A answers “I'm currently reading this book. What is...”

Ravi lobo asked this question about Ishmael (Ishmael, #1):

I'm currently reading this book. What is the significance behind the name Ishmael? It is also the name of the narrator in Moby Dick (Call me Ishmael). Is this just a coincidence?

A I know this is late but in the start of the book, Ishmael's name was originally Goliath. Walter Sokolow (who saved Ishmael and also a Jewish man) came…moreI know this is late but in the start of the book, Ishmael's name was originally Goliath. Walter Sokolow (who saved Ishmael and also a Jewish man) came across a painting of a gorilla named Goliath that seemed to be a "symbol for the Nazi giant that was then engaged in crushing the race of David". Once he realized that Ishmael was not a "bloodthirsty monster", he renamed him to Ishmael. Referring to the Bible, Ishmael was the firstborn son of Abraham, where his name translates to "God hears." At the start of Ishmael's life story, he talks about how he would question "why" while in the zoo because he felt as though he was "unjustly deprived of some inborn right." In a sense, God heard him and had him reborn as a whole person through the help of Walter. (less)

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