Ray Kohn

Ray has been writing stories and composing music for over 60 years. His music is published by Mozart Edition. He performs music (a klezmer violinist) He was born in Cambridge but has lived most of his life in Sheffield.

Kohn's witty and surreal anthology of short stories swoops and dives through a range of genres from romance, crime, and science-fiction.

The futuristically themed narratives include an animal revolution, a chronometrically romantic tragedy, a retelling of Genesis and the lonely musings of an unpublished writer in denial. Seemingly every day characters inhabit unlikely bodies, but thoughts and conversations reveal personalities that transcend humanity, destroying prejudice and commanding a dignity altogether their own.
In an era when identity continues to shift to the centre of every issue, this body of work artfully brings to the fore the extent to which our experiences of life are confined by the corporal body and the interactions of time and memory. Kohn takes us on a metaphysical whistle stop tour of timeless worlds inhabited by familiar characters, the result is both invigorating and entertaining.

Ray's book page

As in the earlier comedy, 'Jewish Tales Untold', we are challenged to reappraise the cultural and mythic roots by which Jews (and others) live. We meet the Tzadik again, but now as a lecturer trying to analyse creativity, language and the foundations of Jewish (and other Semitic) religions. We leave him to travel on a journey of discovery and self-discovery, encountering dark humour, current political conflicts, funny tales and sad ones. Familiar legends and creative new myths illuminate the pathway through South America, the eastern Mediterranean and other countries through which the author passes. Real events sit alongside inventive fiction: sci-fi alongside celebrated tales retold. We see the world through the changing perspectives of the author, uprooted and in search of home.

56 Jewish tales that whirl the reader through fantastical stories, sci-fi, mythic, shocking and funny; a mysterious Tzadik shares philosophical thoughts and famous Biblical characters speak.

Peep behind what may have really been happening in celebrated Old Testament events; join the brilliant Tzadik by the fast-flowing river; and enjoy the metaphysical whistle stop tour of imaginary yet familiar lands whose extraordinary characters entertain and intrigue.

Precarity dominates the sensations generated through the twenty-four stories in Ray Kohn's book 'The Cliff Edge'. Yet in today's life's precarious situation, the author reveals a kaleidoscopic array of perspectives that underpin our concept of what is of value and what is beautiful.

This series of fantasies, fact-facing fictions and fables depict differing ways civilised people who wish others no harm can deal with those who oppose us. Some stories are comic, some sadly heartfelt and tragic. Ironic political commentary is intertwined with hilarity, myth with pathos, sci-fi with today's reality. Underpinning all these tales is a determined and humane resistance to the evil threats confronting us today.

Discussion & dialogue: https://raymondkohn.substack.com/

Ray’s music is published by https://www.editionuk.co.uk/

Some of Ray’s music is on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Teccler/videos

Past recordings are listed on https://raykohn2.wixsite.com/mysite/repertoire