''Natasha and Other Stories'' () is a collection of

short stories A short story is a piece of prose fiction. It can typically be read in a single sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the old ...

by Canadian author

David Bezmozgis David Bezmozgis (; born 1973) is a Latvian-born Canadian writer and filmmaker, currently the head of Humber College's School for Writers. Life and career Educational background Born in Riga, Latvia, he came to Canada with his family when he was ...

. His first published book, ''Natasha'' was published in 2004. Stories from the collection first appeared in ''

The New Yorker ''The New Yorker'' is an American magazine featuring journalism, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons, and poetry. It was founded on February 21, 1925, by Harold Ross and his wife Jane Grant, a reporter for ''The New York T ...

'', ''

Harper's ''Harper's Magazine'' is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts. Launched in New York City in June 1850, it is the oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the United States. ''Harper's Magazine'' has ...

'' and ''

Zoetrope All-Story ''Zoetrope: All-Story'' is an American literary magazine that was launched in 1997 by Francis Ford Coppola and Adrienne Brodeur. ''All-Story'' intends to publish new short fiction. ''Zoetrope: All-Story'' has received the National Magazine A ...

''. The book is a collection of linked stories about the Bermans, a

Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...

family from

Latvia Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...

adapting to their new life as immigrants to Canada. The central character is Mark Berman, who is a young child when the family first arrives in Canada. The title story was adapted by Bezmozgis into the 2015 film ''

Natasha Natasha is a name of Russian origin. It is the diminutive form of the Latin name Natalia, which means "born on Christmas Day". Notable people * Natasha Aguilar (1970–2016), Costa Rican swimmer * Natasha Allegri (born 1986), American creator, ...

''."'Natasha': Film Review"
''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'', January 26, 2016.

Awards and nominations

''Natasha and Other Stories'' won the

Danuta Gleed Literary Award The Danuta Gleed Literary Award is a Canadian national literary prize, awarded since 1998. It recognizes the best debut short fiction collection by a Canadian author in English language. The annual prize was founded by John Gleed in honour of his ...

in 2005,"Bezmozgis to direct film version of his 'Natasha and Other Stories'"
''

The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Newspapers in Canada, Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in Western Canada, western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of more than 6 million in 2024, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on week ...

'', March 6, 2013. and was nominated for the 2004 Governor General's Award for

English fiction English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

and the

Guardian First Book Award The Guardian First Book Award was a literary award presented by ''The Guardian'' newspaper. It annually recognised one book by a new writer. It was established in 1999, replacing the Guardian Fiction Award or Guardian Fiction Prize that the newspa ...

. The book was also chosen for inclusion in '' Canada Reads 2007'', where it was championed by

Steven Page Steven Jay Page (born June 22, 1970) is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was a founding member, lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the music group Barenaked Ladies. Page left the band in February ...

References

2004 short story collections Canadian short story collections Jewish Canadian literature HarperCollins books {{2000s-story-collection-stub