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The Lion Seeker


"Here is the South African novel I've been waiting for." - Lynn Freed
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Can you think of any other similar novels? How does The Lion Seeker compare to other Jewish literature?

Created: 08/24/14

Replies: 4

Posted Aug. 24, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Can you think of any other similar novels? How does The Lion Seeker compare to other Jewish literature?

Bonert's coming-of-age novel captures the reader because of its historical perspective, diverse characters, and narrative through the lives of immigrants. What other novels have intrigued readers in this same manner? How does The Lion Seeker use or upend these narrative traditions? How does it compare to other Jewish literature: Saul Bellow, Philip Roth, Bernard Malamud,Cynthia Ozick, Budd Schulberg, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and others?


Posted Sep. 01, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
laurief

Join Date: 09/08/12

Posts: 75

RE: Can you think of any other similar novels? How does The Lion Seeker compare to other Jewish literature?

I have read many books of Jewish literature. I love Maggie Anton's series of historical Jewish times. Plus the more recent novelists. The Lion Seeker was a good account with real character depictions and scenarios. The language was a bit difficult to navigate.


Posted Sep. 01, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: Can you think of any other similar novels? How does The Lion Seeker compare to other Jewish literature?

I think the Lion Seeker is similar to many other novels with a rather moral yet amoral character surviving through hardship, prejudices, family issues and historical international chaos. A majority of us Americans are descended from people who left the "old" country because of wars, bigotry, poverty etc. and in our own and our fellow citizens we mostly have some ancestor who twisted things to their advantage in some way and not always in ways that were legal or morally correct. As with most good stories this book has used a different setting and a host of varied characters to portray the way the world has kinda always worked and has done it very well.


Posted Sep. 01, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebajane

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 320

RE: Can you think of any other similar novels? How does The Lion Seeker compare to other Jewish literature?

I agree, joyces. It's similar to many novels, both Jewish and non in presenting a moral dilemma. I haven't read a lot of Jewish literature so I can't speak to any novels, specifically but I think the Lion Seekers in unique as a Jewish novel set in South Africa. I would like to know if there are any others


Posted Sep. 07, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janeh

Join Date: 06/15/11

Posts: 222

RE: Can you think of any other similar novels? How does The Lion Seeker compare to other Jewish literature?

The South African setting was unusual and interesting. I didn't realize South Africa was an early destination for Jewish immigrants. Probably the central question of why he didn't move heaven and earth to help his family escape from what was happening was also quite different from other novels I have read. Isaac seemed unusually removed from the knowledge of the German threat although his parents and sister, for that matter, were quite well versed in what was happening. I don't know if this was to point out his "favored son" status, spoiled and cosseted by his mother, or if he was just oblivious. I don't know that I've ever read a story about WWII and the devastation to the Jews where just one character was so out of touch from the reality of the War.


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