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155th out of 401 books
—
305 voters
Son of a Smaller Hero
Young Noah Adler, passionate, ruthlessly idealistic, is the prodigal son of Montreal’s Jewish ghetto. Finding tradition in league with self-delusion, he attempts to shatter the ghetto’s illusory walls by entering the foreign territory of the goyim. But here, freedom and self-determination continue to elude him. Eventually, Noah comes to recognize “justice and safety and a...more
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
November 1st 1989
by New Canadian Library
(first published 1955)
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Never mind books like "Barney's Version"...THIS is pure, unadulterated, perfectly distilled Mordecai Richler. One of the most tragic, blunt, and SEARING novels I've read in some time -- there are few books that can match this one in its exploration of ghettoization. Physical, mental, and social. It forces its characters to face hard realities...and most of them don't come away from the experience unscathed. The prose ramming these ideas home is some of the most beautiful I have ever read in a Ca...more
This novel marks the point at which Richler found his "voice" and the subject matter and settings that would lead to his later classic novels. Essential to a full understanding and appreciation of Richler's work.
Enjoyed this one.
It is tight and he captures the mood of the place, time and community so well.
This young man.
This young woman.
both trapped is such different ways.
It is tight and he captures the mood of the place, time and community so well.
This young man.
This young woman.
both trapped is such different ways.
Read for Montreal bookclub, January 2011. A quick read; it was interesting to read one of Richler's early novels. Also fun to read another book that takes place in Montreal, my new home.
Endearing, believable characters. Writing with humour, insight, sarcasm, and kindness.
A sad story about a young man and the family he is trying to escape from.
Aug 02, 2010
Ibis3
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Mordecai Richler, was a Canadian author, screenwriter and essayist.
His best known works are The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1959) and Barney's Version (1997); his 1989 novel Solomon Gursky Was Here was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 1990. He was also well known for the Jacob Two-Two children's stories. .
The son of a Jewish scrap yard dealer, Richler was born in 1931 and raised on St...more
More about Mordecai Richler...
His best known works are The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1959) and Barney's Version (1997); his 1989 novel Solomon Gursky Was Here was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 1990. He was also well known for the Jacob Two-Two children's stories. .
The son of a Jewish scrap yard dealer, Richler was born in 1931 and raised on St...more
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“Each man creates god in his own image.”
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