Cover of The Penitent

The Penitent

by Isaac Bashevis Singer · 1983

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Said by Singer to be his favourite among all his books, The Penitentis the story of Joseph Shapiro's search for salvation. After escaping the Nazi terror, Shapiro went to America, where he became a rich businessman and a philandering husband. His search for salvation and his return to the Jewish faith is an indictment of our wicked times and a celebration of the power of religious belief.

Genre
historical fictionhistorical fictionMore like thisLess of this
Themes
JewishJewishMore like thisLess of thisreligionreligionMore like thisLess of this
Setting
IsraelIsraelMore like thisLess of thisGermanyGermanyMore like thisLess of thisPolandPolandMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult

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“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

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