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rivka's Reviews > Enchantment
Enchantment
by
by
** spoiler alert **
(2.5 stars)
I first read this shortly after it was published. Unlike most other OSC books, I had not reread it . . . until now.
The problem is, that even though it is a marvelously written book, and I usually enjoy retellings/retoolings of old fairy tales, I find Enchantment very disturbing.
I know perfectly well why Ivan is Jewish: in 1970s Russia, it was certainly the easiest way to end up a refusenik! And what other non-Christian would make any sense in pre-1000 Russia? I get all of that. It makes perfect sense in the book's context.
But it means that I am meant to root for Ivan's marriage to Katerina, and against poor Ruthie. To root for a marriage that makes all his children non-Jews, completely lost to the Jewish people. (Not to mention be ok with his conversion to Christianity.)
Somehow, I can't imagine OSC ever making a character Mormon as a plot point.
So on the one hand, I would give this book 4 stars; and on the other point, I would give it 1. My actual rating is a compromise.
I first read this shortly after it was published. Unlike most other OSC books, I had not reread it . . . until now.
The problem is, that even though it is a marvelously written book, and I usually enjoy retellings/retoolings of old fairy tales, I find Enchantment very disturbing.
I know perfectly well why Ivan is Jewish: in 1970s Russia, it was certainly the easiest way to end up a refusenik! And what other non-Christian would make any sense in pre-1000 Russia? I get all of that. It makes perfect sense in the book's context.
But it means that I am meant to root for Ivan's marriage to Katerina, and against poor Ruthie. To root for a marriage that makes all his children non-Jews, completely lost to the Jewish people. (Not to mention be ok with his conversion to Christianity.)
Somehow, I can't imagine OSC ever making a character Mormon as a plot point.
So on the one hand, I would give this book 4 stars; and on the other point, I would give it 1. My actual rating is a compromise.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
May 1, 2000
–
Finished Reading
July 4, 2007
– Shelved
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by
Kressel
(new)
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rated it 3 stars
Apr 25, 2013 06:03AM
My feelings exactly!
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I had no idea you read OSC.
Actually, it's the first of his I've ever read, but my husband read two of his short stories aloud to me years ago, and I enjoyed both at the time.
That your husband reads OSC I did know. ;)
What do you mean by "making a character Mormon as one of his plot points?" I'm pretty sure the people of Taina are Orthodox.
That sentence of my review is in the , as are most things people imagine (or in this case, I said "I can't imagine"). That means it is not something that is actually true.
