Joseph Stein (1912–2010)

Tevye, a milkman with a quintet of daughters to marry off and no money for dowries or much of anything else, maintains his equilibrium by adhering to the traditions he knows, respects, and counts on. Increasingly he finds them undermined to the point of collapse by the intrusion of modern ideas and political upheaval. “Every one of us,” says Tevye, “is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck” (p. 13) as his position grows ever show more more precarious.

Aficionados of the twentieth-century American musical theater are well acquainted with Tevye’s travails, as chronicled in the highly acclaimed Fiddler on the Roof, with book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. On the fiftieth anniversary of the play’s Broadway premiere, Crown Publishers, a division of Random House (noted for decades for its hardcover editions of Broadway plays), has reissued the book of this beloved musical. All of the dialogue and the lyrics of the charming songs are here, though not the score.

Reading the libretto, as opposed to watching the movie or a stage production, facilitates contemplating the timelessness of the story. In every era, the new pushes aside the old, and circumstances beyond one’s control change one’s life. The conclusion of the play, when Tevye and the other residents of his village are scattered by a pogrom, not knowing whether they will ever see loved ones again, recalls the dispersal of U.S. Gulf Coast residents as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

Those who enjoy viewing the movie or play will find that reading Fiddler of the Roof adds a new dimension to their appreciation of it. Newcomers to Tevye’s story will find a well-constructed, seemingly simple but deeply wise story of love, loss, and life. show less

As someone who has never seen this play, it was a surprising and delightful read! Fast moving, fun, and quirky, you get a great exploration of Jewish identity and values, as well as a look into family, and exploring the boundaries of tradition and growth.

As you can see the play perform itself in your head, it is definitely on my list to experience it staged as well. If the book was as fun to read as it was, then the live performance is sure to delight even further!

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of one of the most beloved musicals of all time, a new edition of the original play has been released. Tevye is a kind man, but also one who's used to the world running in a very specific way. He is a Jew living in Russia in the early 1900s with his wife and five daughters. They live a simple life together and he holds the traditions of his people in high regard.

Each of his daughters is trying to find their way in the world and to begin to make decisions show more about their life and fall in love. Tevye's decisions and beliefs are put to the test when he must decide which is more dear to him, his family's happiness or his traditions.

I believe the reason this play is still so relevant today is because of the message of the story at its core. Despite the humor and the setting, the real story is about one man trying to understand the world as he watches it change around him. Whether it's Jewish people in 1905 Russia or hippies in the 1970s or millennials and their intrusive technology, children will always challenge and question the world in which they are raised. The author created relatable characters, full of humor and warmth. They all just want to be loved in their own way, despite the world changing around them.

BOTTOM LINE: See the musical if you get the chance so you can enjoy the full experience of the songs that have become so famous (Tradition, If I Were a Rich Man, Matchmaker, Matchmaker.) But regardless of whether you have a chance to see the show, the story told in the original play stands on its own as a timeless tales of humanity struggle to adapt to an ever-changing world.

**I received a review copy for an honest review. show less

Reading this made me want to watch the movie so bad! This book is the complete script for the original musical, it's awesome. I found myself humming along to the songs while I was reading. Reading the script made me appreciate how brilliant this musical really is. It's timely and continues to speak to people. The human drama and raw emotion shown in the dialogue and songs are still prevalent today nearly fifty years after it debuted on Broadway. Full of historical drama, Jewish identity, show more tradition, and love this tale will continue to last for many decades more.

For fans of the original musical, American theater, and Jewish history.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in return for my honest, unbiased opinion. show less