The Murderer

The Murderer by Felice Holman is a very fascinating book. It takes place during the Great Depression in a small town called Ashlymine, Pennsylvania. The Murderer is about a thirteen year old boy named Hershel Marks, or Hershy. Hershy is subject to racial prejudice because of his Jewish religion. The Polish boys call Hershy and his friends degrading names such as "Christ Killer" and "Zydek." In retaliation to this, Hershy and his friends throw rocks from a rooftop down at the Polish boys. The Murderer is a good book for quiet afternoon reading; it is a real page-turner. There were many exciting and funny parts in this novel such as when Hershy uses his "fish act" to make a "hypnotized" girl in a window laugh just to receive a free night's stay at the hotel. But more importantly, the historical content in this book is authentic. Felice Homan often times refers to Adolf Hitler's rise in power and the effect of this. Also, an overriding theme in this book is the effect that the Great Depression has on Hershy and his family. In response to the Great Depression, the Marks family has to make many adjustments, such as saving more things and being more conservative. All in all, The Murderer by Felice Holman is a good book because of its readibilty and historical content. The Murderer by Felice Holman is a good representation of the question of what is the truth and how do you know it. This is because of the racial tension between the Poles and the Jews. Although the Poles call the Jewish boys "Christ killers," Hershy doesn't believe that this is true, so he decides to find the truth. The quest becomes a subplot to this book. Hershy decides to ask his family for the answer to the question of if his religion really did kill Christ. His family gives him a vague answer which isn't good enough for him. He seeks out to find Rabbi Gold to find the answer. Hershy asks the Rabbi, "Did we really kill Christ like the kids say?" (Holman 92). The Rabbi's response is how and that "crucifixion was not a Jewish way of execution" (Holman 93). Hershy is satisfied with this answer and his guilt is alleviated. Clearly, this example shows how Felice Holman related her book to the question of what is the truth and how you know it.

Felice Holman has done it again. This wonder full novel is about Hershey Marks, a young boy trying to find where he fits in, and yet living in Pennsylvania coal country. This wonderful novella is a great read. I also highly recommend Slake's Limbo, by Felice Holman