THE CANDLESTICKS AND THE CROSS

by Ruth Freeman Solomon ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 25, 1967

This interfaith (viz. the title) mongrel (religious/historical) novel streaks like wildfire across the Ukraine at the turn of the century where Jewish Ronya marries Tartar Boris, a stallion of a man. No less turbulent than this marriage is Russia at the time since the Tsarina has fallen under the black influence of Rasputin and anti-Semitism will shortly be triggered by the Beilis ritual murder. Ronya is protected by her closeness to the throne, but for how long? And then there's her allegiance to Judaism strengthened after her son Igor's marriage to a simple Jewish girl. And so it goes, a tale of adultery and bastardy (Boris and his gipsy queen Tamara: Igor with roaming hands as well as feet which take him to Manchuria): while Ronya, a wolverine of the steppes, attempts to protect her family and her faith. Always rampant, sometimes a little silly, a tale of tossing passions told at the top of its voice.

Pub Date: April 25, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1967

Categories: FICTION