Weights and Measures

It feels like every book by Joseph Roth is a treasure. This short novel follows the rise and fall of Anselm Eibenschütz, an official of limited talents and ambitions. Eibenschütz, is the type of hero that Roth is loved for, he is relatable without being very likeable and he wields his small amount of power carelessly. Roth's writing is excellent as always and there is so much humour in the way he documents Eibenschütz's simple life.

Weights and Measures is a deceptively simple tale about a man, Austro-Hungarian artillery officer Anselm Eibenschütz, happy with his life in the military nagged by his wife to leave the army and take up a civilian job. The reluctant Eibenschütz takes up a job as a Weights and Measures Inspector on the Russian border. The conscientious Inspector finds himself in a world of corruption and dishonesty,the latter extending to his marriage,as he moves amongst the cheats,crooks, deserters and black marketeers of the edgy border region.

In a satirical piece of commentary about the waning power of the Austro-Hungarian empire Eibenschütz adopts an "if you can't beat them ,join them" mentality as his life spirals downwards and a shrug of the shoulders replaces his initial zealous "zero tolerance" attitude to his work.

This is a very enjoyable little book in a writing style that is almost whimsical at times,with vivid descriptions of winters so cold that birds drop dead from rooftops and Eibenschütz's faithful horse appearing to be the only character that he can fully trust.

Another great book from Pushkin Press who are bringing classic books from all around the world to a new readership,this is another of their gems.

First off, my thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the quick and easy access to an e-ARC of this upcoming republication (October 29, 2024) of a Roth novella.
With all 4 grandparents coming over from Slovenia (part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time) in the early 20th C, I do love reading Roth's A-H novels.
Or novella in this case. A lesser known work of his, it is one of his best.
First published in 1934, and translated by David LeVay and published in English in 1982 by the Peter Owens Press. Later available through Penguin, but mostly in Great Britian rather than the US.
Pushkin Press will thankfully be republishing this jewel this Fall.
One of Roth's darker and more bitter works (and that is saying something!), it is the tale of a youngish ex-military man who takes a minor government post in what can only be described as a hellhole outpost on the edge of the empire. Filled with corruption and distrust, pettiness and illicit affairs, crime and ignorance - and drink.
Roth's descriptions (the weather!), and his choice to often repeat phrases over and over again in the same scene, works well here. It is like the pounding a nail to get the point across.
Thank you Pushkin Press for republishing this, and for providing me with the e-ARC.
5 out of 5. I have read "Radetzky March" 3 times, and many (most?) of Roth's many works through the last 15 years. It is really a joy to find somethinjg "new" by him, and this work really stands out!

This is a beautifully written book. Roth's writing style is so elegant and I loved the prose. The writing is what truly captivated me with this book and made me want to read more by Roth.

*Weights and Measures* by Joseph Roth is a profound exploration of duty, isolation, and the human condition. Roth's masterful prose and keen insight into his characters create a poignant and timeless story. A deeply affecting novella that lingers long after reading.