A Song at the Edge of the World

In this freewheeling romp by the author of the post-Holocaust novel Not Me (“Nothing short of brilliant” —Baltimore Sun), the final pilgrimage of the great Andalusian Hebrew poet Yehuda Halevi frames a tale of Jews getting into trouble across centuries and continents, still looking for home.

Beginning in the 1830s, when an itinerant Viennese book dealer doesn’t know the value of the moldy old Hebrew typescript he has to sell, this novel plays fictional cat and mouse with the historical figure of Halevi, who was shaped by the rich Andalusian culture of 12th-century Muslim Spain and famously wrote “My heart is in the East / And I am at the edge of the West.” Jacob, a salt merchant’s son in Zaragoza, leaves home to follow in the footsteps of the great poet, whose life-ending journey to Jerusalem remains shrouded in mystery. Jacob’s quest interleaves chapters in which each generation—from a well-heeled Jewish son of 14th-century Vaucluse to a 20th-century fish monger in Newark—must ask: where do we Jews truly belong?

Everyone on the merry-go-round of diasporic lives carries a piece of Halevi’s poetry on their bumpy path to enlightenment, and only at the end of this era-spanning human comedy will we learn why their tale is being told, and by whom.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs