Back is in my top four fiction reads of 2024 (and I've read dozens). The more I read it and the more I listen to it, the more I find in it and the more I love it.
PLUS!!!
Gavriel Savit is a New York Times Bestselling author. His writing has been shortlisted for the National Book Award and has been translated into nineteen languages. As a performer, he has appeared on and off-Broadway and on stages around the world.
AND he’s joining us on Thursday January 23rd!
We will meet from 6-8pm Central, and Gavriel will join us for the last hour.
Now you want to sign up?
You bet! Right here: https://forms.gle/wpStxoK8GNtbNLJJ7
Here's more about the book:
"For the people of Tupik, a tiny riverside village in Eastern Europe, demons are everywhere— dancing on the rooftops at midnight, congregating in the trees, trying to steal away the living. The even have a land of their own— the Far Country— governed by demonic lords and ladies.
One night, the Angel of Death comes strolling through the village. This sends Yehuda Leib and Bluma, two children of Tupik, whirling off on a perilous journey through the Far Country, where they will make pacts with ancient demons and declare war on Death himself.
And maybe— just maybe— find the way back.
Drawing inspiration from Jewish folk tradition, The Way Back is an unforgettable and life-affirming adventure filled with heart and hope."
Sliding scale: $25-100 Please note that I of course always compensate authors for their time with us.
If $25 is outside your available range, please contact me. I want everyone who wants to join to be able to.
Included in Patreon Membership and there is no cost for members of the IKAR Circle: Virtually Neighbors, however contributions are always welcome.
Maybe now?
There is still time: https://forms.gle/wpStxoK8GNtbNLJJ7
We're doing this in late January so everyone who gets this book for Chanukah has time to read or listen to it before then!
Image of the cover of the book:
The book cover has a haunting, atmospheric design that visually captures the novel’s blend of historical and magical realism. Surrounded by wintery trees and whispery shapes that could be demons, the two human characters are bathed in light and carrying light as well. They are facing away from us and seem to be walking toward the darkness. Above them in the outline of a scarf are the words “The Way Back.” Holding the image is a pair of hands. The background seems to be a dark night sky. Everything is muted merging elements of surrealism and otherworldliness. The shades of gray and pale blue evoke and eerie, cold atmosphere.
There is also a picture of Gavriel, a white-looking Jewish man with greying hair wearing a burgundy button down shirt and his arms crossed casually in front of him. On a dark background in light golden letters it reads, "Mo'adon HaSefer: The Way Back" and then has the same image about Gavriel and about belonging and accessibility as you find above.
One more thing:
This is a Jewish-centered experience designed for adults, and everyone joining with curiosity and generosity is welcome.
You do not need to be Jewish or an adult to read this book or to join this conversation.
Happy Reading!