In 1951, Meyer Levin's wife gave him a copy of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, which had just been published in France. Levin was already a successful writer in his mid-forties, searching for a way to bear witness to his experiences as a war correspondent in Europe. In Anne Frank's diary, he found the voice he had been waiting for. The Obsession, widely regarded as one of Meyer Levin's finest works, is a candid account of his struggle to bring his version of Anne Frank's diary to Broadway. Levin's adaptation, begun with the support of Anne's father, Otto, was eventually deemed 'unstageworthy,' and he was supplanted by non-Jewish writers. To Levin, it was a clear case of sanitizing Anne's story in favor of mass appeal. He battled for his version in courtrooms and out, but the fallout nearly destroyed both his family and his career. In recounting the mania that gripped him for twenty years, Levin spares neither himself nor others. Like all his best work, this extraordinary memoir encompasses larger themes—the nature of Jewishness, the price of assimilation, the writer's obligation to himself and to his subject, and the search for identity and purpose. " The Obsession is an autobiographical account by one of America's best contemporary novelists of his twenty-year agonizing enslavement to an idea. ... It is a dramatic book, beautifully written, with suspense, sensational revelations, the striking changes of pace and focus, and relentless seeking after the meaning of the obsession." - Sage Journal Publications
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About the author
Meyer Levin
Author
Meyer Levin was an American novelist. Perhaps best known for his work on the Leopold and Loeb case, Levin worked as a journalist.
The Obsession
by Meyer Levin
Books Like The Obsession
If you're looking for books similar to The Obsession, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
Maus
Art Spiegelman
A groundbreaking graphic novel about Holocaust survival, told through animal metaphors. Spiegelman chronicles his father's experiences during World War II and the intergenerational trauma of Holocaust survivors. The book combines personal narrative with historical documentation. Like Levin's work, it explores themes of Jewish identity and historical memory. A revolutionary approach to Holocaust storytelling.
The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank
The actual diary that inspired Levin's obsession, written by Anne Frank during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Frank documents her life in hiding with her family during World War II. The diary provides an intimate, personal perspective of Jewish experiences during the Holocaust. It captures the hope, fear, and resilience of a young girl facing unimaginable circumstances. A powerful testament to human spirit.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor E. Frankl
A powerful memoir by a Holocaust survivor exploring human resilience and psychological survival. Frankl examines his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and develops his theory of logotherapy. The book delves into finding purpose and meaning in the most challenging human conditions. It shares Levin's themes of Jewish identity, survival, and personal struggle. A profound exploration of human spirit and psychological endurance.
Night
Elie Wiesel
A haunting memoir of Wiesel's experiences during the Holocaust as a young Jewish boy. The book chronicles his survival in Nazi concentration camps and the profound loss of faith and humanity. Like Levin's work, it confronts difficult Jewish historical experiences with unflinching honesty. Wiesel explores themes of trauma, memory, and bearing witness to historical atrocities. A seminal work of Holocaust literature.
The Chosen
Chaim Potok
A novel exploring Jewish identity, friendship, and cultural tensions in mid-20th century Brooklyn. The book follows two Jewish boys from different religious backgrounds navigating personal and cultural challenges. It delves into themes of tradition, assimilation, and individual purpose. Like Levin's work, it provides deep insights into Jewish American experience. A nuanced exploration of Jewish identity.
The Last of the Just
André Schwarz-Bart
A novel tracing the history of Jewish suffering through one family's generations. The book explores Jewish identity, persecution, and resilience across European history. Like Levin's work, it confronts themes of Jewish experience and historical trauma. Schwarz-Bart combines historical narrative with deeply personal storytelling. A profound meditation on Jewish survival and collective memory.
Defiance
Nechama Tec
A non-fiction account of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. The book tells the story of the Bielski partisans who saved over 1,200 Jews in Belarus. It explores themes of survival, resistance, and Jewish identity similar to Levin's work. Tec provides a nuanced exploration of Jewish agency during World War II. A powerful narrative of courage and survival.
The Yiddish Policemen's Union
Michael Chabon
An alternative history novel exploring Jewish identity in a fictional Jewish homeland. Chabon creates a complex narrative that reimagines Jewish historical experience. The book combines detective fiction with deep explorations of cultural identity. Like Levin's work, it provides a unique perspective on Jewish experience. A creative and thought-provoking exploration of Jewish identity.
The Rise of David Levinsky
Abraham Cahan
A classic novel exploring Jewish immigrant experience in early 20th century America. The book follows David Levinsky's journey from traditional Jewish life to becoming a successful businessman. It examines themes of cultural assimilation, identity, and personal transformation. Like Levin's work, it provides deep insights into Jewish American experience. A landmark work of Jewish-American literature.
In the Midst of Winter
Isabel Allende
A novel exploring themes of survival, migration, and personal transformation. The book interweaves stories of characters from different backgrounds facing personal and historical challenges. It shares Levin's interest in complex personal narratives and historical context. Allende provides a nuanced exploration of human resilience and connection. A powerful meditation on survival and hope.
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