Friday the Rabbi Slept Late Audiobook By Harry Kemelman cover art

Friday the Rabbi Slept Late

A Rabbi Small Mystery, Book 1

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Friday the Rabbi Slept Late

By: Harry Kemelman
Narrated by: George Guidall
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About this listen

Young and unassuming Rabbi David Small sorts through puzzling pieces of mysteries with logic straight from the Talmud. In Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, a shocking discovery on the temple grounds threatens to ruin both the diligent rabbi and the entire Jewish community at Barnard’s Crossing. Unaware that his congregation is grumbling about his rumpled appearance and absent-minded manner, Rabbi Small spends long hours poring over scholarly books. But he is forced to face his congregants’ discontent when the police discover a young woman’s body outside the temple - and her handbag in his car. Suddenly Rabbi Small must study motives and uncover the killer, or lose more than his followers. Best-selling author Harry Kemelman fills his shrewdly plotted mysteries with likeable and cunning characters who could be your next door neighbors. Personally approved for this unabridged recording by the author’s estate, veteran narrator George Guidall expertly brings the harried rabbi and his mutinous congregation to life.

©1964 Harry Kemelman (P)1997 Recorded Books
Mystery
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What listeners say about Friday the Rabbi Slept Late

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I loved this story and this narration

Sadly I was not born Jewish but I have been studying Judaism for many years with the intention of converting when I am certain I will be a worthy member of a priestly people. I of course can’t speak to the realism of the portrayal of this fictional community but I can say that I had a Rabbi who reminds me of Rabbi small in his convictions, his love of Talmud and study, his deep intelligence and kindness, and his unyielding desire to emphasize the beauty and separateness of Judaism at the same time he tried to develop a diverse and inclusive congregation. The murder mystery is the least interesting part of the story. I hope you enjoy the characters and their relationships and their integrity as much as I did. I wish this could become a series on Hulu or Amazon. “Barnard Crossing” or “The Rabbi Small Mysteries” 😊

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Dated but good detective work.

I read this entire series years ago when they were new. So I expected them to be dated, and I was not surprised. So I approached them as I would Old-Time radio and accepted the premises as they were presented. It was wonderful hearing the rabbi explain the Talmudic approach , and it was wonderful, listening to George Guidall do the narration. He made it come to life it was enjoyable I will probably listen to the whole series again.

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although nearly 60 years old, this book holds up

I loved the way the mystery develops, and all the interesting philosophy and religion discussed and worked into the story, by main characters, as it unfolds, and Rabbi applying Talmudic principles to criminal investigations. Very original !

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Rather good

The main character was very smart and likable, though unassuming. The action took some time to unfold, but overly the slow pace had its charm and corresponded with the setting from mid XXth century.
The the police inspector was also a fine character who aimed for justice and wasn’t satisfied with the easiest answer. Moreover, he felt secure enough to listen and solve the case in cooperation with an outsider.

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Enjoyable and a good look back at history

Firstly, the narration is great. The reader does a good job of making each character distinct without seeming stereotypical. The story, itself, is pretty good, if uncomfortable at times (it isn’t shy in its portrayal of antisemitism), but really stands as an artifact of the time. Some of the descriptions of women wouldn’t pass muster today, and shouldn’t, but the writing embodies the ethos of the time. The twist was unexpected, but the author left clues that could have led someone smarter than I am (the Rabbi, for instance) to the conclusion. I’ll listen to another!

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Great literacy

The story is intriguing. The narrator does an amazing job!
The writer is a brilliant storyteller! Will definitely download the whole series of the Rabbi.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Detective set in 1960 Conservative Jewish comunity

Would you listen to Friday the Rabbi Slept Late again? Why?

I might in a few years,

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was what I had predicted a while ago.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The Conservative rabbi asserts that in Judaism their is no life after death. This is not only blatantly untrue he also frequently uses this carter to preach.

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Amazingly Smart Story!

I'd seen this series on bookshelves in my (much) younger days, and decided to try the first volume when it showed up in a sale. What a great crime story, plus a real education in Judiasm. I only thought I knew about the workings of the Jewish faith...fascinating on both counts! Next up, Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry.

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Rabbi Small

I have been a Rabbi Small fan for over 40 years! Audiobooks' reading of Harry Kemelman's first Bernard's Crossing's Rabbi and Hugh Lanigan is a delight!

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Love it!

I have always been a fan of the Rabbi Small mysteries. They are well thought out and developed. So happy they are available through Audible.

They are worth getting acquainted with. They are timeless.

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