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 published 1930.
Mendel Singer is a poor, Russian Jew who teaches small children how to learn the bible by heart. His wife, Deborah is always complaining, but his three children are usually polite. But then, Menuchim is born, a cripple with a prophecy. The pain would make him kind and wise, but his mother should never leave him. As Deborah is fixed on the cripple only the family dissovles: The military takes away his healthy two sons… and when her daughter's past is discovered, the family has no choice but to go to America – but that would mean leaving Menuchim behind.
The story is not tense, but if you take the time to analyse it, you realise that 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. But he changes and this development was very well done. He learns what it really means to believe and that he never really stopped doing it. Even when he said that he hates God and that he planned to eat pig etc., he never really did anything that went against his belief. He didn't leave the room when they prayed, he didn't put off his head – and he didn't, in fact, eat pig. When he first was a mindless fanatic who literally obeyed every command without understanding it, he grows to see that faith actually is not a restriction but something that strengthens you, can be very beautiful, healing and has a lot to do with forgiveness. The vicious circle began when he refused to give Menuchim to the hospital, where he could be healed, but “would loose his soul”. It continued when he went with his wife and daughter to America, “to protect her from the cossacs”. And it ended when he travelled on a holiday to be with the only son he has left. He grows from the role of the head of the family, who commands everything, to an actual husband and father.
His relationship to Deborah is strange. He actually only wants her until the mirror scene. After that, he wants to be left alone. The first time, he actually really talks to her was when she died. That's when he grew to love 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, but it's been adapted to the time before the first World War, the plagues as well as the main character. It was well done, you have many things to analyse.
But... I don't like the characters and the style isn't great either. It's neither tense nor... well, in any other way interesting. So... good for school, not good for anything else.
In brief:
I give it stars for content and for the many things one can analyse.