JACOB'S SON

by Ben Field ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1971

The timeworn struggles of a Jewish boy for identity are examined here with the sober thoroughness of a first look. The place is (where else?) Brooklyn; the time, the Depression. Michael Berkowitz can never seem to escape his own promise, constraining praise from the community, the beloved ghost of his scholar father, or the innocently insistent attentions of his young, coquettish mother. A singularly humorless boy surrounded by sad-eyed Harry Goldens of both sexes, he's contentious in duty and stuffy in rebellion. Besides his heritage, there are the problems of work (city scholarship or country labor) and women (admirable cousin Eva or wanton cousin Gertrude, both of whom he resists); coming to terms takes up a lot of time and space. Meanwhile the rest of the family is not inactive, what with Mama's confessions, Uncle Meyer's kvetching, Uncle Reuben's amours, etc. Michael seems a paragon of reserve if nothing else. . . . Bland and solid as a matzoh ball, for presumably a longstanding audience.

Pub Date: May 1, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1971

Categories: FICTION