The Elected Member (Paperback)

by Bernice Rubens (Author) "Norman Zweck dared not open his eyes..." (more)
Key Phrases: Rabbi Zweck, Auntie Sadie, Norman Zweck (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Booker Prize Winner in 1970. Norman is the clever one of a rabbi's close-knit family in London's East End. Following the prodigious achievements of his childhood, he becomes a brilliant barrister, the apple of his parents' eyes. However, at the age of 41, he experiences a terrible fall from grace, becoming addicted to drugs and being confined to his room where he is prey to hallucinations and paranoia. Rubens explores the Old Testament notion of a family scapegoat, the elected member of the title, to brilliant effect; it is an idea also present in the work of R D Laing, the psychiatrist, one of her acknowledged influences. (Kirkus UK) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

In this 1970 Booker Prize-winning novel, Norman is the clever one of a closely-knit Jewish family in London's East End. Infant prodigy, brilliant barrister, the apple of his parents' eyes—until at 41 he becomes a drug addict, confined to his bedroom, at the mercy of his hallucinations and paranoia.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (April 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671506307
• ISBN-13: 978-0671506308
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,061,861 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tragic fall of a family, December 16, 2003

By	Tyler (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elected Member (Paperback)

Bernice Rubens' novels are difficult to find here in America but are definitely worth reading.
The Elected Member is about the Zweck family, a well-to-do Orthodox Jewish family in England, and how it slowly disintegrated because of their firm hold onto their culture. The novel centers on the eldest son Norman who once was a top lawyer, but had to be admitted to a mental instituion after suffering a nervous breakdown. But what causes his breakdown? Was it his parents who simply hold onto him too tightly? His 2 sisters whom he committed crimes of the heart against? Rubens expertly transport us to the Zwecks' family past and slowly reveals how past mistakes can come back to haunt everyone in a family.