Giorgio Pressburger

"In the title story, four rabbis on a trip through the mountains offer marvellous and revealing interpretations of the similarities between snow and guilt, just before an avalanche, killing three of them, provides the most concrete interpretation of all for the survivor. In other stories, horrors await a scientist who provokes unrequited passion in a young girl; a wheelchair bound philosopher rails at cosmic injustice throughout the events of the twentieth century; and a man who saves a kitten from death unwittingly changes his life through a random act of kindness. These stories, ostensibly reported by the author's former classmates, conclude with a tale of love written by Giorgio Pressburger's brother and fellow writer, the late Nicola Pressburger."--Jacket.

"The vibrant Jewish quarter of Budapest provides the setting for these stories by Hungarian twin brothers -- refugees since 1956 -- that won the prestigious Italian Jesolo Prize. This unusual "composition by two hands" has impressed readers across Europe for its high dignity and perfect artistic control. The Eighth District is the last great center of European Jewry to withstand the Nazis and Stalin (as well as the crushing of the 1956 uprising). The story of its Jews and Gypsies, peasants and market traders, scholars and musicians has remained hidden until now, both to Hungarians and to the rest of the world."-- Book jacket.