Golem

An absolutely amazing book, both for historic and for artistic merit. Admittedly, I ran across this book via watching a fantastic video essay by Jacob Geller on YouTube—discussing the importance of the golem within Jewish culture and lore. The visuals were so striking that I had to get my hands on it, just to really pore over what makes a book like this so evocative.

Can absolutely say, the art alone would be enough to suck anyone in. These layered paper cuts are so intensely intricate that I found myself rereading this book-for-children just to examine where each layer started or ended. My personal favorite bit is, without a doubt, the one depiction of the Hebrew God in the book. Rabbi Loew witnesses a dream in which his God shows him show more a single word of power, which will later be used to bring the mighty Golem to life. But instead of paper—God's hand is a slightly translucent glittery plastic, utterly removed from the textures of every other illustration, and in fact literally visually ABOVE the paper... because you can see the plastic is casting a shadow. Just really really really cool visualization of a higher being, witnessed by its lessers.

But the story. Wow. Golem is a being of clay, a giant that becomes even bigger in response to the unhinged hatred felt for the Jews living in Prague. Being a creation of man, he is therefore less than man, subservient to Rabbi Loew's commands of locating evil people who perpetuate conspiracy against his flock. But in that same vein, Golem is still a creation brought to life by the will of the Hebrew God, formed from clay just like the first human. So he's overcome with emotions at the sight of a sunrise or the singing of birds. He gets distracted, the way I used to when I was a teenager on a farm, by the casual existence of every-day life.

As a result, the end of the book is heartbreaking for me. Golem has served his purpose, and the king of Prague has ordered Golem destroyed as a show of good faith. The giant begs for mercy, pleads to be allowed to learn and know the world, but the word—set into his forehead—that gave him life is destroyed. It had to be done, because Golem was just a creation of man and not a true person, but. Ehh. I always feel for the allegory of non-persons. It speaks to me on an individual level.

Being a huge fan of "machines that are people" media as well as the archetype to which Golem belongs—the superhuman savior—makes this a genuinely wonderful book to read even as a jaded adult. Also: inspired me to learn Hebrew! I want to understand the nuance of the word set in Golem's forehead—that seems incredibly neat. This is a truly wonderful tale.

Had I read this as a child, it would have left me unbelievably distraught in the best way... and probably eager to rewatch The Iron Giant. show less

When the Jews of Prague are falsely accused of a terrible crime, and threatened with mob violence, their wise and learned leader, the Rabbi Loew ben Bezalel, makes the difficult decision to create a golem - a man formed from clay or sand, and brought to life through arcane cabbalistic ritual - to protect them. Although the golem - soon clothed in human garb, and given the name "Joseph" - does what is asked of him, in tracking down those who would plant false evidence, and fending off those who would attack the Jewish ghetto, it soon becomes apparent, from the questions he asks about himself, and his place in the world, that whatever the motives involved, bringing him to life was a dangerous undertaking, and an awesome responsibility. show more When the emperor, finally convinced of the Jews' innocence, and intimidated by the power of the golem, extends his protection to Prague's Jewish community, the rabbi, ignoring his creation's pleas for life, returns him to clay.

Awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1997, this outstanding picture-book pairs a powerful retelling of the Jewish folktale of the Golem of Prague with brilliantly detailed cut-paper artwork. The language used by Wisniewski is mature, as are the themes of the story itself, making Golem a picture-book better suited for slightly older children. I appreciated the fact that the narrative did not skip over the moral complexity of the golem's violence - even thought the Jews are threatened, the rabbi thinks, at one point, that the golem's violence is simply too much - or of his creation exclusively for human use. The scene in which he is returned to inert matter has a sharp poignancy that would have haunted me, I suspect, had I read this as a girl. The artwork is just as amazing as the text - dark, mesmerizing, and often quite frightening! I think Wisniewski's work in Sundiata: Lion King of Mali was superior - oddly enough, that title received no honors - but this was still superb!

All in all, an excellent picture-book retelling of this important nineteenth-century legend, one that has influenced so many subsequent literary efforts, from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to Elizabeth Knox's New Zealand fantasies, Dreamhunter and Dreamquake. Those looking for other, more extensive retellings might also want to check out Isaac Bashevis Singer's The Golem (illustrated by Uri Shulevitz), or Elie Wiesel's The Golem (illustrated by Mark Podwal). show less

The story of Golem is one that has been told across several continents and has worked its way into the folklore of a variety of cultures. This particular rendition centers around a town in the 1600's in Eastern Europe where the local Jews were being tormented and treated cruelly. It has a much darker atmosphere from the dark, cutting illustrations, to the matter-of-fact style of speak used by the Rabbi and other characters in the story. A local Rabbi builds a giant clay Golem in which he inscribed the word "Emet" on his head. "Emet" is the Hebrew word for "life" and when he carved this word into the clay giant's forehead it brought him to life. The Rabbi told him that his only purpose was to protect the Jews which he began doing right show more away. But when the time came when he was no longer needed, the Rabbi erases the first letter from the Golem's forehead so that it read "met" or "death" and the giant crashed to the ground in a pile of clay. The story concludes in a way that many Jewish stories end with a ray of hope when they mention that the Golem was locked away in the Temple in case there ever came a day when he might need to protect the Jewish people again. show less

Fell in love with Wisniewski's illustrations in his book "Sundiata" and was happy to found out his "Golem" was awarded a Caldecott medal. Wonderful folktale about the Jewish people of Prague and the mythic creature of the golem, a giant made of clay summoned by a rabbi to defend his people. Cut paper illustrations are dynamic in composition, textures and color, with a lot of emotional content, pointing out author's theatrical background. I felt sorry for the Golem when he had to go back to lifeless clay after fulfilling his mission and savoring life.

Top 100 Pick because:

The straightforward, unassuming nature of the text is juxtaposed with the fantasical and layed cut paper style collage to visually portray the story. As the Golem is given life by a faithful Jewish Rabbi, the pictures give life and meaning to the non-hyperbolic tone of the words. I love the way Wisniewski uses cut paper to piece together the rich cultural and social history of the Jewish people. The images are dark and dramatic, inferring the tension and danger present in the stories narrative. I don't necessarily think the images further the story with new or hidden information. They complement what is being said, and provide a stunning representation of what the text offers, but overall do not share secret show more messages that add new meaning. That being said the text and illustrations are beautifully rendered and the Caldecott Medal is well deserved. I also love the way the Golem is depicted. Even though the illustrations are collages, the Golem is given expressions and human emotions that makes the reader sympathize with him and his desire to live.
Finally, Wisniewski adds a one page note at the end of the book, providing extra historical and cultural context that invites readers to further explore the true story behind this one.
**Stories that discuss history, culture, religion and other social themes really make me feel invested. show less

Unlike with Mouse, I have actually heard about the Golem creature before. Since I am a big horror movie fan, I immediately think of the 1920 German silent film The Golem: How He Came into the World. That being said, I never really looked into the folklore behind this figure from Jewish literature. In this book, Golem is basically a clay creature brought to life to end the oppressive blood libel myth in Prague. You really feel for Golem in this story because even though his sole purpose is to be a protector for others, he begins to want to enjoy his life as well. In that regard, it definitely came off as a proto-Frankenstein where the humanity of a formerly inanimate creature is explored. So, although this book could stand on its own, I show more would definitely recommend to teachers that they teach Golem and its myth alongside Frankenstein. show less

The illustrations in the book are very dark yet impressive by using the cut paper technique. While this is a picture book, the underlying message of provoking a being using magical powers beyond human control to protect an oppressed people is for an older audience, at least fourth grade.