The Penitent
by Isaac Bashevis Singer
First Edition
Publisher: The Franklin Library, 1983
Copyright 1983 by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Special contents copyright 1983 The Franklin Library
Printed in the USA
This limited first edition of THE PENITENT has been privately printed and personally singed by Isaac Bashevis Singer exclusively for members of The Signed First Edition Society
“Dear Collector:
We hope you agree that this First edition of THE PENITENT provides a pleasant new dimension to book collecting. Novel Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer has written a moving special message to begin the book that is only for members of “The Signed First Edition Society” and is his welcome to you.
Isaac Bashevis Singer’s books seem to speak very personally to me. And millions of others have obviously felt the same — hence a career of many distinctions, topped by the Nobel Prize for Literature.
THE PENITENT begins with the experience of a prominent American author on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem who encounters another pilgrim with a fascinating odyssey to relate. The author hears the man tell of his search, through the uprooting of World War II in Poland and Russia, through the displaced-persons camps of post-war Europe, to the glittering promise of New York where he achieves wealth and all the superficial wants, and then to Israel, for a faith he desperately longs for. “
"The Penitent" tells the story of Joseph Shapiro, a successful but disillusioned Jewish-American businessman who abruptly abandons his secular life and travels to Israel in search of spiritual redemption. Shapiro's journey becomes an exploration of faith, identity, and the complexities of Jewish tradition, as he immerses himself in the ultra-orthodox community of Jerusalem. Singer's narrative delves into the tensions between modernity and religious devotion, examining the sacrifices and transformations involved in seeking atonement and grappling with the weight of past sins. The book is a profound meditation on the human search for meaning and the enduring power of faith, even in the face of profound doubt and societal alienation.
Isaac Bashevis Singer was a Polish-born American Jewish author, celebrated for his Yiddish-language stories and novels that explored themes of Jewish mysticism, folklore, and the complexities of human nature. His works, including "The Penitent," often depicted the lives and struggles of Jewish communities in Eastern Europe and America, blending realism with elements of the supernatural and the fantastical. Singer's achievements include the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1978, recognizing his profound contributions to world literature and his ability to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Yiddish storytelling. His works, characterized by their lyrical prose, psychological depth, and moral complexity, continue to resonate with readers worldwide, offering timeless insights into the human condition.
Please review each photo carefully for wear and usage. This item came from a local estate sale and was in the previous owner's home office for many years. Send me a message if you have questions or would like additional photos.
