Everybody Has Somebody in Heaven by Avram Davidson
Essential Jewish Tales of the Spirit
(Edited by Grania Davidson Davis and Jack Dann)
Pitspopany Press/Devora Publishing - November 2000
ISBN 1930143109 Hardbound
Literary Fiction/short story anthology

Reviewed by Beverly J. Rowe, MyShelf.com
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Avram Davidson was better known for his science fiction, but he also wrote a considerable amount for Jewish journals that were more autobiographical vignettes than short stories. The first part of this book is a collection of these pieces dating from his experiences during World War II to his death in 1993, with an editorial introduction and history of each short story.

The second part of this book is a Symposium of science fiction and fantasy writers paying tribute to the great man. Jack Dann, Peter S. Beagle and Barry Maltzberg, along with other writers each relate their own tale of remembrance for Davidson.

He was an eccentric man who never strayed far from his Jewish roots, and the third section is a collection of his later writings that have a strong religious theme.

He was able to chronicle the smells and sounds of the times with his brilliant writing skill and the rich details he was famous for. His use of many words that are rooted in Hebrew adds Jewish flavor to all his stories. Davidson's stories are wonderful, hard to put down reading adventures, even if you aren't Jewish. It isn't a high-tension book, but after reading it, I will really have to look up some of his other works. I think I have become a fan.