Books@Night (Zoom)

Antiquities by Cynthia OzickLloyd Wilkinson Petrie, one of the seven elderly trustees of the now defunctÉTemple Academy for Boys, is preparing a memoir of his days at the school, intertwined with the troubling distractions of present events. As he navigates, with faltering recall, between the subtle anti-Semitism that pervaded the schoolÕs ethos and his fascination with his own familyÕs heritageÐin particular, his illustrious cousin, the renowned archaeologist Sir William Matthew Flinders PetrieÐhe reconstructs the passions of a childhood encounter with the oddly named Ben-Zion Elefantin, a mystifying older pupil who claims descent from EgyptÕs Elephantine Island. From this seed emerges one of Cynthia OzickÕs most wondrous tales, touched by unsettling irony and the elusive flavor of a Kafka parable, and weaving, in her own distinctive voice, myth and mania, history and illusion. (From the publisher)
Discussion is led by a synagogue member. Whether meetings will be in person or on Zoom has not yet been determined. Please check the website for up-to-date information.