The novel, Chaim-and-Maria, is an attempt to remind the public that Adolf Hitler, along with his dedicated butchers, both Germans and non-Germans, did not come from nowhere. They were the fruits ripened on a certain branch of the tree of our great civilization. Their followers and sympathizers are living among us - just as their predecessors lived among our grandparents and great-grandparents. The novel was written in the late 1970s, when author still lived in the Soviet Union, while the described events had taken place 150 years before that, in Czarist Russia, in the remote town of Velizh in Vitebsk Province. The Velizh Case is one of about 200 blood libel cases recorded in the history of our civilization. It attracted author’s attention for two main reasons: it was one of the largest and most ridiculous blood libel investigations, and it was almost completely forgotten.
The only other historical novel based on blood libel accusations known to author is The Fixer by Bernard Malamud. It was written about 70 years ago. It is based on the Beilis Case that also took place in Czarist Russia. The novel became an international bestseller, and the author was awarded with the Pulitzer Prize.
We believe that Chaim-and-Maria, with its gripping plot, life-like characters, and relaxed narrative, might attract readers from all walks of life.
The bitter irony of the title is clear to Russian readers, but it should be explained here. There is a common field flower, violet (Viola tricolor L.). In Russian, it is called Ivan-da-Maria and is a symbol for love. By replacing the typical Russian male name, Ivan, with the typical Jewish name, Chaim, the title parodies the symbolic meaning of the beautiful flower.
What kind of love story is developing between Chaim and Maria? There is no other way to figure it out, but to read the novel.
