The Golem [Paperback]

Isaac Bashevis Singer (Author), Uri Shulevitz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 29, 1996 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

A clay giant miraculously brought to life by a saintly rabbi saves a Jewish banker who has been falsely accused in the Prague of Emperor Rudolf II.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

PW described the Nobel laureate's interpretation of a Jewish legend as "stunning," adding that the black-and-white drawings are "superb."Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Isaac Bashevis Singer's retelling of the legend of the golem is magical and compassionate, redolent with the warmth and philosophical wisdom for which this Nobel laureate is celebrated." --The New York Times

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (October 29, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374427461
• ISBN-13: 978-0374427467
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #712,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CLASSIC SINGER STORY, SUPPOSEDLY FOR CHILDREN, February 9, 2005

By 

Denis Benchimol Minev "Amazonia" (Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Golem (Hardcover)

The Golem is one fo the best known Singer short stories. Its theme is a Golem, a mythical figure imbued with life by cabalistic magic to help the Jewish people in a time of need.

This story begins with persecutions on Jews in Prague, which is when the Golem is sent to Reb Leib. After helping the Jews in their objective, Reb Leib decides to use the Golem, with its incredible strenght, for a less noble pursuit, which is when the Golem starts to disobey him. The story unfolds with the Golem, a creature made of clay, turning more and more human, with the mauturity of a child but enormous strenght. The probelms mount as the Golem destroys all in his way, falls in love (reciprocatedly) and gets drafted by the emperor.

The short story evokes many deep issues, such as what it means to be human, what one should do with unending power, what one should do to preserve the peace, and many others. Though originally a childrens story, any adult would enjoy it. It is the type of story that leaves one reflecting about certain issues for days.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful story, well presented, the basis for Michael Chabon's "Kavallier and Clay", July 13, 2007

By 

Howard Schulman (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Golem (Hardcover)

The Golem, as told by IB Singer, is a traditional Jewish mystical short story of a superhuman giant, made of clay, who is brought to life by the most religious rabbi in order to save Jews in times of trouble. And although it is a "children's" story, there are many layers of symbolism to keep adults interested. This particular edition was especially well done. I appreciated the artwork and overall esthetic presentation of the book.

I came to this book after reading Michael Chabon's Pulitzer Prize winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavallier and Clay, the "Clay" in the title being the last name of one of the main characters, but also the substance from which the rabbi made the golem. Chabon heavily alludes to and borrows from this story, the Golem of Prague, though never quite lets the reader know that this is what he's referring to, almost assuming that the reader already knows about it, which is for most people not the case. So it was especially rewarding to finally read the story.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jewish Mystical Story Telling at its Best, July 19, 2006

By 

William Bagley (Ashland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Golem (Paperback)

This seeming children's story is really a parable for adults (which children can enjoy and eventually get on another level when they are ready). There are many well crafted sentences about the spiritual life, how to surrender into trusting God to take care of your life, about the hidden saints who help our life on Earth work, how to use our free choice, how to live in community with others, how to relate to believers and nonbelievers, how to handle being falsely accused, and how to be humble with power. You can taste a whole way of life behind the story which might be worth living or open it at random and find some messages that relate to challenges we meet in daily life.