THE DEBBA

Name: THE DEBBA
Author: Avner Mandelman
ISBN: 978-1-59051-370-5

by Avner Mandelman ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 13, 2010

An absorbing and captivating novel that bridges the uncomfortable political gap between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

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In his first novel, Mandelman (Talking to the Enemy: stories, 2005) writes of identity, intrigue, Israeli politics and murder.

On learning of the murder of his father, David Starkman, an ex-pat now living in Canada, returns to Israel to find that his father’s will has put him under an unusual obligation—to produce a play, The Debba, within 45 days of his father’s death, a play that had been performed only once before, in 1946, and had at that time created a riot. (A debba is a mythical shape-changing beast from Arab culture, one that can turn from a hyena into a man. While Arabs see it in heroic terms, Israelis see it as inflaming political tensions.) Starkman is so bitter about being both Israeli and being his father’s son that at first he willingly forgoes the opportunity to produce the play even though he will only realize his modest legacy of $65,000 if he meets the theatrical obligation. He believes it’s just not worth the trouble, but after reading the play he begins to get intrigued by the possibilities. In Canada he left behind his girlfriend, Jenny, but once back in his home country he begins a torrid affair with Ruthy, an old flame (also an actress) now engaged to be married to his best friend Ehud. The novel follows multiple narrative threads, from policemen trying to crack the case of the father’s violent end to the endless difficulties of getting the play on the boards. Actors are threatened or physically assaulted, possible venues for staging the play are vandalized, young Israelis—followers of radical rabbi Meyer Kahane—protest the whole idea of putting on the drama…and this action plays out against the backdrop of the 1977 Israeli elections. Through it all Starkman perseveres, moving from cynical indifference to rabid commitment. Along the way he finds out secrets about his identity and especially about his father’s past.

An absorbing and captivating novel that bridges the uncomfortable political gap between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

Pub Date: July 13, 2010

ISBN: 978-1-59051-370-5

Page Count: 368

Publisher: Other Press

Review Posted Online: June 3, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2010

Categories:

RELIGIOUS FICTION

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THE RAPTURE OF CANAAN

by Sheri Reynolds ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 3, 1996

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A second tragedy-laden southern coming-of-age tale from Reynolds (Bitterroot Landing, 1995)—this one, set in a strict and punitive religious community, with a good, gothic allure despite its lamentably plodding prose. Ninah Huff is 14 when she really begins to chafe at the confines of her small world. Her grandpa Herman, founder of the Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind, keeps harsh control over their small South Carolina community, which is populated mostly by Ninah's extended family. Those who stray from the righteous path know to expect treatment that can range from whippings with a leather strap to sleeping overnight in a newly dug grave. And Grandpa Herman is always ready with Scripture to justify any of these punishments. Ninah, meanwhile, finds herself dreaming more and more about forbidden things, especially her strong physical attraction to James, one of the few boys around who's not her blood kin. When she winds up pregnant, it sparks tragedy within her family and shock waves throughout the community. But Ninah insists that she's not guilty of the sin of fornication, that what she and James did together was a form of pure prayer. And, sure enough, when baby Canaan is born, he appears to bear a sign from God—his hands are joined at the palms like someone perpetually praying. Grandpa Herman proclaims him the New Messiah, and he's taken away from Ninah to be raised by others. This time out, Reynolds burdens her story with some unworkable metaphors—a rug that grins?—and much awkward dialogue, but, in all, she creates a strongly compelling tension between family feeling and religious fervor. The fate of Ninah and her son is uncertain until the small epiphany (or, really, anti-epiphany) at book's end—a moment that seems just right. Fire and brimstone that goes tepid at times but is really chilling overall. (Literary Guild alternate selection; author tour)

Pub Date: Jan. 3, 1996

ISBN: 0-399-14112-X

Page Count: 336

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1995

Categories:

RELIGIOUS FICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
THE SWEET IN-BETWEEN
by Sheri Reynolds

- BOOK REVIEW
A GRACIOUS PLENTY
by Sheri Reynolds

- BOOK REVIEW
BITTERROOT LANDING
by Sheri Reynolds

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JERUSALEM

by Cecelia Holland ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 1996

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Holland is back in the mists of the far past again after her forays into pioneer California (Pacific Street, 1992, etc.). This latest is one of her dark, well-paced, competent re-creations of power struggles among the mighty—here, in the wars between Christians and the Islamic forces of Saladin for control of the Holy Land in the late 12th century. The fictional linchpin in Holland's story of Jerusalem's internal battles and deadly warfare is the Norman knight Rannulf- -illiterate and disliked—who had a religious conversion (after sinful living) and joined the Knights Templar. The leper king of Jerusalem, meanwhile, Baudouin (Baldwin IV), is wise and brave, but he hasn't long to live, and his dearly loved sister Sibylla feels she's destined to be Queen of Jerusalem. Despite her brother's wishes, accordingly, she decides to marry a weak man—Guy de Lusignan—and truly rule. She'll also seek (in vain) to end the war by a summit with Saladin. Eventually, after the death of her child (Baldwin V), Sibylla will indeed be queen. In the meantime, Rannulf fights off physical and verbal assaults and wrestles with his vow of chastity. He and Sibylla have a few fleeting moments of secret love, and a Frankish knight, Rannulf's friend, finds amour in the arms of a nephew of the Sultan. Intrigue and frustrated policy thickenboth in castles and in battleground tentsas powerful nobles like Raymond of Tripoli, the King of Jerusalem, and the Master of the Templars contend. Finally, the Christian forces are defeated at Hattin, followed by a surrender with no mercy as Sibylla weeps at the destruction she thinks she's caused. Again, Holland paints inventively the faded images of real people, convincingly re-creates the sites of ancient Jerusalem, and offers both grue and understated commentary on bloodshed in the place where ``Jesus and Mohammed had stood face-to-face.''