Mod 3: Golem by David Wisniewski

Summary:

Golem by David Wisniewski tells the story of a Jewish ghetto in Prague being slandered by what is known as the Blood Lie, in an effort by those who hate Jews to turn the rest of the city against them. A rabbi named Judah Loew has a dream that the only thing that can save the Jewish people is to perform a mystical Cabala ritual and create a Golem; a living clay giant that will serve and protect the Jewish people. With the help of two others the ritual is performed and a giant Golem named Joseph is created with the Jewish word truth carved into his forehead. Joseph is sent to work capturing those spreading the blood lie about the Jews and filling Prague's prisons with the criminals. Joseph begins to enjoy being alive and is enamored with sunsets and scents.

As Joseph uncovers the truth about the blood lie, the enemies of the Jews mount an attack on the Jewish Ghetto. Joseph grows enormous in size and stops the assualt, which causes the emporor of Prague to summon Judah Loew to him. He promises the Jewish people will be safe as long as the Golem is destroyed.

Judah finds Joseph, who does not want to return to Clay and wishes to keep living and refuses Judah's order, but Judah simply erases the first letter in truth, changing the word to death, which causes Joseph to crumble away. His remains are stored and sealed with funeral rites in the synagog where they may be called upon again if needed.

Wisniewski, D. (1996). Golem. New York, NY: Clarion Books

My Impressions:

My favorite part of this book is the Art. The cut-paper style is so unique and wonderfully done it adds some amazing visual interest to this classic story. It is easy for me to see why this book won the Caldecott.

Reviews:

Wisniewski's retelling of the golem legend varies only slightly from the traditional version recounted by Beverly McDermott in The Golem 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 16^th century, was a highly reguarded Cabbalist (a mystic). In this telling the golem speaks with the simplicity of a child, and hs is destroyed when the emperor guarantees the safty of the Jewish people. A lengthy not explains the idea of the Golem and details Jewish persucution 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 in Mark Podwai's retelling, Wisniewski's text lacks the power and child appeal of McDermontt's spare, well-crafted tale. Still, collections waning another edition of the story might consider this one.

Scheps, S. (1996). Golem[review of the book Golem by David Wisniewski]. School Library Journal, 42(10), 142. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/211695174?accountid=7113

Usage in a Library Setting:

This book can be used as part of a Jewsish culture program to teach patrons about the Jewish culture, religion, and history. It could be done around the time of a major Jewish holiday, such as Passover or Chanukah, or it could be used as part of a Jewish book and culture display.