The Man Who Thought He Was Messiah [Hardcover]

Curt Leviant Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 3, 1990

A remarkable novel filled with love, adventure, and mystical imagination, set in the year 1800 in Russia, Vienna, Turkey, and the Land of Israel. The author portrays one year in the extraordinary life of the Hasidic master and leader, composer, and storyteller Reb Nachman of Bratzlav - the man who thought he was Messiah.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Set in the year 1800, Leviant's mythical tale tells the story of Reb Nachman, a fictional great-grandson of the Hasidic mystic Baal Shem Tov. Nachman believes he, himself, could be the Messiah. But his love for a Gentile girl sends him on a pilgrimage to test his calling. In Vienna he becomes a close friend of Beethoven, mixing music and mysticism. Later he goes to Turkey and ultimately to Jerusalem. His understanding of what the Messiah really is begins to change as he seems to fail in some tests and succeed in others. Ultimately, he returns to his home in Bratzlav, Russia with the wisdom, vision, and self-knowledge that his quest has produced. An engaging fable that is at once amusing, touching, and profoundly thought-provoking. Enjoyable reading. Recommended for public libraries.
- C. Robert Nixon, M.L.S., Lafayette, Ind.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This beautiful and moving fictional narrative deserves our attention. It is the work of a gifted writer."—Elie Wiesel

(Elie Wiesel )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 222 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Publication Society; 1 edition (December 3, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827603711
• ISBN-13: 978-0827603714
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,013,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great love story and loads of spirituality!!!, April 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Man Who Thought He Was Messiah (Hardcover)

I noticed Curt Leviant's novel, "The Man Who Thougt He Was Messiah", on your website and was fascinated by the title. The book too is fascinating, a page-turner full of exciting adventures, a great love story and loads of spirituality. The hero, Reb Nachman, exchanges melodies with Beethoven whom he meets in Vienna; he also has the ability to levitate. After reading the book, I looked for reviews, and they were terrific. The New York Times Book Review (Dec 16, 1990) and Publishers Weekly (Aug 24, 1990). And Elie Wiesel wrote (quoted on the dust jacket) "This beautiful and moving fictional narrative -- Curt Leviant's best -- deserves our attention. It is the work of a gifted writer. Read it and you will plunge into an enchanting spiritual universe -- filled with imagination, humor and warmth -- that to our deep regret exists no more."