The Slave

I have to say, The Slave was the only book I read this semester that wasn't a textbook or the Bible, so I enjoyed it. Singer is a fabulous writer for creating a story during which you can feel both sorrow and joy.

The most interesting theme I found in the story is impossible love. It might not be a theme that's easily noticed, but I found it to be particularly touching because I think it's something a lot of people have experienced. Jacob falls in love with Wanda in the beginning, but he is taken away from her. When he gets her back, she passes away. It's a classic Romeo/Juliet story, only instead of the roadblocks being political or because of the person's family, they are Cosmic. It doesn't come right out and say it, but I saw a definite correlation between God and the Prophets, such as Ezra and Neamiah, preaching about intermarrying and the forbidden marriage of Jacob and Wanda. I think everyone's had an experience with someone who they really care about but, due to certain circumstances, can't be with.

So that's my little spiel about The Slave, which made me not really laugh but definitely cry. It wasn't the best book I've ever read and I don't know how particularly inspiring or memorable it was, but it was definitely an enjoyable read and it was nice to have a good book to go to after reading Stats and Psychological Theory...