Book Summary:
Golem is about the Chief Rabbi of Prague who decides to protect his Jewish community from attacks of antisemitism. He enlists the help of Itzak Kohen, his son-in-law, and Yakov Sassoon, his best student, to help him conjure up the creature - Golem. The creature is conjured up using the words of the Cabala and formed from clay from the river bed. The creature is the guardian against threats against the Jews. One day a mob storms the Ghetto and the Golem unexpectedly uses violence to repel the mob. The Emperor, fearful of the Golem, ensures the safety of the Jews in exchange for the destruction of the Golem, and the Rabbi agreed to the terms. The Golem wants to live and he pleads for the Rabbi to let him live. The Rabbi keeps his word to the Emperor and destroys the Golem.
APA Reference of Book:
Wisniewski, D. (1996). Golem. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
Impressions:
I was taken by the great illustrations and also by the story. I can see this book appealing to those who like stories about monsters. This monster, however, is a good guy who is on the side of justice. He protects the Jews against pogroms and attacks. It's a tale that fills one with pride because on the one hand he's a defender of good. On the other hand, it is a story that ends in sadness because the Golem is a living creature who has developed feelings and admiration for the beauty of nature.
Professional Review:
Gr 3-Up Wisniewski’s retelling of the golem legend varies only slightly from the traditional version recounted by Beverly McDermott in The Golem (HarperCollins, 1975; o.p.). It is the tale of a clay giant formed in the image of man to protect the Jewish people of medieval Prague from destruction by their enemies. His master, the chief rabbi of Prague in the late 16th century, was a highly regarded Cabbalist (a mystic). In this telling, the golem speaks with the simplicity of a child (In many versions he is mute), and he is destroyed when the emperor guarantees the safety of the Jewish people. (Traditionally, the golem goes berserk and must be returned to the earth.) A lengthy note explains the idea of the Golem and details Jewish persecution throughout history. Wisniewski has used layers of cut paper to give depth to his illustrations, many of which have a three-dimensional appearance. A wispy layer, which begins as the vapor of creation, becomes smoke from torches carried by an angry mob of armed silhouette people and horses. The colors are browns and grays of the earth, sunrise mauve, and the pumpkin and burnt orange of fire and sunset. Skillful use of perspective enhances the Golem’s immense size. While the plot is stronger than in Mark Podwal’s retelling (Greenwillow, 1995), Wisniewski’s text lacks the power and child appeal of McDermott’s spare, well-crafted tale. Still, collections wanting another edition of the story might consider this one.–Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH.
Scheps, S. and Jones, T. (1996, October 1). [Review of the book Golem, by David Wisniewski]. School Library Journal, 42(10), 126. Retrieved from www.slj.com
Library Uses:
This book would help to introduce young students to antisemitism, prejudice, and race relations. It could also be tied in to an art lesson. Provide students with clay and have them create their own Golem.
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