The Fixer (Penguin Twentieth-
Century Classics) by Bernard
Malamud
Our Modern Selves
Kiev, in the years before World War I, is a hotbed of anti-Semitism. When
a 12-year-old Russian boy is found stabbed to death, his body drained of
blood, the accusation of ritual murder is made against the Jews. Yokov
Bok, a carpenter, is blamed, arrested and imprisoned without indictment.
Personal Review: The Fixer (Penguin Twentieth-Century
Classics) by Bernard Malamud
The Fixer won the rare double of The National Book Award and the
Pulitzer Prize in 1967.
I approached it with some trepidation. I hadn't particularly sought out a
story of a wrongfully accused Jew in Kiev in the early 20th century.

Within a few pages, I knew what a special book this was. Yakov Bok is a
man who has lived a difficult life. He has never earned much, has tried to
be a good man and his wife has recently left him for another man. He
wants his fortunes to change and leaves his rural home for Kiev.
In Kiev, he does a good deed for no reason than because he is a good
man. This leads to initially good fortune. This is Kiev in a time when Jews
were feared and reviled. The good fortune involves becoming an overseer
at a brick factory where he pretends to be a gentile.
Yakov's life goes south from there. He is wrongfully accused of killing a
young boy in a ritual murder. The accusation is ridiculous and pretty much
everyone knows it. Unfortunately, he must pay for his religion and lies and
a frame up ensues.
Much of the book involves, Bok's struggle in the prison as he awaits trial.
The government wants him to confess and promises him many things to
do so. Bok's stubborn determination and basic goodness despite what
others do to him is the core of the book and it makes for a very touching,
maddening, heartbreaking story.
I read the book in 2 days and I will remember Yakov Bok forever. This is
truly a classic of American 20th century literature.
For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
The Fixer (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics) by Bernard Malamud 5 Star Customer
Reviews and Lowest Price!