Description

Jacob, a Jewish slave held in a mountain village after escaping a massacre by Cossacks, will be killed if he tries to escape. The one saving grace is his love for his master’s daughter, Wanda. They begin a secret affair, trying to avoid the cruelty of the other villagers, until one day Jacob’s fortunes unexpectedly change. Now he must choose between his need to be with his people and his love for Wanda, who in turn will also discover the meaning of brutality. In The Slave, published in 1962, Isaac Bashevis Singer creates a dreamlike portrayal of isolation, rejection, love and the meaning of sacrifice.

Publisher Review

The tale is tragic and warmhearted, full of mellow wisdom learned through suffering * Yorkshire Post * I cannot think of any book that catches so magically the pure intensity of the love of simple folk close to nature ... it's a beautiful story -- Terence de Vere White A peerless storyteller ... The Slave has the strength and authority of a timeless folktale * Saturday Review * A burningly radiant, intensely beautiful book. Singer is answering his age like a prophet -- Ted Hughes