Puppet

by Eva Wiseman

A heartbreaking episode in history, explained through the story of a young servant girl in the late 1800s.The year is 1882. A young servant girl named Esther disappears from a small Hungarian village. Several Jewish men from the village of Tisza Eszvar face the ‘blood libel’ — the centuries-old calumny that Jews murder Christian children for their blood. A fourteen-year-old Jewish boy named Morris Scharf becomes the star witness of corrupt authorities who coerce him into testifying against his fellow Jews, including his own father, at the trial. This powerful fictionalized account of one of the last blood libel trial in Europe is told through the eyes of Julie, a friend of the murdered Esther, and a servant at the jail where Morris is imprisoned. Julie is no stranger to suffering herself. An abused child, when her mother dies her alcoholic father separates her from her beloved baby sister. Julie and Morris, bound by the tragedy of the times, become unlikely allies. Although Puppet is a novel, it is based upon a real court case that took place in Hungary in 1883. In Hungary today, the name Morris Scharf has become synonymous with “traitor.”Once again, Eva Wiseman illuminates a heartbreaking episode in history for young readers.From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, Young Adult Historical Fiction, 19th Century, Novels

Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2009

About the author

Young adult fiction writer Eva Wiseman was born in Hungary and currently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Eva possesses a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Arts degree, and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Manitoba. She has worked as a journalist for the Winnipeg Free Press and the former Winnipeg Tribune, and has taught English Second Language and GED courses to immigrant women.

Reviews

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book free from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

An excellent Jewish historical fiction, centered around a "blood libel" trial which occurred in Hungary in the 1880s. A local village girl, Esther, disappeared and the Jewish community was accused of killing her to use her blood for matzoh. One teenage Jewish boy, Morris Scharf (actually Moric; most of the names in the novel have been Anglicized), was suborned into falsely testifying against everyone else, including his own father.

The story is told from the point of view of a poor gentile girl named Julie, a friend of both Morris and the missing girl. As the housekeeper at the jail where all the accused Jewish people are locked up, she witnesses a great deal, and goes on to testify at the trial.

This book was very well done, especially in its characterization. Morris betrayed his entire community when life and death were at stake, but through Julie's eyes you see what pressure he was under and I think very few people would have had the courage to behave any differently. Even the accusers, most of them, are not demons, but only people deeply traumatized by Esther's disappearance and looking for someone to blame. There are heroes in the story, but they aren't perfect; they're scared, they're flawed, they have problems.

My only issue with the book is a fairly minor one: I think the foreshadowing as to Esther's true fate was a little too heavy. I knew at once what had become of her.

Highly recommended, especially for those interested in Jewish history and stories about prejudice.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This riveting novel is the story of the last "blood libel trial"--i.e., a trial accusing Jews of killing Christians for their blood--in Europe. Set in a Hungarian village from 1882 to 1883, the tale unfolds through the eyes of Julie, a poor teenager who lives with her sickly mother, little sister, and ill-tempered drunken father. Esther, the gentile girl who disappears and is presumed dead, is Julie's best friend. Wild with grief, Esther's mother refuses to believe that a body found later is her daughter, and, rather, chooses to believe that the Jews of the village killed Esther for blood to bake into their bread. Five Jews are arrested and held for trial, and the teenage son of one of them is beaten and psychologically manipulated into lying about seeing the men murder Esther. Julie knows the truth, but is she strong enough to tell it, risking her father's and the townspeople's wrath? This story is so suspenseful--I just couldn't put it down! Some readers may be put off by the latter half of the tale, as it reads like a trial transcript. However, I found it a fascinating historical study of the Hungarian legal system, peasant life, and superstitious beliefs. What really struck me about the story was the fact that Jews and Gentiles generally didn't mix, and so one tended not to understand the other, thereby creating misunderstandings based on ignorance. I'm sure this wasn't true just in Hungary at that time. From what I've read, it was that way all over Europe, especially in rural areas. I don't understand, however, how some townspeople could have continued to believe in the blood libel even after all the legal evidence was presented proving that it wasn't true. Perhaps some people just can't admit to being wrong. This book is sure to create much discussion if used in a classroom setting. Highly recommended!!

[Rain storm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the aspects where the 8 stages of genocide where met but they did lack a bit near the end when the story ended on a better note then it should have based on the stage of genocide it was at. Julie was a reliable narrator loved her she deserved to be with her sister Clara. the story started off a bit slow paced so it was hard to get into it but when i reached just over half way i couldn't put the book down especially during the court proceedings. it does show a very well image of what people are like when they are being forced trough violence and torture and hoe that can effect someone to even abandon their own family. was well written you definitely have to be in the mood to read something like this and thats why i gave it three stars because of it slow paced plot and how its one of those books where its just not for everyone.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I originally selected this book, I did not notice that the focus time period was 1882. I thought I was selecting a book about the persecution of the Jews in World War II. After I realized the story took place many years before WWII I was even more intrigued by the story.

A young girl disappears from her small Hungarian village. Everyone in the town is quick to blame the Jews for her death even though a body has not been found. Julie, a good friend of the girl who vanished remembers that she seemed very sad when she last saw her, and she just can’t bring herself to believe that the Jewish people committed the crime. Julie tries to focus on her own problems which consist of her mother who is dying, her abusive father, and a younger sister for whom she is responsible. But then she notices that the Jews have been beaten and a boy about her age has been turned into a puppet for the court. After enduring beatings and threats against himself and his family, Sam will say whatever the authorities want him to say in order to save his family and himself. Julie can’t shake the idea that the truth must be told, no matter what the cost.

This book takes a good hard look at the darker side of human nature. It also examines how the character of people will change during times of war and fear. Beware of the choices you make and how simple words can fuel an unimaginable fire which could consume an entire town.

[Cathe Fein Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical fiction novel geared to teen readers recounts a horrible injustice done to Jews in a Hungarian village. When a young girl disappeared one afternoon, the local Jewish men are accused of having murdered her for a religious ritual. While I appreciate the author's intent of sharing the story of this heartbreaking piece of history, I thought the characters stereotypical and the dialogue mostly unreal--making this just a so-so book for me.

[CRC Washburn]

Very unique choice for a historical fiction novel.

[Corinne Wasilewski · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly predictable plot driven novel with capable writing that reads like a morality lesson, but, lacks emotional depth. I give it 2.5 stars.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decided to take a foray into historical fiction and read about the alienation and misunderstandings about the Jewish population in Hungary during the 1800s..I know extremely different and hey I was intrigued by the ominous black and red cover with the Jewish star and the one word Puppet—you automatically think Holocaust but it’s not that at all …And because it was cataloged in our school library hey I got into it..So in this story you meet Julie, a poor girl with her two friends Sophia and Esther as her only piece of fun in a life of chores and in her case a sick mother and abusive father. Left with little food, lots of responsibilities and no real games except throwing potato skins to form the initials of a boy you should marry --Julie and her friends all have little to look forward to but no one seems as despondent as Esther and so tragically depressed with her circumstances.. After Julie witnesses her mistress talking down and beating her Esther seems even more discouraged and coincidentally is never heard from again -- finding out what happened is the premise of this sad and very tightly written novel and the secretive immigrant Jewish population are the prime suspects in this engaging read that uses easy language to describe so much.
I especially like the young adult writing that is easy to follow and get into with powerful observations on religion and ugly prejudices and how dangerous ignorance can really be when little is known about something:

“The Jews were strangers in our midst. They kept to themselves. They didn’t even speak Hungarian among themselves, only German and their funny-sounding Jew language. They dressed differently from us and always kept their heads covered. Could it be possible they used our blood to make their Easter bread? If they didn’t kill Esther, then who did? The Jews had to be responsible. There was nobody else. The Jews must have killed her.” (Pg. 36)
With the Jewish population completely and blindly judged the only way to prove it is to get witnesses, frightened as they are they choose to interrogate two children and push words of confession in their mouths..The build up scenes to the trial are very engrossing with lessons on how to treat people sprinkled in:
“My ma said there was good and bad people among the Jews, same as everybody else..I don’t understand why so many people hate the Jews.I guess there are some people who need somebody to hate.” (Pg. 96)
This book builds up to a dramatic trial and whether the truth will prevail is what makes this book read so fast and I can definitely see it being a readable addition to any history lesson on racism, standing up for truth and the power of one voice..I enjoyed spending the day with this one..

[Gsmyles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fast read about a court case in the late 1880's against Jews in a small Hungarian village. So infuriating how antisemitism flourished in so many countries for so many years due to ignorance. This book focused on the trial and bamboozlement of the of the witnesses by law enforcement officials and how a Jewish boy turned on his own people when brainwashed. I liked the case, the defense lawyer and the protagonist, Julie. But I really had a hard time understanding Morris and found his character to be nonredeemable.

[Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. Poor writing, overly dramatic in terms of character behavior and speech. Felt like I was reading something a 12 year old wrote. Like it was trying to be deep and all knowing while instead sounding ridiculous. Because of the writing and unbelievable characters, not the true story this is based on.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for a history project and oh my god I loved it so much. Everything about just made me want to cry and gawk and never stop reading it ever again. The only problem I had was that all of the resources were in Hungarian and I can't read Hungarian, so it was really hard to o my project.

[Baxter Cross · Rating 2 out of 5]

A interesting read on jewish prosecution. A lot of old stereotypes are present and demonstrated in negative light. I enjoyed reading it though it did seem to drag on with little increased odds.

I stopped reading it after awhile.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel gets 3 stars because the history is compelling, important, and lesser known (to those of us who aren’t Jewish). The writing—meh. Comes across as for very young readers so you then have a prickly contrast with the disturbing subject matter.

[2R Hussain S]

This is a mysteries, when a girl "Esther" get lost from a small village Hungary. Puppet is a man ho treys to solve that mysterious story. The Ancient and disastrous lie that Jews kill christian children for ritual purposes.

[Reva · Rating 3 out of 5]

scary

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: Many reasons: this is set within my preferred historical era, I enjoy Jewish history, I enjoy 19th century court/trial cases and finally I've read and enjoyed this author before.

Throughout time immemorial until the not so distant past, parents have kept children under control with stories of monsters, evils or persons who enjoy kidnapping and eating children. When I was young the remnant of this survived in the story of the "Bogeyman". This is a sad and horrific story where that fabled evil turned onto a real group of people in a small town in Hungary when a scapegoat was wanted and the villagers turned with a vengeance a mass racism towards the Jews to explain the disappearance of a local Christian girl.

A riveting, spellbinding story based on a true case. One can hardly believe that such mass hysteria can turn once seemingly placid people into violent racists. The author has extensively made use of the actual trial records giving authenticity to the dialogue found within the book. While no one is innocent of bigotry in this story, we see how an initially small group of instigators easily rile up the masses and the methods they use to fuel the fire until it reaches epic proportions and everyone is beyond seeing reason. Examining this type of case can help one see how modern atrocities reach the frenzy they sometimes do.

A brilliant story, with a fantastic main character in the fictional Julie who though she sometimes has doubts, does see beyond the facade and triumphs even against great harm to herself. A page-turning book, as one keeps muttering to oneself how people could actually behave in this deplorable way (and still do) and yet the rays of hope shine through in Julie and a few other characters. A unique look at historical Jewish persecution, that is not about the Holocaust. Recommended.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reason I got Puppet from the library was because it had the star of the Jews on the front, and I assumed it was about the Holocaust, and without even reading the inside flap, I got it. I love books about the Holocaust, and although I hate history class, the Holocaust is the only thing that has ever really interested me. When I got home and realized it wasn't even about the Holocaust, I was actually pretty excited. It was about Jews, but a story about them that I never had heard of.

Puppet is about a girl named Esther who disappears, and the Jews are accused of blood libel, which is when they kill a Christian girl and use her blood in baking. A boy named Morris, who is a jew, is asked about the killing, and he even has to testify against his father. The story is told from the perspective of a young girl named Julie, who was a friend of Esther's.

I LOVED this book! It was something completely different from what I've read. I don't really read anything historical, and the ones that I do read are about the Holocaust. Puppet is actually based on a true story, and the characters' names are almost exactly what the real people's names were in real life. This book actually made me cringe at times, and it was so interesting. I did not have any idea what was going to happen. Pretty much the entire second half of the book takes place in a court room, and I read some people felt that was boring, but I thought it was so interesting. It's where all the drama happens and to see what was going to happen to the Jews. I really recommend this book to anyone. It was SO GOOD, and something I will be thinking about for a while.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a historical fiction set in 1882-83 during the time of the last blood libel trial. A young Christian girl goes missing and the Jewish community are accused of killing her in a ritualistic sacrifice. When a young Jewish boy is threatened and coerced into testifying against his father and his community, only a friend of the victim (a young girl herself) knows the truth. In order for the truth to come out, she will have to go against her family, her friends, and her own community.

This book is based on fact from the actual trial and accusations that happened at the time. The trial and surrounding actions of the community in Hungary during this time gained reaction world-wide, and the trial marked the end of the blood libel trials that happened so frequently. The story of the main character (Julie) is fictional, but it is set against the backdrop of historical reality.

The book was pretty good. I enjoyed how the truth and reality of history was incorporated, right down to the names of the characters and places. It was a good story and kept me interested. The beginning was slow as the story was set up, but after the backdrop was laid, the story got very engaging. Excellent way to tell a very important story.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Puppet takes place in a Hungarian village in the late 1800s. A young servant girl mysteriously disappears and the Jews of the village are the first to be blamed. A Jewish boy named Morris is manipulated by the authorities into testifying against his friends and family, even his own father. This book symbolizes the hardships of the Jewish people throughout history and how they can overcome obstacles.
This book made me think about manipulation and how terrible it is, because Morris was forced into testifying against the Jews and even his own father. The authorities created an image of him so that all the Jews saw him as a traitor, and he almost got his father and the other Jews killed. This is important because it shows how Morris is just like a puppet to the biased authorities. They can control what he says and does and they can voice their opinions through him so they get what they want.
I would definitely recommend this book, especially to someone who is interested in historical fiction or Jewish history. The book is actually based off of a true story and has very interesting elements that make you want to keep reading. Anyone who liked reading Sarah’s Key would also enjoy this book.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simply great story about what we today, perceive as the impossible. This is a fictional story that is set around something that really happened at the turn of the last century, the last blood libel trial in Europe in the 1890's. It was rumoured and believed in Hungary and other eastern European countries at the time, that Jews killed non-Jews to use their blood in the making of mazoh bread. In this story, a young housemaid goes missing and is presumed murdered & the son of a local orthodox Jew, Morris Scharf, is tortured and made to confess that it was indeed his father and his orthodox companions that murdered this missing girl to use her blood. The problem is that eventually the girl's body is discovered and it is revealed that she committed suicide. We see the events leading up to the trial and the trial through the eyes of Julie, a young servant girl who was a friend of the missing maid, and who befriends Morris. It is as compelling a trial as in To Kill a Mockingbird. This is Eva Wiseman's best YA book by far.

[Alyssa Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good. Its about a girl who is about 14, named julia. The story takes place durring the holacoust.Julia has a little sister, a mean dad, and a mother with breast cancer. When Julia's best friend suddently goes missing and her mother dies, Julia's father sends her 4 year old sister off to her aunts house and julia to work in the jail house. Julia's bestfriend is dead and the jews are accused of killing the poor young girl. Julia teams up with the jews because she has a gut feeling about them not killing her friend, the police find her friends body in a lake. The jews were eventually found guilty. While the whole trial is happening, Julia's little sister is at her aunts getting beaten for every little mistake she makes,also JUlias dad is shacking up with some rich lady that she knows her mother would not approve of. This is a great story for everyonne, it teaches you history, love, and the scacrofices you will make to keep your family. it is truely inspireing!

[MissDziura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Puppet is a historical novel written for mature young adult readers because it tells of the last blood libel trial in Europe. The story is about standing up for what is right even if it means ones life. Julie's friend Esther goes missing and in their Czech town the immediate reason given by Esther's mom and other bigoted members of the town was that she was taken by the Jews as a sacrifice. They believed she was killed ritualistically for he blood to make the matozh. The story has heartbreaking parts especially concerning a son of one of the accused who points the finger at his own father after being convinced that being Jewish was a bad thing. I think that a reader of this book has to be mature enough to understand the historical context, otherwise they may take the anti-Sematic feelings of some fo the characters as justified when it really should not be. A very engaging read.

[Cornmaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very strong portrayal of 19th century Europe (Hungary) and the entrenchment of anti-Semitism. This story was based on an actual case, and the trial within the story is based on the actual court records. I liked the unfolding of the hatred towards Jews, and an attentive reader will see clearly the seeds for the Holocaust, all within this event.

The protagonist, not a Jew, must make a decision to tell the truth and defend the Jewish people of her village, knowing she may be betraying the family of the victim by inferring a different reason for her demise, and knowing that her own father may kill her. Literally. The climax is very tense. Readers will be exposed to 19th pogroms, domestic abuse, the destructiveness of mob frenzy, bravery, and more.

[Bad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puppet, is a very powerful story, based on actual events. It details just how cruel and unjust human hearts can be, and how blind hatred is. I was very impressed at how straightforward the author was about how foolish and wicked Christianity has been throughout the centuries. The story is about a young girl who’s friend mysteriously vanishes. In no time, the town becomes total madness. For no reason whatsoever, they all leap to the ridiculous assumption that the Jewish citizens have murdered the child. The law then takes a Jewish family into custody and convinces the son to lie to the courts through severe beatings and empty promises… It is truly tragic, especially being based on actual events.

[Emma Boxx · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I didn't know what to expect when I found it in the Teen/Young Adult section at the library. I felt that that main character, Julie, was having a hard time but stayed strong. She cared for her very sick mother, cared for her sister Clara, and did so much for her father even though he was very hurtful and mean. I could understand that Julie was scared to ask her father things because he would beat her if she asked for things such as money for food. The characters in the book that were my favorite ones were, Clara, Julie, Mr. Eotvos, Theresa, and Mother (Clara and Julie's mom). I think this was an interesting historical-fiction book. It was very powerful.

[Pamela Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great historical fiction book about a topic that isn't written on all that much. It focuses on the blood libel trial in Hungary in the late 1800s, when Jews were accused of killing Christian children for their blood. This story is told from the perspective of a young girl whose best friend goes missing. Everyone blames the Jews, and the authorities create a whole false story, threatening and beating a young Jewish boy to lie and turn against his own people. I liked the story, but it was a little slow and not all that exciting. If it was any longer, I don't know that I would have kept my interest, but thankfully it was pretty short.

[Elizabeth Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

The terrible trial of innocent Jews is pushed forward as a young Jewish boy is forced to testify that several Jewish men are responsible for the death of a Christian servant girl. I respect Wiseman's writing as she focused on a historical fiction story of such a tragedy. I found myself hurrying through the book to discover if yet another travesty had befallen such a persecuted religious group. I had never heard of this trial or the implications of it. However, I feel enlightened to more of the ever present hate that tends to follow this poor group of God-fearers. It amazes me at the way these people have triumphed over such great odds through the years.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...When I read The Last Song by Wiseman, I was impressed with her ability to fictionalize such awful and tragic historical events in a way that is engrossing without trivializing them. I was just as captivated with Puppet. This book won multiple awards, and it's not hard to see why; I read the majority of this book in one night...While this book is marketed as juvenile fiction, I would recommend it for adult readers of historical fiction as well..."

For full review, please visit me at Here Be Bookwyrms on Blogger:

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[Nora Peevy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great YA novel chronicling a very sad event in Hungary's history. The story moves quickly and sheds light on the hatred and treatment of Jews, in the late 1800s. Hopefully, anyone that reads this, will remember an ugly part of history and choose to never repeat it. The mob mentality in this story reminds me of the Salem witch trials. The main female character in the book, Julie, is a model of integrity, strength, and determination. I think everyone should read this book. And it would be a wonderful novel to teach in middle school and high school English classes.

[Sabine Dominique · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical book, though not entirely nonfictional, regarding the myth of Jews kidnapping and blooding Christian children. I had moments of annoyance, especially reading what happened in the courtroom. I contradicted myself by wanting the Jews on trial to give up on Morris, but at the same time I wished Morris would tell the truth. Something about this book, though while good, felt off in a way.