Rogasky, Barbara. Dybbuk: A Version. Illustrated
by Leonard Everett Fisher.
There
are a number of problems in Barbara Rogasky’s
retelling of S. Ansky’s play, The Dybbuk. The author states, “There are
those who think it is a sad tale, meant to frighten young and old and to teach
them a lesson. Exactly what that lesson is, I’m not sure about myself.” If the
author isn’t sure, how are we to
know?
In order to get closer to
the theme of this illustrated book for older readers, we need to immerse
ourselves in the way of life of Hasids living in the shtetl called Brinitz and the larger town called Miropol.
We need to believe that a spirit can enter the body of a living person. In this
age of logic over faith, of science over superstition, it’s difficult to make
that leap. In spite of its drama, this tale does not touch or move the reader.
Although
Rogasky is a skilful storyteller in many respects,
she intrudes into her telling with asides such as, “It is time to tell you
about.” Whether one would consider such intrusions heymish or jarring depends on one’s preferred style of storytelling.
The wordiness of the
telling and the gray-toned, unattractive illustrations would turn most people
away. Perhaps those students who attend a Jewish day school would be interested
in this story. For others, it would hardly merit a glance.
For a lighter telling of
the dybbuk story, see Francine Prose’s Dybbuk: A Story Made in
Heaven (Greenwillow Books, 1996).
Not recommended for
children but perhaps for young adults.
Grade 7-10
©
Anne Dublin.
Originally published in AJL Newsletter, Nov/Dec. 2005.
All rights reserved.