This is a really nice and quick read for a play.

It presents some very interesting concepts that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

The retelling of the story of Job is quite unique and offers a fresh perspective.

It explores the themes of faith, suffering, and the relationship between man and God in an engaging and thought-provoking way.

The play's pacing is excellent, with just the right amount of action and dialogue to keep the story moving forward.

Overall, it's a great read for anyone interested in exploring these deep and meaningful themes through the medium of a play.

Highly recommended!

I truly love this book. It has been a source of great inspiration and knowledge for me. However, I have encountered a small problem. The text on pages 96 and 122 of my copy is cut off, and I am really eager to read what I am missing.

It would be extremely kind if anyone could post those pages. I understand that it might be a bit of a hassle, but I would be forever grateful.

This book means a lot to me, and being able to complete my reading of these particular pages would enhance my overall experience.

Thank you in advance for any help or consideration. I look forward to the possibility of having access to the full text on those pages.

A friend shared with me his experience of reading this short book. He came across a reference to it and, not realizing it was a play, read it in two sittings. He then gave me a review he'd found that helped him make sense of it. He advised me to hold off reading it until I'd finished the play, and I did as he said. This allowed me to form my own impressions.

As I saw it, this book belongs to the genre of "Holocaust theology," which the title made clear. I also noticed allusions to the 17th-century "false messiahs" and the Jewish role of the satan (though perhaps in a reversed sense?). I wasn't expecting the input from the review my friend had found, and the review didn't mention the connections the play had raised for me.

I thought there was too much irrelevant stage business that lasted too long and didn't help me understand the characters' feelings or who they really were. Also, I knew that the word "pogrom" only came into common usage around 1900, so when the playwright set the story in 1649, just after a pogrom, I was confused. The dates made me think the setting must be Poland.

Maybe I'm thrown off because I'm not used to reading plays. Or perhaps I don't trust my impressions because it's by the highly respected Elie Wiesel.

The story is set in a small tavern and inn in 1649, after a pogrom. Only a few Jews are left alive: the proprietor Berish, three visiting minstrels with Mendel standing out, and Berish's daughter Hanna. There's also a bit part for a seductive Priest who tells them another pogrom is coming and offers to save them by converting them. The other main character is the Christian barmaid Maria, who is respectful of Berish. The minstrels want to celebrate Purim by drinking and putting on a bawdy musical comedy. Through the first two scenes, we learn about the awful traumas the characters have experienced. Berish rails against God, and they decide to make their play a trial of God in absentia. But the trial is delayed because there's no defense attorney. So what's the significance of the character who shows up to fill that role?

Well, recounting all this has helped a bit. But I still can't rate this book.

The review my friend found: http://www.oocities.org/webofrob/rege...

This play is truly captivating and hard to put down! Elie Wiesel has masterfully crafted a modern-day equivalent of the book of Job, and in this instance, God does not offer a defense for Himself. All I can do is highly recommend that you read this play!

I found the introduction by Robert McAfee Brown to be extremely helpful. It effectively prepared me for the upcoming play, giving me valuable insights and context.

The afterword by Matthew Fox is also quite interesting. It begins by commending Elie Wiesel's choice of using drama to convey his message. And just in case you weren't already convinced of the power of drama, Fox then proceeds to demonstrate its superiority by presenting a rather dull essay as a contrast. This further emphasizes the impact and effectiveness of Wiesel's dramatic work. Overall, this play is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring profound themes and engaging with thought-provoking literature.