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Harry KemelmanAmerican writer, master of ironic detective fiction
Date of Birth: 24.11.1908
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Harry Kemelman
- Turning to Writing
- The Rabbi David Small Series
- Rich Description and Cultural Insight
- Legacy and Passing
Biography of Harry Kemelman
Harry Kemelman, an American writer and master of ironic detective fiction, was born on November 24, 1908, in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University with a specialization in English literature. After completing his studies, Kemelman taught in American schools and universities.
Turning to Writing
Kemelman turned to a writing career in the post-war years, at a time when he was already far from young. His first detective story from the series about Nikki Welt, a professor from New England, was published in 1947. The stories were published from 1947 to 1970 and were cleverly and skillfully crafted puzzles for the hero to solve, much like chess problems. Today, these stories are recognized as classics of the genre.
The Rabbi David Small Series
However, it was the series "The Rabbi David Small Week" that brought Kemelman worldwide fame. This series consists of seven novels, written "by the days of the week" - from Friday to Thursday. The novels in the series were published from 1964 to 1978. In them, the author creates a universal character of a scholarly and noble rabbi from a small American town. Kemelman later added five more novels to the "week," with the last one being published in the year of the author's death. All the novels consistently sold in huge numbers.
Rich Description and Cultural Insight
Harry Kemelman's works are very rich in domestic descriptions and are simply fascinating as a multifaceted depiction of a whole cultural layer. Unfortunately, the Russian translation of Kemelman's novels suffers from inaccuracy and poor portrayal of the subtleties of Jewish culture. However, according to readers' opinions, Kemelman's books still leave a pleasant impression.
Legacy and Passing
Kemelman passed away at the age of 89 on December 15, 1996, in Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA.
