Hiob by Joseph Roth
The classic book for German classes: Hiob by Joseph Roth. I read it (surprisingly) in German where it contained 190 pages. Boys and girls, 16+. Originally publsihed 1930.
Mendel Singer is a poor, Russian Jew who teaches small children how to learn the bible by heart. His wife is always complaining, but his three children are usually polite. But then, Menuchim is born, a cripple. The whole family dissolves, Deborah (the wife) concentrates on him only and leaves their children alone. The daughter of the house, Mirjam, uses this to spend lots of time with lots of men. When the sons of the family, Schemarja and Jonas, are supposed to join the military, Schemarja flees to America and Jonas becomes a soldier. As the parents discover Mirjam's past time, they follow Schemarja with their daughter, leaving the cripple behind. But America soon becomes the family's doom...
The story is not tense, but if you take the time to analyse it, it's well done, especially the names and the different concept of belief. I must admit, I don't like any of the characters, least of all Mendel, the protagonist. He's weak in character and a fanatic. In the end, his development was very well done. He learns what it really means to believe and that he never really stopped it.
His relationship to Deborah is strange. He actually wants her the whole time – well, at least until the mirror scene – and really begins to love her after her death! Only then he actually talks to her. That's weird.
Deborah herself is stupid. She doesn't know what she has, only what she doesn't own. But one thing she is: Protective. She'd do anything for her son. Except the things that would help him: Give him to the hospital. Or stay with him in Russia. But apart from that, she sacrifices everything: She even seems to stop loving the other children.
Jonas is a typical jerk. But, because he's the only one who stays in Russia (despite Menuchim), and doesn't run away from his fate, he's the only one with a chance of a happy ending. You don't know whether he has one, but he's got a chance. That's something!
And a whole lot more than what Mirjam and Sam have: Mirjam got what she deserved. Even though I'm sorry for her family – and her boyfriend.
Sam as well. He changed a lot through America. Before, he was nice boy, decent and caring. Then he became a bossy guy with too much self-esteem.
The only one in this book whom I really like is Menuchim: He's a good person, in the end. And in the beginning you're just sorry for him. The rabbi was right, with his “prophecy”.
The ideas base on the bible (Hiob), but it's been adapted to the time before the first World War, the plagues as well as the main character. The adaptation was well done, I think. There are many things to analyse.
But... I don't like the characters and the style is not something I like much. It's neither tense nor... well, in any other way interesting. So... good for lessons, not good for free time.
I give it stars for content and for the many things one can analyse.