THE SECOND SCROLL

by A. M. Klein ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 24, 1951

The search of a man for coherence within a many dimensioned reality; the yearning of a people for freedom from fear and a chance for the good life, is richly, touchingly set forth in this story of a Jewish-Canadian journalist and his efforts to locate a lost relative. Uncle Melech had been a brilliant scholar in his European village, but after an unusually terrible pogrom, had broken with his religious tradition for the godless but seemingly humanitarian ranks of the Party. When the journalist next hears of him, however, Melech had left the Party which had sold humanity to expedient collaboration with the fascists, had somehow lived through the terrible war years. The author follows the brilliant, ever-receding figure of Uncle Melech as he declaims, questions, denounces and pronounces his way through Italy, Morocco and finally to Israel, after a journey through areas of time and place which had been or were participating in the Jewish epic -- the Vatican, a ghetto in Casablanca and Israel. Uncle Melech is finally killed before his nephew can see him for the first time, but the Canadian feels that in the living story of the Jewish people is the story and personality of Uncle Melech. Mr. Klein writes in a fine ornamental style, with deep feeling and quiet dignity. Jewish market especially.

Pub Date: Sept. 24, 1951

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1951

Categories: FICTION