Review of "Moryak" a novel of the Russian Revolution

[MrsDavid]

Straddling Two Worlds; Belonging to Neither
“MORYAK” by Lee Mandel

A common theme emerged in my research on Jews in Czarist Russia: a sense of limbo – of straddling two worlds, yet belonging to neither. Those who documented their experience, whether soldier, artisan, doctor, laborer, lawyer, or clerk, called themselves Russian Jews despite feeling like outsiders in both the shtetl’s world of Torah study and in the openly anti-Semitic Russian society.

The novel “Moryak”, by Dr. Lee Mandel, is a good example of such a life. Set in the early twentieth century, with Russo-American politics in the forefront, the protagonist, Stephen Morrison is an American Jew, who emigrated from Russia at the age of eleven, with his rabbi father. Choosing a U.S. Navy career over Torah study, he becomes alienated from his father and background, while anti-Semitism alienates him from the mainstream society he chooses to live in. His striving for acceptance fuels his motivation to excel at his assignments. Morrison is eventually recruited into espionage at the highest levels of government, taking him back to Russia in an ironic series of intriguing twists.

The historical timeline is extremely accurate and the way it is interwoven with the fictional tale satisfies any questions of believability. Mandel’s extensive knowledge of military weaponry and naval vessels is to be admired, and blends into the story without being intrusive.

On a technical note, there were a number of editing issues; however, it is a testament to the strength of the narrative, the well-drawn characters and structure of this suspenseful tale that they are easily forgiven and quickly forgotten.

This theme of disenfranchisement, of being in limbo, is as well conveyed in Mandel’s work of fiction as it was in Bryna Kranzler’s non-fiction biography, “The Accidental Anarchist”, taken from the journals of the author’s grandfather, a Russian Jew drafted into the Czar’s army, as likely to be killed by fellow soldiers or officers, as by enemy forces. That Mandel conveys this sentiment in a work of fiction is quite a feat. Dr. Mandel skillfully draws on his knowledge and experience as Captain, Command Flight Surgeon, and ship’s historian in the U.S. Navy. Kudos to the author for interweaving a tale of suspense and espionage with a historically and technically accurate background while reflecting the real cultural angst of a people.